Longford hit the wall - December 16, 2000
Galway United 1 Longford Town 0
Longford Town's brave title challenge is beginning to run out of steam after successive defeats to St. Pat's and now Galway.
The Premier newboys have struggled at home all season, mainly because the gluepot Strokestown Road pitch doesn't suit their neat passing game. Usually they look forward to their travels - but on this occasion Terryland was even worse and Galway United made the better of it.
The home side had most of he possession but chances were few and far between, the goalkeepers only having to make one serious save each - Davey Forde having to adjust quickly to parry a deflected Stuart Byrne shot and Stephen O'Brien dealing well with a good Scott Morgan free kick.
In the end it fell to Galway teenager Alan Murphy to break the deadlock with his debut senior goal. Stephen Grant challenged O'Brien for a cross and the 'keeper was forced to punch away - but the ball dropped kindly for Murphy, whose shot found its way through all the legs plus the mud and just about made it over the line.
Galway United: Forde, Crossley, Silke, Burke, Morgan, Ryan, Sheridan, Murphy, O'Brien, Lavine, Grant
Subs: Malee for Ryan 84
Goal: Murphy 59
Booked: Ryan, Morgan
Longford Town: O'Brien, Murphy, Smith, McNally, Coyle, Gavin, Kelly, S Byrne, Notaro, O'Connor, Zellor
Subs: V Perth for Kelly 72, Farrell for Notaro 72, H Kenny for Zellor 81
Booked: Coyle, Smith, Gavin, O'Connor
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork)