Second half goals earn the Longford ladies a draw against Limerick

Limerick . . . 2-7     Longford . . . 2-7 

Crucial goals from Clodagh Lohan and Niamh Brady in the early stages of the second half earned Longford a draw against unbeaten Limerick in the Lidl National Football League Division 4 Round 4 clash on the North Campus pitch in UL on Sunday last. 

 Longford trailed by 2-3 to 0-6 at the break but battled back on the changeover and looked the likely winners when Clodagh Lohan landed a point, only for Limerick substitute Kate Kennedy to kick the equalising score.
It was a second consecutive draw for Pat Tiernan’s charges who were left to rue a number of missed chances in the second half in the tough battle to qualify for the Division 4 league semi-finals but the midlanders will be strongly fancied to beat a struggling Derry outfit at Celtic Park on Sunday next, throw-in 2pm.
The result against Limerick was the fourth away fixture in a row for Longford but at least the last two fixtures are both at home to Wicklow (February 25) and Leitrim (March 3).
Limerick started off strongly thanks to full-forward Andrea O'Sullivan who fisted the first point before accurately placing herself under a high delivery to punch the ball into the back of the net, making it 1-1 to 0-0 after five minutes of play.
It took these early scores for Longford to kick into action with Kate Shannon slotting a free over the bar for their first score of the game.
These would be the only scores for a period of time before Cathy Mee's speculative effort after 16 minutes yielded another goal for Limerick. 
Longford kept the scoreboard ticking over after the Limerick goal with points from Grace Shannon, Caoimhe Lohan and Kate Shannon.
Limerick points then came from Cathy Mee and Roisin Ambrose to finish off the first half on a scoreline of 2-3 to 0-6 in favour of the home county.
Longford struck first after the break with two consecutive goals from Clodagh Lohan and Niamh Brady to take the lead for the first time in the game.
Clodagh Lohan then had another couple of goal chances, only to be denied by good saves from the opposing keeper Carol Bateman.
Limerick battled back with vital points from Deborah Murphy and Cathy Mee and it ended up all square in the finish after Clodagh Logan and Kate Kennedy recorded a score apiece.

SCORERS - LIMERICK: Andrea O'Sullivan 1-2, Cathy Mee 1-2, Roisin Ambrose, Deborah Murphy and Kate Kennedy 0-1 each. 

SCORERS - LONGFORD: Clodagh Lohan (1-2), Niamh Brady (1-1), Kate Shannon (0-2), Grace Shannon (0-1) and Caoimhe Lohan (0-1). 

LIMERICK: Carol Bateman; Meadbh McNamara, Joanne McGuire, Roisin Browne; Deborah Murphy, Yvonne Lee, Grace Lee; Róisín Ambrose, Fiona Bradshaw; Iris Kenneally, Cathy Mee, Karen O'Leary; Lauren Ryan, Andrea O’Sullivan, Ellie Woulfe. 

SUBS:- Katie Heelan for Bradshaw (26 mins); Leah Coughlan for O'Leary (half-time); Laoise Browne for O'Sullivan (45 mins); Grace Mullane for G Lee (52 mins); Kate Kennedy for Woulfe (55 mins). 

LONGFORD: Riane McGrath; Orla Nevin, Eimear O'Brien, Grace Kenny; Katelyn McKeon, Leah Shannon, Caoimhe McCormack; Slan Gallagher, Shauna Hagan; Clodagh Lohan, Grace Shannon, Caoimhe Lohan; Edel Sheedy, Niamh Brady, Kate Shannon. 

SUBS:- Funmi Talabi for Caoimhe Lohan (42 mins); Lauren McGuire for E Sheedy (42 mins); Kamille Burke for K Shannon (46 mins); Anna Hayden for S Hagan (59 mins). 

REFEREE: Marion Hayden (Carlow).