Longford Town 0
Shamrock Rovers 2
PAT FENLON’S POSITIVE start to life as Shamrock Rovers manager continued tonight at the City Calling Stadium in Longford.
First-half goals from Sean O’Connor and Kieran Waters sealed a 2-0 win for Rovers, who began their campaign last weekend with an important home victory against Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic.
Gary Shaw almost gave Longford Town an early lead tonight, before O’Connor and Danny North both went close for the visitors.
But the breakthrough for Rovers did come in the 24th minute when O’Connor’s left-footed effort from just outside the box went beyond the reach of Longford goalkeeper Paul Hunt.
Longford had a penalty claim waved away by referee Padraigh Sutton shortly afterwards when Shaw appeared to be brought down by Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Craig Hyland.
But the Hoops doubled their advantage four minutes before the break. North dispossessed former Rovers player Pat Flynn and teed up Kieran Waters, who evaded two Longford defenders before firing home.
Rovers had a third goal disallowed in the second-half when David Webster’s attempt was ruled out for a foul on a Longford defender, but it mattered little as Rovers closed out a two-goal win that sees them join Dundalk, Drogheda United and Bohemians on maximum points with two games played.
LONGFORD TOWN: Paul Hunt; Jamie Mulhall, William Tyrell (Mark Rossiter, 70), Pat Flynn, Conor Powell; Gary Shaw, Kevin O’Connor, Mark Salmon (Rhys Gorman, 83), Stephen Rice, Martin Deady (Don Cowan, HT); David O’Sullivan.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, David Webster, Conor Kenna, Luke Byrne; Gary McCabe, Keith Fahey, Stephen McPhail, Sean O’Connor (Mikey Drennan, 66), Kieran Waters; Danny North (Ryan Brennan, 82).
Referee: Padraigh Sutton.
