Curran brace sees Devon close the gap on city rivals

Longford Town 1SD Galway 2

The signs had been good in recent weeks – two very good performances against the top two teams in the table instilled confidence in the SD squad who travelled to Longford on Saturday night. That confidence was justified as the visitors came away with a well deserved victory to close the gap at on city rivals Mervue United to three points the foot of the table with two games remaining.

This was a game that SD controlled from the outset, with neat passing movements and a back four that easily snuffed out any threat.The visitors took the lead after 11 minutes when Colm Horgan chased an over-hit cross. It looked to be a lost cause, but Horgan kept the ball in play and found Brian Gaffney, whose sublime pass was coolly lobbed to the net by Enda Curran.

Longford did try to up their game and get back in it, but this SD side have learned in recent weeks how to command a game when on top. The midfield engine room of Willie Enubele and Mixie Harty once more showed tremendous energy and no little skill as they dominated the exchanges in the opening half.

SD Galway continued to threaten and a half chance fell to Gaffney after 36 minutes, but a desperate defence managed to scramble it clear. Longford’s only real chance in the first half was a Tony Griffiths shot which was well dealt with by James Keane.

The early second half exchanges saw Enda Curran and Thomas Crawley both have chances, but the respective keepers were up to the job, but Curran did find the net again just before the hour mark when he aced through and stroked the ball to the net past an almost bemused Craig Hyland in the home goal.

Nine minutes later the home side raised some hopes when half-time substitute Alan Kirby cracked in a wonder goal. However a Longford revival was not on the cards on this occasion and while they had two other good chances, the excellent Keane was equal to both efforts. In fact it was SD Galway who pressed on late in the game and were full value for their win.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.