Leitrim run riot in the second half as Longford ladies miss out on a semi-final spot

Leitrim . . . 7-20  Longford . . . 2-14

Longford suffered their second successive home defeat in Division 4 of the Ladies Football National League in missing out on a semi-final spot. 

While Leitrim proved too strong in running riot in the second half of the last round clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last, Longford were just a couple of points behind at the break, 1-8 to 0-9.

Pat Tiernan’s side held their own in the first half with some sharp attacking play causing the visitors problems.
Grace Shannon and Ella O’Reilly, in particular, were asking questions of the visitors.

However, Leitrim were dominant on the changeover in running out easy winners in the end. They are a much more experienced side than Longford and have some excellent forwards, such as Michelle Guckian and Ailbhe Glancy while the athleticism of Laura O’Dowd was difficult to deal with. In addition, heavy rain made the conditions difficult in the second half.

Longford opened the scoring with Grace Shannon landing a point from the throw-in. Caoimhe Lohan followed with another score for the home side who applied pressure on their opponents early on.

Leitrim got off the mark in the sixth minute, with a point from Vicky Egan and pushed on to enjoy a good spell, resulting in a 0-5 to 0-2 lead.

Niamh Brady replied with a point (free) for Longford before Caoimhe McCormack had a shot blocked by the opposing ‘keeper in the 12th minute.

Vicky Egan made it 0-6 to 0-3 to Leitrim with a point in the 14th minute.Points from Grace Shannon and her sister Kate (free) were followed by a levelling score from Clodagh Lohan but scores from Leah Fox and Ailbhe Glancy edged Leitrim back in front.

Longford responded well. Clodagh Lohan went on a tremendous run along the endline and sent the ball over the bar. This score was followed by a Kate Shannon point.

Then a terrific point from Grace Shannon was followed by a crucial Leitrim goal. Leah Fox set up Michelle Guckian and Guckian finished the ball to the net from close range approaching the half-time whistle.

Early in the second half, Leitrim got their second goal. Ailbhe Glancy was fouled and a penalty awarded. The same player converted the spot kick, making it 2-9 to 0-9.

Niamh Brady got a point back for Longford from a free before Kate Shannon sent over another free.

Leitrim then got two goals in quick succession from Michelle Guckian and Leah Fox to put the result beyond doubt at 4-13 to 0-11. Further Leitrim goals followed from Vivienne Egan and Laura O’Dowd.

Longford brought on several substitutes, with unlimited subs allowed in the league, with one of the replacements Edel Sheehy scoring a couple of consolation goals.

No doubt the resilient young Longford squad will bounce back from this setback as they prepare for the championship.

SCORERS - LEITRIM: Michelle Guckian 2-4, 2f; Ailbhe Clancy 1-6, 1 pen; Leah Fox 2-3; Vivienne Egan 1-4; Laura O’Dowd 1-0; Bronagh O’Rourke 0-2; Muireann Devaney 0-1.

SCORERS - LONGFORD: Edel Sheedy 2-0; Niamh Brady 0-4, 3f; Clodagh Lohan, Grace Shannon and Kate Shannon (2f) 0-3 each; Sian Gallagher 0-1.

LONGFORD: Riane McGrath (Killoe); Caoimhe McCormack (Carrickedmond), Leah Shannon (Carrickedmond), Grace Kenny (Longford Slashers); Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish), Ciara Mulligan (Carrickedmond), Orla Nevin (Longford Slashers); Sian Gallagher (Ardagh), Shauna Hagan (Dromard); Ella O’Reilly (Mullinalaghta), Grace Shannon (Longford Slashers), Caoimhe Lohan (Grattans); Kate Shannon (Longford Slashers), Niamh Brady (Killoe), Clodagh Lohan (Grattans).

Subs:- Funmi Talabi (Mostrim) for C Mulligan (23 mins); Joanne Whyte (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh) and Anna Moorehead (Killoe) for G Kenny and Caoimhe Lohan (45 mins); Maria Reehill (Killoe), Kate McEntire (Dromard) and Aoife Cooney (Clonguish) for O Nevin, R McGrath and K McKeon (52 mins); Siobhan Egan (Carrickedmond) for G Shannon (60 mins). 

LEITRIM: Michelle Monaghan; Edel Shanley, Charlene Tyrell, Eimhin Quinn; Sarah Reynolds, Kasey Bruen, Orla Flynn; Niamh Tighe, Megan McGovern; Vivienne Egan, Laura O’Dowd, Michelle Guckian; Ailbhe Clancy, Leah Fox, Aine Redican. 

Subs:- Elise Bruen for Flynn (34 mins); Orla Flynn for Shanley (half-time); Lauryn McKeon and Aisling Quinn for Tighe and E Bruen (45 mins); Bronagh O’Rourke and Muireann Devaney for Redican and Fox (48 mins); Eabha Moyles and Siomha Quinn for Egan and Guckian (52 mins); Clare Owens, Aoibh Treanor and Brigid O’Reilly for Guckian, Monaghan and Clancy (57 mins). 

Referee: Kevin O’Donnell (Dublin).