Longford’s Gillespie enjoys winning start

FROM the heights of St James’s Park, Old Trafford and international football, to a midlands derby in the Airtricity First Division, Keith Gillespie has seen soccer at all levels in his interesting career.

The 36-year-old made his debut as a sub for Longford Town in their 2-0 victory over Athlone Town on Saturday night after being out of the game for a while but showed he is still hungry for action.

“When you’ve been out of the game for three and a half months, it’s difficult at times,” he said.

“Certainly I’m looking forward to every game now and enjoyed tonight. It’s nice to be in a winning dressing room. If you’re in a wining dressing room everyone is happy, the banter is good and it breeds confidence and it goes out on to the pitch. Hopefully we can continue that winning mentality.

“That’s the first half an hour in three and a half months. I could have gone on longer. I actually didn’t want it to end.

“I was looking up at the clock thinking ‘we’re nearly finished now’. It’s nice when you’re in that state of mind where you want it to go on.”

With his side 2-0 up, manager Tony Cousins called on Gillespie’s experience to see the game out.

Gillespie added: “The main thing was three points. It was nice for the defence to keep a clean sheet. We’re sitting second and we can push on from here.”

“Obviously I’ve got the experience of playing across the water. Even when I came on Tony said to me to get on the ball and keep it.

“We went through a period where we didn’t keep the ball enough. At 2-0 up it’s still a precarious position because you concede one goal and they’re back in the game.”

The result pushed his side up to second behind leaders Shels.

In the other First Division clash played on Saturday night, Waterford Untied beat Salthill Devon 2-0 with their third win in a row.