Fermanagh in firm control in comfortable win over Longford

Fermanagh . . . 2-14   Longford . . . 1-6 

Playing their first competitive fixture under the new manager Pat Tiernan from the Grattans club, the Longford ladies football team lost out to Fermanagh in the opening round of the 2024 National League Division 4 on Sunday last. 

The excellent St Patrick’s GFC grounds in Donagh in picturesque rural Fermanagh was the setting for the start of the new season and Longford found the going too tough against the stronger home side with outstanding full-forward Eimear Smyth the star of the show.

The lethal Smyth clocked up the impressive total of ten points (four frees) while Blaithin Bogue also figured most prominently in a sharp attack with four scores to her credit.

Goals from Elaine Maguire and Niamh McManus, the latter finding the net in a killer blow just before the break, left Fermanagh in a commanding 2-9 to 0-4 lead at half-time.

There was a slight glimmer of hope for Longford when Niamh Brady scored a goal with just two minutes gone on the changeover and while the introduction of several substitutes did improve matters, the game was over as a contest.

The return of Clodagh Lohan, Ciara Mulligan and Emer O’Brien will strengthen the chances of qualifying for the league semi-finals; Ella Duggan is out injured while the flu prevented Sarah Macken and Elle Lynn from taking their places on the selected team to face Fermanagh.

Backboned by the bulk of the U-18 team who were so unlucky to suffer defeat against Monaghan in the 2022 All-Ireland Minor ‘B’ final, the Longford senior side are back in league action away to Kilkenny in Round 2 on Sunday next and are strongly fancied to get back on track with a win in Dunmore, throw-in 2pm   

FERMANAGH: Roisin Gleeson; Ciara Clarke, Molly McGloin, Eimear Keenan; Shannan McQuade, Courtney Murphy, Sarah McCarville; Seana Feeley, Danielle Maguire; Blaithin Bogue (0-4), Lisa Maguire, Cadhla-Cara Bogue; Elaine Maguire (1-0), Eimear Smyth (0-10, 4 frees), Niamh McManus (1-0).

Subs (unlimited):- Brenda Bannon, Stephanie Gunn, Aoife McCabe, Eimear McMahon, Hannah Murphy, Fionnuala Maguire, Eva Finlay-McGovern, Erica Douglas and Caoimhe Gallagher. 

LONGFORD: Aoife Cooney (Clonguish); Ailbhe Brady (Mostrim), Grace Kenny (Longford Slashers), Leah Shannon (Carrickedmond); Rachel McGee (St Helen’s Drumlish), Caoimhe McCormack (Carrickedmond, captain), Ella O’Reilly (Mullinalaghta); Sian Gallagher (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh, 0-1), Shauna Hagan (Dromard); Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish), Joanne Whyte (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh), Anna Hayden (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh, 0-1); Kamille Burke (Clonguish), Niamh Brady (Killoe, 1-3, 2 frees), Kate Shannon (Longford Slashers). 

Subs used (unlimited): Orla Nevin (Longford Slashers), Grace Shannon (Longford Slashers), Funmi Talabi (Mostrim), Lauren McGuire (Carrickedmond, 0-1), Maria Reehill (Killoe), Anna Moorhead (Killoe) and Kate McEntire (Dromard). 

Referee: Anthony Campbell (Derry).