Longford ladies crash to disappointing loss against superior Sligo

Sligo . . . 2-12   Longford . . . 1-5

After cruising to easy wins over poor opposition in Derry and Kilkenny, the Longford ladies junior football squad failed their first serious test when losing out to a superior Sligo side in Round 3 of the National League at Cloonacool Community Park on Sunday last. 

It was a big blow for Brian Farrell’s charges in their quest to qualify for the Division 4 semi-finals with four more tough games to come against Fermanagh (home), Antrim (away), Leitrim (away) and Wicklow (away).

Longford had to wait until the 15th minute for their opening score from a free converted by Niamh Brady and ended up trailing by 0-8 to 0-3 at half-time with the other points coming from Brady frees.  

In the 20th minute the visitors created a great chance of a goal but Killoe girl Brady was denied by a brilliant save from the Sligo keeper Ellen McGuire. 

Just before the break Longford planted the ball in the back of the Sligo net but the referee did not apply the advantage rule in blowing the whistle for a free for the midlanders who had to settle for a point. 

After Tara Breheny capitalised on a mistake to score the first goal for the home county as the second half progressed, another goal almost materialised but for a great goal-line clearance by Katie Crawford. 

There was no way back for Longford but they never gave up the fight and their perseverance was rewarded when Niamh Brady raised a green flag in the 50th minute following a fine build up. 

Sligo put the cap on a fine display with a cracking goal from Leah Duffy in the 58th minute with Longford bringing the scoring to a close with excellent consolation points from Sian Gallagher and Shauna Hagan. 

Longford are back in league action at home to Fermanagh at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday, throw-in 2pm.

SLIGO: Ellen McGuire; Aisling Molloy, Claire Dunne, Hannah Walsh; Tara Breheny, Cara King, Ciara Walsh; Tara Doddy, Sinead Regan; Robyn Kennedy, Leah Kelly, Megan McCormack; Sarah Feeney, Lauren Normanly, Leah Duffy.

Subs:- Sarah Curley for Aisling Molloy; Ellen Kelleher for Leah Kelly; Nisha McDonagh for Cara King; Rianne Smith for Megan McCormack; Fiona Feeney for Robyn Kennedy.  

LONGFORD: Aoife Cooney; Emily Reilly, Emma Bleakley, Leanne Keegan; Ella Duggan, Orla Nevin, Ailbhe Brady; Sian Gallagher (0-1), Shauna Hagan (0-1); Ella O’Reilly, Katie Crawford, Katelyn McKeon; Kamille Burke, Niamh Brady (1-3, 3 frees), Aisling Cosgrove. 

Subs:- Edel Sheehy for Leanne Keegan; Naoise Hourican for Ella O’Reilly.