NATIONAL LEAGUE/Longford 1 Shamrock Rovers 2: Shamrock Rovers have been struggling on and off the field in recent times, but their worries were eased somewhat with this victory over FAI Cup finalists Longford Town at Flancare Park last night.
In a game of - yes - two halves, Longford were dominant in the first period, but Eric Lavine and Vinnie Perth missed gilt-edged opportunities to give the home side a half-time lead.
Rovers were much improved on the resumption and could have scored a hatfull of goals. Trevor Molloy was certainly his side's hero. He side-footed the Hoops in front just two minutes after half-time following some excellent play from Tony Grant.
Molloy then created and scored Rovers' second. His endline cross was handled inside the area by Longford defender Brian McGovern, and the striker sent Michael Dempsey the wrong way with the resulting penalty.
Longford came back into the contest in the closing stages and Shane Barrett threw them a lifeline just eight minutes from time with an opportunist strike.
But Longford could not find another route to goal.
LONGFORD TOWN: Dempsey, Alan Murphy, Dillon, McGovern, Perth, Keogh, Kirby, Gartland, Lavine, Francis, Prunty. Subs: Barrett for Prunty (70 min); Mulvihill for Kirby (79 min); Adrian Murphy for Lavine (79 min).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd, Gough, Deans, Colwell, Palmer, McGuinness, Robinson, T Grant, Molloy, Reynolds, S Grant. Subs: Fitzpatrick for Molloy (81 min); Tracey for Reynolds (90 min).
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
Tony Meaney, who scored the equaliser in their final league game against Athlone Town to give Limerick United only their second League title in 1970, died suddenly at his home on Sunday evening.
Eleven years later he helped Limerick to collect their second FAI Cup trophy, beating Bohemians 1-0 in the final at Dalymount Park, having also starred in the 1970 final in a 3-0 win over Drogheda, after a replay.
Meaney started his League of Ireland career at the Markets Field under the management of Paddy Coad in 1967 and went on to play in the European Cup and European Cup Winners Cup.
Aged 52, he was involved in the licensed trade in Limerick.
