Superior Longford Slashers take first win of championship

Longford Slashers . . . 4-9  St. Brigid's Gaels Ardagh . . .  1-3

Defending champions Longford Slashers registered their first win of the 2024 senior championship with a comfortable win over St. Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh in Fay Park on Wednesday night.

Slashers, who are aiming for a six in a row of Alison Smyth Cups, didn’t score until the 16th minute.

However, they upped the gears as the game went on and a young Ardagh side had no answer to their pace and power in the second half.

Slashers, All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship winners in 2022, will be extremely hard beaten in their quest to further assert their dominance of Longford ladies football.

Ciaran Farrell’s side were almost at full strength for this game. They have a very strong spine of experienced players, from Grace Kenny at full-back, through to Clodagh Lohan at full-forward.

Five teams are competing for the senior championship, with four advancing to the semi-finals.

Ardagh made a good start to the game, when Maria Hayden finding the net after two minutes.

Brian Farrell’s side made life difficult for Slashers in the first half, with some excellent defending.

Joanne Whyte was an effective playmaker but too often their attack did not capitalise on their scoring chances.

Slashers finally got off the mark when Clodagh Lohan found the net after 16 minutes.

Slashers stepped up a gear with points from Kate Shannon (2) and Kara Shannon and took a 1-4 to 1-1 lead into half-time.

Slashers came out in the second half meaning business. A goal from Kate Shannon was followed by a point from the same player and a point from the excellent Orla Nevin.

Slashers were now well on top, with the richly talented Grace Shannon to the fore.

Clodagh Lohan added another goal (her fourth in two games) and a penalty converted by Aisling Cosgrove completed the rout.

Ardagh kept battling and got two points from Rachel Keenan.

There was a sour ending to the game as Ardagh sub ‘keeper Leanne Keegan and Slashers sub Niamh O’Brien were handed red cards following an incident in the goalmouth.

Longford Slashers: Eimear Casey; Katie O’Brien, Grace Kenny, Grace O’Donnell; Niamh Sheridan, Eimear O’Brien, Orla Nevin (0-1); Grace Shannon (0-2), Aoife O’Brien; Aisling Cosgrove (1-0, pen), Kate Shannon (1-5, 1f), Caoimhe Lohan; Lara O’Connor, Clodagh Lohan (2-0), Kyana Lee.

Subs: Kara Shannon (0-1) for Lee (20 mins), Sarah Glennon for Caoimhe Lohan (50 mins), Niamh O’Brien for Grace Shannon (51 mins).

St. Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh: Lisa Keegan; Caitlin Derwin, Emma McCord, Emily Garcia; Keeva Gillen, Emma Farrell, Saoirse McLoughlin; Petrina Carrigy, Sian Gallagher; Ruby Victory, Anna Hayden, Rachel Keenan (0-2); Joanne Whyte, Maria Hayden (1-0), Ava Garcia (0-1).

Subs: Leanne Keegan for Lisa Keegan (injured, half-time), Izzy Fay for R Victory (41 mins).

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).