Donegal break Longford Ladies' hearts to advance to final
A personal haul of 1-9 from irrepressible Donegal forward Geraldine McLaughlin sent the Longford Ladies crashing out of the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship race at the semi-final stage last Saturday.
The win for Michael Naughton's charges was made all the more impressive given the fact Longford had the luxury of home advantage as Ballymahon's Leo Casey Park provided the backdrop for a TG4 intermediate and senior championship double header.
That said, you could have been forgiven for thinking the game was being staged in MacCumhail Park, Ballybofey for that matter such was the huge number of green and gold shirts on show both on the terraces and adjoining stand prior to throw-in.
Minus a string of leading lights, perhaps most notably being that of star forward Denise Murtagh, Longford's task looked worryingly ominous especially as their opponents were very much intent on adding the All-Ireland Intermediate title to their Division Two National Football League and Ulster Championship trophies won already this season.
Therefore, the need for a solid start was imperative. And for the opening 30 minutes or so, that's exactly what transpired, much to the delight of the home supporters.There were just four minutes on the clock when Anna McDonnell combined with Ann Marie Bratten only for Donegal centre back Deirdre Foley to upend the Longford half forward inside the square. Referee, Mel Kenny had no hesitation in signalling a penalty as Sharon Treacy made no mistake in getting a goal.
Whatever euphoria brought about by Treacy's penalty was quickly snuffed out just eight minutes later. A long ball deep into Longford territory found Geraldine McLaughlin in the right-corner-back position. Despite being under intense pressure, McLaughlin, somehow found the onrushing Karen Feeney who smashed the ball past a hopelessly exposed Longford keeper Michelle Kilkenny.
McLaughlin steered Donegal further ahead soon after when dispatching a quickly taken Eilish Ward free. But in what was a frenetic half hour of football, Longford, in time honoured fashion replied through Fiona Gettings. In fact, Longford could have grabbed the lead going into half-time had a speculative Edel Quinn cross-shot not dropped agonisingly wide of the left hand post.
But, if the first half hour was a tense affair the second half had a completely different flavour to it as Donegal (leading by 1-3 to 1-2 at the break) showed just why some bookmakers installed them as 1/10 favourites to win the game. Karen Guthrie got proceedings off to a start from a free, and while Longford did manage to level matters soon after through Elizabeth Brady, it was all Donegal thereafter with McLaughlin leading the charge.
The free scoring Donegal corner-forward posted no less than six unanswered scores in the space of a blistering eight minute second half spell.
Apart from a Fiona Gettings hooked effort and an Edel Quinn point, Longford simply had no answer.As the two Brady's Jacinta and Elizabeth were unable to win any meaningful possession in the middle of the park, Longford's overworked defence struggled to keep a lid on Donegal's ever hungry forward line.
With the exception of McLaughlin, who undoubtedly was the game's star performer, her fellow forward, Yvonne McMonagle was likewise doing her level best to impress the Donegal followers watching on from the stands.
A point by McMonagle was followed by a goal seconds later when the Glenfin sharp-shooter latched onto a poor Longford kick out to rifle the ball past opposing keeper Michelle Kilkenny.
Nine points up with time running out, Donegal could have eased off with the game effectively over as a contest. But roared on by a raucous posse of supporters, McMonagle and company continued to make the home side suffer.
McLaughlin added yet another point three minutes from time and rounded matters off 60 seconds later when fisting home a fine Karen Guthrie delivery to the net to leave those wearing green and gold in ecstasy.
For Longford, the wait for All-Ireland glory goes on and no doubt the next few days will allow for plenty of soul searching amongst players, management and supporters alike.
LONGFORD: Michelle Kilkenny; Marie Brady, Yvonne Barden, Sinead Farrell; Michelle Ross, Mairead Moore, Antoinette Brady; Jacinta Brady, Elizabeth Brady (0-1); Sharon Treacy (1-1, one free), Edel Quinn (0-1), Ann Marie Bratten (0-1); Anna McDonnell, Fiona Gettings (0-2), Orla Noonan.
Subs:- Alice Magan for O Noonan (30 mins); Sarah Tierney for A McDonnell (53 mins).
DONEGAL: Roisin McCafferty; Diane Toher, Deirdre Foley, Kelly Wilson; Ciara Hegarty, Mari Herron, Teresa McCafferty; Aoife McDonnell, Karen Guthrie (0-1, free); Grainne Houston, Niamh Hegarty, Karen Feeney (1-0); Eilish Ward (0-2, one free), Yvonne McMonagle (1-2), Geraldine McLoughlin (1-9, five frees).
Subs:- Kate Keeney for D Foley (42 mins); Olive McCafferty for T McCafferty (60 mins), Ursula Leonard for G Houston (60 mins).
Referee: Mel Kenny (Mayo).
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Sunday 05 February 2012
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