Frank Darby was the toast of Longford on Saturday night as his goal sent the home side through to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup.
Longford manager Michael O'Connor has seen his side's season transformed in the last four weeks. Four unbeaten games behind them in the cup and two victories in the First Division Shield mean that Longford are unbeaten in 1998. Longford were second best for most of the first half, but they upped the tempo after the interval and were much the superior side in a far more entertaining second half. The all-important goal came 12 minutes in - Frank Darby nipping in behind the visitors defence to slam the ball home from close range.
Longford could have added a few more before the finish, but were denied by bad finishing and good goalkeeping. It could have gone horribly wrong for Longford in the closing minutes as goalkeeper Anthony Keenan was sent to the line for handling outside the area. Longford replaced him with striker Alan Doherty and the Louth GAA star played his part in the exciting closing moments.
LONGFORD TOWN: Keenan, Malone, Lennon, Darby, Murphy, Frawley, Hardy, Rooney, Doherty, Dunleavy, Toland. Subs: Larkin for Toland (half-time), Kenny for Lennon (53 mins), Gannon for Dunleavy (84 mins).
WHITEHALL RANGERS: Matthews, D Herron, Hughes, Woods, Collins, McEnroe, J Herron, O'Kelly, Revins, Coleman, Hitchcock. Sub: Reddell for J Herron (28 mins).
Referee: D Meier (Dublin).
