Gareth Cronin was a very happy man after the full time whistle in Flancare Park. Hoarse from all the shouting he did during the course of the game he was only too happy to pay tribute to his players following another superb display. “Longford have improved since Vinny Perth took over as manager and they have had some good results of late including their draw with Sporting Fingal, so to come here and win 3-0 is a super result.

“We played some great football in the second half and Longford just could not live with us. Dave Warren drove all the way from Cork on his own and then he went out and played like that. That is the kind of spirit that is in the squad right now. We have a panel of 18 or so and everyone of them want to be part of the push we are making at the moment. Players come in and players go out.

“Players come on and players go off but they all take it as part of the way we are going about our business. The work rate in the last three games has been wonderful and we will keep going to the bitter end. I was going to take off David (Grincell) because I thought he was getting a little tired but then he made our second goal so I had to change my plan. He then went on and scored one of the goals of the season. Hopefully Monaghan will do us a favour tomorrow and take points off Dundalk (which they did). Bring on Athlone Town now is what I say” concluded Gareth Cronin as he made his way to the dressing room to congratulate his charges.