Longford Town got their Eircom League Premier Division campaign off to the perfect start with a hugely impressive and deserved victory over Cork City at Flancare Park yesterday afternoon.
Alan Kirby caused havoc for the Cork midfield and he fired Longford Town in front after 28 minutes. Having spotted Cork keeper Michael Devine off his line, the former Waterford player produced a finish right out of the top drawer.
Four minutes later Kirby's well-delivered right wing cross hit the unfortunate Derek Coughlan before bouncing into the visitors' net.
Town extended their advantage in the 34th minute after Wes Byrne crossed for local lad Henry Kenny to head past Devine.
The last five minutes of the game proved most eventful. First Kenny supplied a superb pass for Kirby, who made it 4-0 in the 85th minute.
Three minutes later James Mulligan capitalised on a rare mistake from Longford defender Alan Murphy to grab his first goal of the season. The game ended on a sour note for Longford when substitute Stuart Holt was red-carded by referee John McDermott.
Longford Town: O'Brien, Murphy, W Byrne, McNally, Smith, Prunty, S Byrne, Reynolds, Kirby, Kenny, Lavine. Subs: Gavin for Prunty 64 mins, V Perth for Kirby 86 mins, Holt for Kenny 87 mins.
Cork City: Devine, Napier, Horgan, O'Rourke, Coughlan, O'Grady, Cahill, Flanagan, Mulligan, Hartigan, O'Brien. Subs: O'Flynn for Hartigan 40 mins, Herrick for Horgan 42 mins, Morley for Flanagan 56 mins
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin)
