By Brian McMahon
Longford Town 1 Bohemians 4
15/12/01: Stephen Kenny’s reign as Bohemians boss got off to a flying start at his old stomping ground of Flancare Park tonight, as his new charges romped past his former employers, Longford Town, 4-1 in the second round of the Carlsberg FAI Cup.
Kenny was forced to watch the match from the stands after a court order prevented him from appearing on the touchline. As the newly-appointed Bohs man made his way up to his seat, he was given a warm standing ovation from both sets of supporters.
Tonight’s match was a replay of last season’s final, Bohs having won that one 1-0 back in May. This evening’s encounter however, was not quite as evenly contested.
Bohs rarely looked in trouble, and were ahead as early as the ninth minute, Tony Folan bundling home after a messy goalmouth scramble.
The visitors then doubled their lead after only 20 minutes when Trevor Molloy was on hand to head home a Stephen Caffrey drive that came back off the crossbar.
Longford rarely looked like threatening, and it was Bohs who went into the break well on top, after their top scorer Glen Crowe headed home their third.
In the second half, Bohs sat deep and soaked up what little pressure Longford could throw at them. The home side did get some reward for their efforts with just five minutes to go, when Alan Kirby netted a consolation.
But again Bohemians responded, and killed the game off completely when Crowe added a fourth two minutes later to progress to the third round.