Longford Slashers suffer gallant defeat against stronger Naomh Ciaran

Naomh Ciaran (Offaly) . . . 1-20   Longford Slashers . . . 3-6

The unavailable Clare Farrell (the head nutritionist with the Munster rugby team who were in action in Italy) was a big blow for Slashers in this semi-final clash but they gave it their best shot with just a solitary point separating the sides at half-time: 1-8 to 2-4.  

Powered by exceptional central attackers in Kate Kenny and Ellee McEvoy who clocked up six points apiece in this entertaining encounter, Naomh Ciaran led from start to finish with Roisin Cockram scoring their goal as early as the 3rd minute. 

The slick visitors extended their advantage to a comfortable six points midway through the first half but Slashers got right back in contention with a flicked goal from Orla Nevin in the 15th minute, the end result of a sweeping move with Aisling Cosgrove providing the perfect final pass. 

With the immense Grace Shannon making a big impact around the midfield area, the five-in-a-row Longford champions scored a second goal just before the break when Jessica Barry converted a penalty following a foul on Grace but Naomh Ciaran stepped up another gear in a brilliant start to the second half that yielded six points in a row in the space of ten minutes.  

While Slashers were thrown a lifeline with a goal from Aisling Cosgrove that was created by Jessica Barry in the 41st minute, there was just no stopping the Offaly outfit who overcame the setback of a sin-bin yellow card for full-forward Ellee McEvoy in the 46th minute to win with considerable comfort in the finish as they kept the scoreboard ticking over in the final quarter of the contest. 

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Emer Casey; Gemma Reilly, Emily Reilly, Grace Kenny; Orla Nevin (1-0), Eimear O’Brien, Niamh Sheridan; Aoife O’Brien, Grace Shannon (0-2); Laura Kenny, Aisling Cosgrove (1-0), Grace O’Donnell (0-1); Kate Shannon (0-2), Jessica Barry (1-1, goal from penalty, point from free), Kara Shannon. 

Sub:- Jill Glennon for G Reilly (53 mins).

NAOMH CIARAN (OFFALY): Aine Maher; Anna Grehan, Emer Nally, Ella Hogan; Nicole Buckley, Lorraine Keena, Roisin Ennis; Emma Maher, Amy Gavin Mangan (0-2); Emma Cahill (0-1), Kate Kenny (0-6, 4 frees), Aoibhe Kelly; Roisin Cockram (1-1), Ellee McEvoy (0-6), Sarah Fitzgerald (0-2).

Subs:- Lauren Kelly for E Cahill (45 mins); Katelyn Rigney (0-2) for A Kelly (56 mins). 

REFEREE: Finbar Shanahan (Dublin).