LONGFORD TOWN ARE the SSE Airtricity League Division 1 champions after tonight’s resounding 5- 0 win over Shamrock Rovers B
Tony Cousins’ side needed a win to seal promotion as champions and they showed in no mood to leave the 2187 fans waiting, Gary Shaw opening the scoring after just four minutes.
Don Cowan showed his speed off the mark as he capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake on 20 minutes to double the lead and brighten the spirits of everyone involved with the club as the rain battered down in the City Calling Stadium.
With six minutes Town had their fate as good as sealed, Shaw getting the final touch to claim his second from another dangerous Rhys Gorman set-piece.
Cowan joined Shaw on a brace just two minutes after the break as the home side started as they meant to go on again, the striker again pouncing on a loose ball in and around the six-yard box.
The rout was completed after 62 minutes; David O’Sullivan having initially been denied by a fine save, turned in a cross from Cowan to ensure the final half hour in Longford would be a procession as they began planning for the Premier division.
Elsewhere, Padraic Cunningham’s 86th minute goal at Tolka Park denied second-place Shelbourne victory.
Dylan Connolly curled in a magnificent opener for Shels midway through the first half, but they were forced to hang on after Brian Gannon’s red card for a handball on the goal-line. Ryan Manning missed spurned the resulting penalty chance and Galway were made to wait for the goal that would earn a 1 – 1 draw and a point.
In the night’s other Division one fixture, Waterford United came from a goal down to take all three points at home to Cobh Ramblers.
Kevin Burns’ early own-goal had given the visitors the lead, but 15 minutes from time Thomas Croke hit back and Mark Walsh completed the comeback with three minutes to go.
