Longford ladies lose out to Wicklow and now need a result at home to Leitrim

Wicklow . . . 1-13  Longford . . . 2-8

Longford senior ladies were defeated by Wicklow in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last in their first home game of the season in Division 4 of the Lidl National League.

Pat Tiernan’s young side had coped well with the demands of four consecutive away games, taking five points.
However, despite their best efforts in this game, the visitors came out on top thanks to a brace of late points.

Longford now face a crucial final round game against Leitrim in Pearse Park on Sunday (throw-in 12 noon) in their bid to reach the league semi-finals.

This was an absorbing game of football and Longford will be disappointed, given that they played well throughout.
However, the individual brilliance of Wicklow player Sinead McGettigan, who finished with eight points from play (she also scored from a free) was the difference between the sides.

Longford played some excellent attacking football, spearheaded by Grace Shannon, but at times they failed to capitalise with scores. Grace’s powerful runs were a constant problem for Wicklow. Her efforts were complemented by the ball winning of Niamh Brady and the hard work of the Lohan sisters, Clodagh and Caoimhe.

Longford worked hard throughout the game. Tenacious defending by Orla Nevin was complemented by the athleticism of Shauna Hagan in midfield and some incisive attacking play.

Longford were forced to make one change from the side that defeated Derry the previous week with Ciara Mulligan replacing the injured Kamille Burke.

Wicklow opened the scoring with a point from the influential Ella Parke in the fourth minute.Grace Shannon replied for Longford with a point in the fifth minute.

Caoimhe Lohan fired over a good point in the 13th minute for the home side. Sinead McGettigan replied for Wicklow with the first of her nine points.

Grace Shannon edged Longford in front with a point following a well worked move. Shannon then found the net in the 19th minute to give Longford a 1-3 to 0-3 lead. Her pace and power are a critical weapon for this Longford team.

Both sides exchanged points but it was the visitors who edged in front when Aoife Gorman found the net with a well struck goal.
An exchange of points between Sinead McGettigan and Niamh Brady (an effective ball winner throughout for Longford) left it 1-6 to 1-5 in favour of Wicklow at the break.

Longford started the second half strongly with a Clodagh Lohan goal. Niamh O’Brien replied for Wicklow with a point. Niamh Brady then sent over a free for Longford with Sinead McGettigan replying for Wicklow.

Scores were proving hard to come by for Longford in the second half. The unerring accuracy of Sinead McGettigan ensured that Longford were always under pressure.

The Longford management brought on some substitutes and Ella O’Reilly was particularly prominent upon her introduction.
Clodagh Lohan levelled the game with a point, following a well worked move.

Longford fought hard to take the lead but Wicklow closed out the game with two points from the outstanding McGettigan.

LONGFORD: Riane McGrath (Killoe); Orla Nevin (Longford Slashers), Eimear O’Brien (Longford Slashers), Grace Kenny (Longford Slashers); Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish, 0-1), Leah Shannon (Carrickedmond), Caoimhe McCormack (Carrickedmond, captain); Sian Gallagher (St Brigid Gaels Ardagh), Shauna Hagan (Dromard); Clodagh Lohan (Grattans, 1-2), Grace Shannon (Longford Slashers, 1-1), Caoimhe Lohan (Grattans, 0-1); Ciara Mulligan (Carrickedmond), Niamh Brady (Killoe, 0-3, 2f), Kate Shannon (Longford Slashers).

Subs:- Anna Hayden (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh) for K Shannon, Ella O’Reilly (Mullinalaghta) for K McKeon (both 43 mins), Funmi Talabi (Mostrim) for E O’Brien (46 mins), Edel Sheehy (Mullinalaghta) for Caoimhe Lohan, Joanne Whyte (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh) for Gallagher (both stoppage time).

WICKLOW: Ellen Griffin; Meabh Corr, Sarah Jane Winders, Shannagh Goetelen; Niamh Caffrey, Ella Parke (0-2), Roisin Byrne; Aoife Gorman (1-0), Niamh O’Brien (0-1); Sarah Evans, Sinead McGettigan (0-9, 1f), Aobha Harmon; Eimear O’Brien, Niamh Cullen (0-1), Lucy Dunne.

Subs:- Lizzy Burke for N O’Brien (39 mins), Charlotte Nagle for Parke (stoppage time), Sarah O’Toole for Caffrey (stoppage time).

Referee: Marion Hayden (Carlow).