Longford Town FC prepare for the 2023 season
First league fixture v Athlone Town at Bishopsgate on Saturday February 18
Stephen, who has former St Pat's, Sligo, Derry City and Glentoran player Gavin Peers as his assistant, has to basically work from a completely new squad as most of last year's team have gone elsewhere.
Only four players from last season's squad - Shane Elworthy, Cristian Magerusan, the Verdon brothers Sam and Adam have re-signed this season and goalkeeper Jack Brady is back with the club after being with Treaty United last season.
Derek Daly is one of the most experienced of the new arrivals, having played with Chesterfield, Sheffield, Waterford, Bray, Athlone Town and most recently Crumlin United.
Midfielder Viktor Serdeniuk is another new signing, from Shamrock Rovers, having previously played with FC Chornomorets Odessa in his homeland Ukraine. Jamal Ibrahim is a striker who has joined the club from Shelbourne. He was in the Shels squad last season and he could make a big impact in the forthcoming season. Next week we will do a full run down on the full squad as there are still positions to be filled.
To date the Town have played three pre-season friendlies. The first game was against the club's under 19 squad and the game ended 1-1.
The second game was played away to UCD and that game ended 2-2 after a very competitive game. Derek Daly and Cristian Magerusan scored.
On Saturday evening last the Town played host to Damien Duff's Shelbourne. This was a great workout for the Town who used their full panel during the game. The starting line-up was: Jack Brady, Shane Elworthy, Derek Daly, Trialist C, Oisin Hand, Joshua Giurgi, Cristian Magerusan, Sam Verdon (C), Viktor Serdeniuk, Trialist A, Darragh Lynch. Subs:- Harrington (GK), A Verdon, Meaney, Ibrahim, Fay, Trialist B, O'Connor, Campbell, Farrell.
The visitors won 2-0 but this result wasn't a true indication of how the Town played. Friendly games are supposed to be friendly but surprisingly some of the tackles were a bit over the top especially from the Shels centre forward who was lucky to be left on the field of play after some very poor tackles.
On Saturday next Longford Town play Bohemians with a 12 noon kick-off at a venue to be confirmed. The Town are away to Crumlin United in the first round of the Leinster Senior Cup at a venue to be decided. Game on Monday.
The Leinster Senior Cup games are usually used to try out players but this is the first time it has taken place since before Covid. Crumlin are one of the top sides in the Leinster Senior League and they will be a tough nut to crack.
Start of new season
The new season for the First Division will kick-off on the week ending February 19. We open our season with a Midlands derby at Bishopsgate and supporters will not have to be reminded of Athlone's last visit to Bishopsgate when we lost to the neighbouring rivals.
Saturday, February 18: Longford Town v Athlone Town at Bishopsgate, kick-off 7.30pm.
Season tickets
There has been a massive uptake on season tickets this year and season tickets can still be purchased from the club.
Lotto News
The winning numbers in last week's Lotto (23/1/2023) were as follows: 11, 17, 18, 21. No jackpot winners. Lucky dip winners 50 euro Seamus Vaughan, 25 euro Conor McEvoy, 25 euro Liam Doherty. The club would like to send get well wishes to one of our most dedicated sellers for many years, Pat Devine, who has been recently hospitalised. Looking forward to seeing you out and about soon Pat.
CAR BOOT SALE
on Bank Holiday Monday next,
February 6 at
Bishopsgate
Gates open at 5am
Come early to get a good position