Rovers too strong for a brave Longford
Shamrock Rovers 3 Longford Town 0
Shamrock Rovers booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FAI Ford Cup with a commanding victory over Longford Town.
After goalkeeper Barry Murphy denied Longford striker David O’Sullivan on 24 minutes after Gary Shaw had profited from a mistimed Robert Bayly pass, Rovers punished their second-tier opponents by breaking the deadlock themselves.
Fine approach work by Dean Kelly and Karl Sheppard provided the platform for Seán O’Connor to finish impressively beyond the reach of Town’s Paul Hunt from an awkward left-angle.
Volley
Gary McCabe doubled their lead nine minutes before the interval, with a volley from the edge of the box.
Longford were left with a mountain to climb but although the pace of right-winger Don Cowan offered them a useful attacking outlet, they could not break down a well-organised Hoops rearguard.
The introduction of Peter Hynes and ex-Rovers attacker Lorcan Shannon ensured Longford maintained with their challenge but despite losing O’Connor to a second yellow card five minutes from time, Rovers capped off a fine display when home debutant Patrick Cregg’s composure in front of goal produced a third in stoppage-time.
Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; Madden, McGuinness, Kenna, D O’Connor; McCabe (Waters, 65), Bayly (Cregg, 73), McPhail, S O’Connor; Sheppard, Kelly (Kilduff, 82).
Longford Town: Hunt; Haverty, Sullivan, Flynn, G O’Connor (Mulhall, 77); Cowan, Rice, Gorman, K O’Connor (Shannon, 69); Shaw (Hynes, 65), D O’Sullivan.
Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).