Will Longford Town Finally Break the Drought? Kerry FC’s Bishopsgate Challenge Awaits!

Longford Town are set to host Kerry FC this Saturday evening at Bishopsgate, with the clash kicking off at 7:30 PM. Currently, Longford sit at the bottom of the First Division table, trailing Finn Harps only on goal difference. They face a rapidly improving Kerry side, who find themselves in 6th place with four points to their name. After last week’s narrow 1-0 home defeat to Bray, Kerry's manager Conor McCarthy expressed his frustration over the referee's decisions, which he claimed thwarted their chances of earning a few penalties. This sentiment is echoed by many in the league who have raised concerns about the standard of officiating, which seems to go unchecked by those at the helm in Abbotstown. A die-hard supporter aptly noted that while players are scrutinised for their errors, refereeing faults appear to escape punishment. Kerry, now in their third year in the league, have shown admirable improvement, increasing their points from 10 in their inaugural season to 27 last year. Unfortunately, Longford only managed to edge them out in the standings, a fact that remains a sore point for the club's loyal followers. There’s word going around about a substantial benefactor assisting Kerry financially, a luxury not all clubs enjoy. The visitors have bolstered their lineup this season, notably acquiring German goalkeeper Hiemer from Finn Harps, who made a solid impact before an injury last week against Bray. They boast several quality players including Sean McGrath, Sean O'Connell, Cian Brosnan, and last season's top scorer, Ryan Kelliher, who is likely out for the match due to injury. Kerry kicked off their season with a strong 2-0 win over Finn Harps and followed it up with a scoreless draw against Cobh, then fell just short to league leaders Dundalk, losing 1-0. Last season showcased a competitive edge between the teams, with Kerry clinching victory twice and Longford once, while another match ended in a stalemate. The Town came into last week’s game against Cobh confident after their performance against Athlone, where they felt they dropped valuable points. Missing Daniel Norris due to injury proved costly, with Joshua Giurgi stepping in. Confidence appears to be wavering within the squad, and it's imperative for management to address these issues if they aspire to climb the table. With promising attendance at home games and a determined fanbase, there's hope that last Friday’s defeat was merely a blip, and that a renewed spirit will propel Longford to victory against Kerry this Saturday in what promises to be a crucial fight for both sides. SSE Airtricity League First Division Longford Town v Kerry FC at Bishopsgate Saturday, March 15: kick-off 7:30 PM - Resource: "https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/soccer/1751422/longford-town-seek-first-win-as-kerry-fc-come-to-bishopsgate.html