Longford LGFA: Clonguish girls crowned the county Minor ‘A’ champions

Clonguish . . . 1-12   Killoe . . . 3-4

The Clonguish club have enjoyed a hugely successful season in the various codes and another county title was captured with a hard earned win over Killoe in the ladies football Minor ‘A’ football championship final at Michael Fay Park on Sunday last. 

Forced to play the entire second half without influential midfielder Ella Duggan who sustained a serious leg injury after scoring a cracking goal approaching the break, Clonguish stuck it out with the narrow margin of just two points to spare when referee Michelle Mulvey eventually blew the final whistle in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Killoe trailed by 1-8 to 2-2 at the break with Mia Shannon and Eimear Igoe getting the goals but Clonguish made a strong start to the second with three points in a row through Lea Shannon, Hannah Burke and Ciara McKeon.

Facing a real uphill battle, Killoe showed a lot of spirit to close the gap with a point from Clodagh Reilly and a well-worked goal with midfielder Eimear Igoe finishing the ball to the net in the 45th minute.

Killoe were piling on the pressure and almost took the lead a couple of minutes later when another goal attempt from Rachel Keogh hit the post and the danger was cleared.

That was a lucky escape for Clonguish who managed just one more point during the remainder of the match, a terrific strike from full-forward Hannah Burke in the 51st minute.

While Killoe enjoyed a lot of possession in a determined bid to salvage the situation, they were guilty of committing a number of costly mistakes and the best they could do was a solitary point from Rachel Keogh in the 59th minute.

Although Killoe made a bright start to the game played in difficult conditions with full-forward Mia Shannon landing a brace of well-taken points, Clonguish then took over completely to shoot seven scores in succession.

Attacker Megan Glennon started the ball rolling with Lea Shannon (two frees), Glennon, Ella Jackson (2) and Hannah Burke all adding to the tally during this dominant period.

While Killoe got right back in contention with a fabulous goal from Mia Shannon in the 19th minute, Clonguish replied with another fine point from impressive midfielder Ella Jackson along with the Ella Duggan goal in the 27th minute.

When a dipping shot from Eimear Igoe ended up in the back of the net in first half stoppage time, Clonguish had to content with a three-point lead at the interval and managed to consolidate their lead on the changeover to emerge worthy winners.

CLONGUISH: Emma Shannon; Aoife Cooney, Bolu Alaba, Shauna Madden; Amy Burke, Shauna Burke, Maria Crossan; Ella Jackson (0-3), Ella Duggan (1-0); Ciara McKeon (0-1), Megan Glennon (0-2), Lea Shannon (0-3, 2 frees); Grace McVeigh, Hannah Burke (0-3), Rachel McGrath. 

Subs:- Alysaa Galligan for E Duggan (injured, 30 mins); Katie McGrath for M Crossan (45 mins); Lucy Maher for G McVeigh (53 mins). 

KILLOE: Emily Quinn; Bronagh Reilly, Amber McGrath, Katelyn Maher; Amy Finnegan, Ava Fitzpatrick, Grainne Rooney; Aoibhinn O’Brien, Eimear Igoe (2-0); Clodagh Reilly (0-1), Rachel Quinn, Rebecca Moorhead; Robyn O’Neill, Mia Shannon (1-2), Rachel Keogh (0-1). 

Subs:- Ava Finneran for C Reilly (42 mins); Laura Finnegan for R Moorhead (54 mins). 

Referee: Michelle Mulvey (Carrickedmond).