Longford ladies produce strong finish in the win over Kilkenny

Longford . . . 5-8  Kilkenny . . . 2-6 

While Longford scored their expected win over Kilkenny in Round 2 of the All-Ireland Junior Championship in Castlecomer on Sunday last to keep alive their outside chance of reaching the semi-finals, the midlanders had to withstand a determined comeback from the spirited home county. 

Pat Tiernan’s side looked in complete control after building up a commanding 3-5 to 1-2 lead at the break with a couple of goals from the impressive Katelyn McKeon while Niamh Brady also found the back of the Kilkenny net. 

But it developed into a fierce struggle for Longford in the second half with the prominent Fumni Talai forced to retire injured (but who came back on late in the game) while the visitors were reduced to 14 players after Kamille Burke was dismissed for a yellow card foul in the 48th minute.

Kilkenny showed a lot of character to gradually close the gap to just three points in the closing stages of the Group B clash but Longford produced a strong finish in adding 2-2 to their tally with Niamh Brady and Grace Shannon scoring the goals. 

With the title favourites Louth defeating Limerick 0-14 to 0-8 in the other group fixture last weekend, Longford are now facing a must win match at home to Louth on Sunday June 30 and even if that result materialises it will then go down to scores difference to determine who makes it through to the last four. 

Longford started well from the throw up with a fine ball from Fumni Talabi putting Sian Gallagher one on one with Kilkenny’s keeper Ellie Moran who produced an excellent save. The game's first score came in the eight minute when some scrappy defending from Longford ended in Rachel Phelan drilling the ball into the back of Longford’s net.

Longford had their first score in the ninth minute with a point from Grace Shannon after some good build up play. Longford took control after that and Niamh Brady finished a great move for Longfords first goal.

Kilkenny kept themselves in the game with points from Kate Purcell and Kelley Comerford before two more points followed from Grace Shannon and Katelyn McKeon.

Katelyn, who was one of Longford’s best players on the day, struck her first goal and within minutes scored a great point from close range. In a purple patch it was McKeon who scored her second goal after a great move between herself and Niamh Brady. Longford finished up the first half with a long range point from Grace Shannon.
Kilkenny came out strong in the second half with Kate Purcell kicking a fine free from distance and kept the pressure on with another long range point from Hollie Brennan.
This was followed by another good free from Kate Purcell for her third point of the game. Kilkenny, who now had the upper hand, had two great goal opportunities one on one with Longford’s goalkeeper Riane McGrath who brought off two good saves within minutes of each other.
Things were now looking difficult for Longford after injury to Fumni Talabi saw her having to be taken off and they were then down to players in the 48th minute with a yellow card for Kamille Burke.
Kilkenny were now pushing hard to get back into the game a point from Kate Purcell and another goal from Rachel Phelan closed the gap to three points.
Substitute Maria Reehill scored a point for Longford in the 58th minute and the reintroduction of Kamille Burke along with Fumni Talabi saw Longford take back control.
In the space of five minutes a Niamh Brady point from a free and goals from Brady and Grace Shannon saw Longford come out well on top after a hard fought match.

KILKENNY: Ellie Moran; Aoibhe Ryan, Sarah Smith, Sarah Dunne; Hollie Brenan, Ailbhe Galwey, Caitlin Moore; Kelley Comerford, Ruby Roche; Kate Purcell, Sarah Corcoran, Rebecca Roche; Rachel Phelan, Ellen Lawlor, Sofia Kerr. 

Subs:- Jennifer O’Keeffe for C Moore; Katie Nolan for S Corcoran, Leah Brett for K Purcell.

LONGFORD: Riane McGrath; Emma Farrell, Eimear O’Brien, Grace Kenny; Orla Nevin, Leah Shannon, Caoimhe McCormack; Fumni Talabi, Sian Gallagher; Caoimhe Lohan, Grace Shannon, Katelyn McKeon; Kamille Burke, Niamh Brady, Elle Lynn. 

Subs:- Ella Reilly for E Lynn; Maria Reehill for F Talabi; F Talabi for C Lohan