Hoops stay in touch - February 19,
2001
Shamrock Rovers 3 Longford 1
Shamrock Rovers stayed very much in touch in the race for a Euro place with an ultimately comfortable win over Longford Town. Rovers now lie fourth, level on points with St. Pat's and just a point behind second-placed Bohs.
More importanly, the Hoops are now three points ahead of fifth-placed Bray, while this latest defeat was probably terminal as far as Longford's own European ambitions were concerned.
It was Longford who struck first, though - Keith O'Connor pouncing on 17 minutes after 'keeper Robbie Horgan could only parry Niall Byrne's stinging shot from a free kick.
Rovers were quickly back on terms, when Billy Woods arrived on cue to connect powerfully with Sean Francis' cross. But after that the home team endured a nervous half an hour as the excellent Stephen O'Brien in the Longford goal kept them at bay.
O'Brien produced a string of key saves, none more dramatic than his 53rd-minute penalty stop from Francis. But he was merely postponing the inevitable and once the walls finally crumbled, Rovers eased away to win with something to spare.
It was Terry Palmer who made the breakthrough on 70 minutes. The big centre back trundled up for a Shane Robinson corner and rose highest to beat O'Brien with a header.
Ten minutes later the Hoops wedged a slice of daylight into the scoreline when Francis played in Tony Grant, who nutmegged O'Brien.
Longford should have pulled back a consolation right at the death when Shay Zellor fired high of an open goal, but it wouldn't have made any difference.
Shamrock Rovers: Horgan, Vaudequin, Woods, Cronin, Palmer, Colwell, Deans, Robinson, Francis, Grant, B Byrne
Subs: Daly for Colwell 78
Goals: Woods 35, Palmer 70, Grant 80
Longford Town: O'Brien, Murphy, W Byrne, V Perth, Smith, McNally, Prunty, S Byrne, O'Connor, N Byrne, Gavin
Subs: Zellor for O'Connor 59, Notaro for Gavin 62, Kelly for Perth 70
Goal: O'Connor 17
Booked: Murphy, S Byrne
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)