Longford ladies in cruise control against outclassed Kilkenny

Longford . . . 6-24    Kilkenny . . . 0-3 

After hammering Derry in the opening round the previous weekend, the Longford ladies consolidated their place at the top of the Division 4 table when they cruised to a landslide win over a weak Kilkenny outfit who were missing many regulars at McGann Park in Kenagh on Sunday last.  

The rampant home county led by 5-15 to 0-0 at the break and there was just no stopping the girls in blue and gold in a strong start to the season under the driving force of new manager Brian Farrell from the St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh club. 

Also read: Longford ladies make impressive start to league with comprehensive victory over Derry

Having said that, there are far tougher games to come in the quest for promotion in the National League and Longford will be hard pressed to maintain their unbeaten run away to Sligo on Sunday next (2pm) with Cloonacool Community Park the venue. 

Sligo beat Wicklow by 1-13 to 1-3 in the opening round but had to settle for second best at home against Antrim on a 5-7 to 2-8 scoreline on Sunday last. 

How the action unfolded

1st point of the game in the 1st minute scored by Niamh Brady and 2nd minute of the game by Edel Sheehy. Next score in the 7th minute came from Katie Crawford, followed 2 minutes later by another score from Crawford. 

13th minute a long range point from Sian Gallagher. 14th minute point from a Niamh Brady free. 17th minute point from a Ella O'Reilly free. 18th minute point from Katie Crawford. 19th minute another point from Crawford. 

20th minute another long range point from Crawford. 21st minute fine strike, a goal from Shauna Hagan. 22nd minute close range score for a goal from Niamh Brady. 23rd minute point for Edel Sheehy. 25th minute point from Brady. 

26th minute point from a  free by Brady. 27th minute goal by Katie Crawford. 30th minute point from Sian Gallagher. 32nd minute point from Katelyn McKeon. 33rd minute final point of the first half by Edel Sheehy.

1st minute of second half goal from Katelyn McKeon. 2nd minute point from Ella O'Reilly. 3rd minute point from Kamille Burke. 6th minute free scored by Niamh Brady.7th minute point from Katelyn McKeon. 9th minute point from Aisling Cosgrove. 11th minute point from Ella O’Reilly.13th minute another point from Ella O’Reilly.15th minute point from Sian Gallagher. 

16th minute 1st point for Kilkenny free by Kate Purcell. 20th minute a point from free by Niamh Brady. 26th minute Kilkenny’s second score from a free by Louisa Gilmore. 27th minute. Final point of the game scored by Kilkenny’s Ellen Lawlor. 

LONGFORD: Siobhan Egan; Caoimhe McCormack, Emma Bleakley, Leanne Keegan; Ella Duggan, Funmi Talabi, Emily Reilly; Sian Gallagher, Shauna Hagan;  ⁠Ella O’Reilly, Katie Crawford, Katelyn McKeon; Aisling Cosgrove, Niamh Brady, Edel Sheehy. 

Subs:- Riane McGrath for S Egan; Kamille Burke for K Crawford; Keeva Gillen for L Keegan; Naoise Hourican for S Hagan; Elena O'Reilly for E Duggan. 

KILKENNY: Kate Fitzpatrick; Leah Brett, Ailbhe Galway, Kerie Hennessy; Sarah Dunne, Rebecca Roche, Laura McDowell; Ruby Roche, Sarah Corcoran; Louisa Gilmore, Ellen Lawlor, Jennifer O’Keeffe; Kate Purcell, Niamh Ward, Aoibhe Ryan. 

Sub:- Kate Ryan for R Roche