Longford hit late winner

FAI National League Premier Division: Shamrock Rovers - 2 Longford Town - 2 Shamrock Rovers' return to domestic action after their European adventure ended in disappointment last night when they went down to Longford Town at Richmond Park.

Liam Buckley's side looked set to earn a point when substitute Trevor Molloy raced clear to make it 2-2 with only 10 minutes left. But Philip Keogh snatched a dramatic late winner for Longford, firing home from six yards in the 83rd minute.

Things had looked bright for Rovers when Tony Grant put them ahead on 37 minutes, only for Alan Kirby to level three minutes later.

The Hoops were facing an uphill struggle when Brian McGovern put Longford ahead eight minutes into the second half.

However, Molloy's cool finish looked like earning a point only for Keogh to have the final say seven minutes from time.

A game that had struggled to provide any real serious goalmouth action suddenly exploded into life in the final eight minutes of the opening half, with two goals in the space of three minutes.

Rovers were first to strike with that lead goal after 37 minutes. A deep Shane Robinson cross was headed back into the danger area by Steven Grant for his namesake Tony Grant to head what was only his second league goal of the season.

However, the advantage would prove to be short-lived as Longford were quickly back on terms when Kirby jinked his way through the Rovers rearguard before calmly picking his spot past Barry Ryan.

Before that late first-half flurry Longford had looked the more threatening outfit, especially in the very early stages.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Ryan, Gough, Keddy, Colwell, Palmer, Byrne, Robinson, T Grant, Fitzpatrick, Reynolds, S Grant. Subs: Deans for Reynolds (50); Molloy for Fitzpatrick (66); Treacy for Colwell (90).

LONGFORD TOWN: Dempsey, Murphy, Dillon, McGovern, Ferguson, Keogh, Kirby, Sheridan, Lavine, Barrett, Prunty. Subs: Perth for Sheridan (68); Francis for Lavine (77); Mulvihill for Barrett (88);

Referee: Damian Hancock (Dublin).