Report by Kyle Kane
Sunday 3rd November 2024
MU17 Tier Two Shield Final
Longford Town 1-0 Athlone Town
There was a large crowd in attendance at Bishopsgate on Sunday afternoon as Longford Town’s MU17 side claimed a one-nil victory against Athlone Town to secure the EA Sports LOI Academy Men’s Under 17 Tier Two League Title.
Both teams were stuck in from the start of the game with it being an end to end game for the first twenty minutes. Longford Town had the best chance of the opening quarter, a quick free kick found Dylan Frawley whose attempt just trickled wide of the Athlone goal. However De Town were awarded for their attempts in the 26th minute, a quick move into the path of Emmanuel Mensah was met by a sharp turn by the young player who raced down on the Athlone goal and made no mistake slotting into the net to put Conor Frawley’s men ahead. Athlone Town responded by threatening Longford goalkeeper Matthew Onome but no attempts were too good for the keeper. Athlone did come close from a corner before the end but the Longford Town Goalkeeper stood tall to the inswinging corner.
Both teams came flying out of the traps in the second half with the game becoming very open between the parks. Mantas Stokus went close early in the second half for De Town but it was never troubling the Athlone goal. Longford goalkeeper Matthew Onome was called into action in the 62nd minute, a through ball was played into the path of the Athlone striker however his low effort was made by an excellent foot save by the keeper. Athlone began piling on the chances in a last-ditch attempt to get an equaliser before the end of time, but De Town were to have another chance in the 80th minute, Jacob Flood Norton ran through on goal from a loose ball and the large crowd of Bishopsgate thought he had scored when the ball just trickled wide having beaten the defender and goalkeeper. Athlone had two more chances in them which forced De Town’s goalkeeper into a marvellous save that kept the score at 1-0 to Longford.
Celebrations erupted as the Full Time whistle went as Longford Town had won the EA Sports LOI Academy Under 17 Tier Two League, credit must go to Athlone Town who put up an excellent showing and a brilliant end of the season in their Tier Two North Group which got them to the final stage.
FAI High Performance Coach Mark Connors, FAI Professional Chamber Member Caroline Rhatigan and FAI Academy National Co-Ordinator Pat Duffy were on hand to present the trophy and medals to Longford Town. Captain James McHugh was announced Man Of The Match and accepted the trophy before lifting it with the squad.
Massive congratulations to Conor Frawley, Conor Peck, Bren O’Callaghan, Denis O’Brien & the players on an excellent season.
