Byrne fires Longford into final of play-offs
LONGFORD TOWN will meet Galway United in the League of Ireland First Division play-off final next Friday after both sides came through their semi-finals yesterday.
In a dramatic game at a blustery Belfield Bowl, Dean Byrne scored in added time at the end of extra time to secure a 3-2 win for Longford over UCD.
The students had been on top through Colm Whelan’s header on 18 minutes and held that lead until the 90th minute when Joe Gorman headed in from Byrne’s corner to send the game to extra time.
Yousef Mahdy put the home side ahead again on 110 minutes before Gorman equalised again four minutes later.
It looked like penalties were next as the game headed into a minute of added time at the end of the extra 30 minutes, but Byrne dramatically fired in through the packed goalmouth to break UCD hearts.
UCD went ahead after 18 minutes of this cracking game when Whelan got his head to Paul Doyle’s free-kick and directed the ball beyond Lee Steacy’s reach into the bottomleft corner.
Whelan had the ball in the net again on 37 minutes from a Doyle free-kick but this time his effort was ruled out for offside.
There were plenty of chances for both sides in an end-to-end second half and UCD were looking on course to win before Gorman pounced in the last minute of normal time.
However, Mahdy handed UCD the advantage before Gorman levelled again as he rose highest at the back post to nod past Lorcan Healy with six minutes to go.
Byrne then lashed in a terrific shot as the clock ticked onto 121 minutes to send Town through.
Meanwhile, at the Carlisle Grounds, Galway United substitute Wilson Waweru scored on 81 minutes to secure his side’s place in the play-off final against Longford as they overcame Bray Wanderers.
Waweru pounced on an error by Bray goalkeeper Brian Maher, who spilled the ball to his feet, and took full advantage to poke home.
The winners of the play-off final will proceed to a single-leg decider with the ninth-placed Premier Division side – currently Finn Harps – for a place in next year’s Premier Division.