Limerick goal crucial as Longford ladies suffer defeat

Limerick . . . 1-12  Longford . . . 0-8

Longford ladies were defeated by Limerick in their first group game of the All-Ireland Junior Championship.

Played in good conditions in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last, Longford had been competitive for most of the game.

However, they were overpowered by the visitors in the last quarter of the contest.
Longford’s last score of the game came in the 37th minute. The home side led by 0-8 to 0-6 at that stage.

However, sin binnings (which are issued in the ladies game for yellow cards) for Caoimhe McCormack and substitute Caoimhe Lohan destabilised the Longford challenge.

When the ten minutes in the bin for both girls had elapsed, Limerick were 1-9 to 0-8 ahead.
Limerick’s slick movement was also a telling factor. Midfielder and captain Roisin Ambrose and No. 11 Deborah Murphy were both outstanding.

Longford were depleted for this crucial game. Injuries to Shauna Hagan and Leah Shannon, as well as a number of Leaving Cert students being unavailable, created a headache for manager Pat Tiernan.
In addition, Clodagh Lohan is currently abroad. Debuts were handed to Fumni Talabi and Emma Farrell.

Longford face Kilkenny in the next round on Sunday June 16 and while the Black and Amber are the weakest side in the group, a stiff challenge will follow at home against Louth on Sunday June 30. 

Longford led by 0-7 to 0-5 at half-time, following an enterprising 30 minutes.

Limerick had started the better and led by 0-3 to 0-1 midway through the first half.
Niamh Brady (free) replied for Longford but a point from the lively Iris Kennelly gave Limerick a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage.

Scores from Grace Shannon, Kamille Burke and Niamh Brady (frees) had overturned a 0-4 to 0-3 deficit, giving the home side a 0-5 to 0-4 lead.

The Longford attack was guilty of being turned over on a number of occasions throughout the game.
However, their work rate was high and a point from Katelyn McKeon in the 24th minute gave Longford a 0-6 to 0-5 lead. A free from Niamh Brady gave Longford a two-point lead at the break.

Longford were exerting pressure on Limerick attacks, such as when Caoimhe McCormack’s doggedness led to a wide from Iris Kennelly.

Points from Roisin Ambrose, who was controlling midfield, and Cathy Mee reduced the deficit to a single point, 0-8 to 0-7.

Caoimhe McCormack was sent to the sin bin in the 44th minute and Caoimhe Lohan made the same journey shortly afterwards.

McCormack’s influence was sorely missed. Limerick edged into the lead and they found the net in the 48th minute.

The Longford defence was exposed as Iris Kennelly crashed the ball home from close range, making it 1-9 to 0-8.

Longford created very few scoring chances in the remainder of the game, as Limerick stepped up a gear.

The excellent Deborah Murphy sent over a free to make it 1-10 to 0-8 in stoppage time.
Longford never stopped working but Limerick were already thinking of their second game against Louth by now.

A well worked move gave Limerick their last score, fittingly scored by Roisin Ambrose, who had a huge impact.

Longford Slashers duo, Orla Nevin and Grace Shannon, did not disappoint and they once again reminded us all of their huge talent.

But Longford felt the loss of the absent players. Kilkenny obviously cannot be taken for granted but a win down there will leave all to play for in the group stage of the championship.

LONGFORD: Riane McGrath (Killoe); Emma Farrell (St. Brigid’s Ardagh), Eimear O’Brien (Longford Slashers), Grace Kenny (Longford Slashers); Ciara Mulligan (Carrickedmond), Caoimhe McCormack (Carrickedmond, captain), Orla Nevin (Longford Slashers); Funmi Talabi (Mostrim), Sian Gallagher (St. Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh); Joanne Whyte (St. Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh), Grace Shannon (Longford Slashers, 0-3, 1f), Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish, 0-1); Anna Hayden (St. Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh), Niamh Brady (Killoe, 0-3, 3f), Kamille Burke (Clonguish, 0-1).

Subs:- Caoimhe Lohan (Longford Slashers) for A Hayden (half-time); Edel Sheehy (Mullinalaghta) for F Talabi (48 mins); Lauren McGuire (Carrickedmond) for C Mulligan (53 mins), Ellie Lynn (Mostrim) for J Whyte (58 mins).

LIMERICK: Sophie Hennessy; Joanne McGuire, Yvonne Lee, Roisin Browne; Grace Lee, Leah Coughlan, Grace Mullane; Roisin Ambrose (captain, 0-3), Meadhbh MacNamara; Karen O’Leary, Deborah Murphy (0-4, 2f), Cathy Mee (0-2); Ellie Woulfe, Iris Kennelly (1-2), Caoimhe McGrath.

Subs:- Katie Heelan for C McGrath, Caoimhe McNamara for I Kennelly (both 52 mins); Kate Kennedy (0-1) for C Mee (injury time).

Referee: Marion Hayden (Carlow).