20-07-2025
FAI Cup: Longford Town edge Castlebar Celtic in nine-goal thriller
Longford Town progressed to the second round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup at the expense of a brave Castlebar Celtic outfit, emerging 6-3 winners at Celtic Park.
A big crowd at the Mayo venue witnessed six first-half goals.
Town's Daragh Murtagh bagged a hat-trick, while Mark Cunningham, Eoghan Hughes and former Sligo Rovers striker Jordan Loftus were on target for the home side to go in 3-3 at the break.
The Connacht side defended stoutly in the second period but Longford eventually broke them down in the final 15 minutes, scoring three times.
Dean George slid the ball under Stefan Hester on 75 minutes, while Francis Campbell hit a fifth in the final minute of normal time.
