Ardagh U-18 girls hold out to win the Longford Minor ‘A football title

St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh . . . 2-11    Killoe . . . 2-9

The Ardagh girls (managed by Liam Keenan) almost let the county title slip from their grasp in a frantic finish with Amber McGrath blasting a free against the crossbar in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
While St Brigid’s Gaels were the better team, Killoe (minus the long term injured Ava Finneran) suffered a significant blow when their centre-half-back Ava Fitzpatrick was sent to the sin-bin after receiving a yellow card in the closing stages of the first half.
The ten-minute absence of key Killoe defender Fitzpatrick gave Ardagh the opportunity to make the most of their numerical advantage to register 1-3 in quick succession with Ruby Victory scoring a great goal just before the break to leave her side leading by 2-6 to 1-2 at the break and they did enough in the second half to eventually come out on top.
With the prominent pair of Rachel Keenan and Sian Gallagher leading the charge at midfield, Ardagh maintained a vital edge in this crucial sector through this exciting title decider with the opening goal coming in the 12th minute.
A speculative shot from Gallagher was parried by the Killoe keeper Emily Quinn and the alert full-forward Katie Duignan flicked the breaking ball to the net.
Jenny Quinn then shot the bar to leave St Brigid’s Gaels in a comfortable 1-3 to 0-1 lead with Maria Hayden landing a couple of early points while the influential Killoe full-forward Ailbhe Mulligan landed the opening of the game with two minutes gone on the clock.
While the host club got back in contention with a goal from Rachel Keogh in the 21st minute with the same player landing a point moments later to close the gap to the minimum of margins, Ardagh dominated the remainder of the first half to fire over three scores in a row through Katie Duignan, Rachel Keenan and Chloe Reilly.
Then came the terrific goal from Ruby Victory in the second minute of additional time and three more points followed in the third quarter- a brace from the impressive Rachel Keenan with Katie Duignan on target again.
It was always a tough uphill battle for gallant Killoe but they did succeed in adding another 1-7 to their tally in the second half with the soft goal a real gift in the 54th minute in giving them a glimmer of of hope.
The points came from Ailbhe Mulligan (4 frees), Amber McGrath and Rachel Keogh but Ardagh got over the line thanks to a brace of frees converted by Rachel Keenan.
There were two other yellow cards for Robyn O’Neill (Killoe) and Sarah Hughes (Ardagh) in the 52nd and 55th minutes respectively in this action packed encounter that was a great advertisement for the GAA in general.

ST BRIGID’S GAELS ARDAGH: Sarah McDermott; Kayla Reilly, Caithlin Derwin, Jenna Rose Trautt; Ella Duignan, Emma Farrell (captain), Sarah Hughes; Sian Gallagher, Rachel Keenan (0-5, 2 frees); Ruby Victory (1-0), Jenny Quinn (0-1), Chloe Reilly (0-1); Sarah Jane Fitzpatrick,  Katie Duignan (1-2), Maria Hayden (0-2).

Sub:- Aoife Comerford for SJ Fitzpatrick (47 mins).

KILLOE: Emily Quinn; Bronagh Reilly, Amber McGrath (0-2), Jorja Coyle; Amy Finnegan, Ava Fitzpatrick, Grainne Rooney; Eimear Igoe, Aoibheann O’Brien; Clodagh Reilly, Laura Finnegan, Rachel Keogh (1-2): Robyn O’Neill, Ailbhe Mulligan (0-5, 4 frees), Rachel Quinn. 

Subs:- Rebecca Moorhead for L Finnegan (41 mins); Kathryn Casey for C Reilly (45 mins). 

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).