Record breakers Longford Slashers crowned superb six-in-a-row county champions

Longford Slashers . . . 1-9   Clonguish . . . 1-6

Boosted by a crucial goal from Caoimhe Lohan approaching the half-time break, Longford Slashers withstood a determined challenge from Clonguish to win the LGFA County Senior Championship title for a record breaking sixth year in a row.

Watched by a fine attendance in the region of 500 plus spectators who braved the adverse weather conditions on Saturday last, Slashers got over the line to retain the Alison Smyth Cup on their way to creating history in a superb achievement.
It must be said that their latest success was hard earned after Clonguish were given a lifeline with a goal from the alert Alice Magan with four minutes gone on the changeover to close the gap to just a single point, 1-5 to 1-4.
But this Slashers side (without the unavailable Clare Farrell) are made of stern stuff and showed their vast experience in refusing to panic when the pressure was on.
Clonguish were outscored 0-4 to 0-2 during the remainder of the match as they suffered the disappointment of losing to Slashers in the title decider for the third year in succession.
The proud distinction of becoming the first winner of the Theresa McDermott Quinn memorial player of the match award went to classy Slashers midfielder Grace Shannon who also emerged as the top scorer for her side in the final with four points (3 frees).
It was a tremendous start to the reign of the new Slashers manager Ciaran Farrell who will now prepare his squad for the forthcoming Leinster Club Senior Championship first round game at home to the Westmeath title winners St Loman's Mullingar on Sunday October 20. 
Forced to field without Lynn Gregg (who was selected to start at centrefield), Clonguish were left to rue a number of costly missed chances during the course of this tough battle,
The all conquering six-in-a-row county champions almost scored a goal in the early stages of the final with Grace Shannon weaving her way through on a majestic run to blast the ball over the bar.
And as Clonguish continued to waste scoring chances (as did Slashers in the second half), another Slashers star Orla Nevin broke from the defence to land a well-taken point in the 9th minute.
A third score followed from a free converted by the immaculate Grace before Clonguish eventually opened their account from a Ciara Healy free in the 16th minute.
Kate Shannon was very prominent in attack for Slashers throughout the title decider and she kicked the first of her three points in the 20th minute.
A rare mistake by the sky-blues almost let Clonguish in for a goal in the 29th minute as Ella Duggan was clean through in shooting over the bar,
And then came a big turning point when Clodagh Lohan created the opening for her sister Caoimhe to finish the ball to the net in first half stoppage time with the rock solid Orla Nevin creating the opportunity.
Clonguish replied with a point from Ciara Healy (free) just before the half-time whistle to leave the underdogs trailing by 1-4 to 0-3 at the break and scores (frees) were exchanged between Grace Shannon and Healy in the opening minutes of the second half.
Then came the Alice Magan goal as she got the vital touch to find a way past the opposing keeper Emer Casey and Clonguish proceeded to miss a couple of good chances in a bid to get back on level terms.
The Shannon sisters Kate (play) and Grace (two frees) were on target again to give the wind assisted Slashers some breathing space but there was a glimmer of hope for Clonguish when their accurate top scorer Ciara Healy converted a free with time running out - their first score during a decisive barren spell which lasted for 25 minutes.

Just after Kate Shannon had a point-blank goal attempt well saved by Clonguish keeper Aoife Cooney, the well marked Clodagh Logan finally got their name on the scoresheet in stoppage time to clinch the victory.
Clonguish had the last say when a shot from Healy dropped just over the bar in the sixth minute of additional time as the girls in green had to settle for second best against Slashers yet again.

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Emer Casey; Gemma Reilly, Emily Reilly, Grace Kenny; Niamh Sheridan, Eimear O’Brien, Orla Nevin (0-1); Aoife O’Brien (captain), Grace Shannon (0-4, 3 frees); Aisling Cosgrove, Kara Shannon, Grace O’Donnell; Caoimhe Lohan (1-0), Clodagh Lohan (0-1), Kate Shannon (0-3, 1 free).

Subs:- Lara O’Connor for Caoimhe Lohan (stoppage time); Hanna Farrell for G O’Donnell (stoppage time); Laura Kenny for G Reilly (stoppage time). 

CLONGUISH: Aoife Cooney; Shauna Burke, Teni Alba, Cathriona Moore; Megan Glennon, Mairead Moore, Ciara Sutton; Ella Duggan (0-1), Doireann McCarthy; Aoife Magan, Ciara Healy (0-5, 4 frees), Katelyn McKeon; Hannah Burke, Kamille Burke, Alice Magan (1-0). 

Subs:- Ella Jackson for D McCarthy (half-time); Shauna Madden for Aoife Magan (50 mins); Maria Kelleher for H Burke (58 mins). 

Referee: Joe McDermott (Young Grattans).