Galway United hit Longford Town for six in FAI Cup second round

UP FOR THE CUP: Galway United manager John Caulfield celebrates. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Galway United 6 Longford Town 0

Longford Town plumbed new depths in a difficult season as they meekly exited the FAI Cup against old rivals Galway United.

The mismatch was stark and United wasted little time in pressing home against their advantage.

Both Maurice Nugent and Patrick Hickey spurned early chances. Nonetheless, the home team were 2-0 up after 13 minutes. Francely Lomboto blasted home after being afforded time and space in the visitor’s box.

Maurice Nugent tucked home the second after Jack McCarthy failed to claim or clear a corner from Conor McCormack.

The third came in the 25th minute, Patrick Hickey being credited for a goal that crept in from another McCormack corner.

Longford somehow survived the remainder of the half unscathed as United squandered a host of chances that were created at will.

There was little relent in the second with an early passage exemplifying the malaise for Midlanders. Lomboto was indulged with time and space again. His shot was parried, Jimmy Keohane hit the post with a rebound before Hickey blasted over.

United won each ball with minimal fuss and the pattern continued as they dominated in every department. The inevitable fourth came from the spot when David Hurley dispatched after Hickey was hauled down.

Keohane got his first for his new club when he was slipped in by fellow new arrival Junior Ozukwe for the pick of the goals and 5-0.

Exciting youngster Kyle Fitzgerald wowed the crowd in the last 30 minutes and showed speed and trickery on the left that Lomboto headed off the bar.

Longford could not muster a response for the 25 or so hardy souls that made the journey west. McCarthy did make a good save from Junior late on to stem the damage but it was cold comfort as the striker scored five minutes later to complete the rout.

Galway United: Clarke; Horgan, Buckley, Brouder (Slevin 45), Burns; Keohane (O’ Keeffe 70), Hickey (Borden 61), McCormack (Hurley 29), Nugent (Fitzgerald 61), Lomboto; Uzokwe.

Longford Town: McCarthy; Elworthy, Lennox, O’ Shea (Hery 57), O’ Connor; Campbell (Lotefa 81), Yoro, Serdeniuk, Topcu (Chambers 57), Wixted (Fay 70); James (Adeyemo 70).

Referee: David Dunne.