Cup night: Longford go for glory - February 27,
2001
St. Pat's v Longford 19:45
Premier new boys Longford Town and St. Pat's meet head-on tonight off the back of excellent weekend wins. The Saints had that amazing 4-1 destruction of leaders Shelbourne, while Longford rediscovered their winning form with a 2-0 victory over UCD.
It was Pat's who started Longford's dip in form before Christmas. The Midlands team stood to take over at the top of the premier division if they beat the Saints at home: instead the Dubliners came away with a 3-1 win.
Just two wins in the following two months saw Longford slip back into mid-table anonymity and ended their hopes of securing a European place with a high league finish.
In contrast, St. Pat's have hauled themselves up to second place and closing on Shelbourne. They have some silver on the sideboard - the League Cup - and don't need the FAI Cup to get them into Europe.
That's why Longford will be better motivated - that and the need to avenge that earlier 3-1 defeat at Flancare.
Strikers Keith O'Connor and Shay Zellor are missing again but, encouragingly for Longford, Stuart Byrne rediscovered his goal touch against UCD.
The Midlanders' pint-sized defence will have to be big and strong at set-pieces - but with Colm Foley again doubtful for the Saints, part of that threat is dissipated.
Paul Osam is also a doubt - he would be a loss - as is substitute Michael Holt.