Longford ladies produce spirited performance in the defeat against Fermanagh

Fermanagh . . . 4-14     Longford . . . 4-8

While Longford fell to a second consecutive defeat in the Ladies Football National League and who trailed by the wide margin of 14 points in the early stages of the second half, they produced a spirited performance to put a more respectable look on the final scoreline against Fermanagh.

Last year’s All-Ireland Junior champions were much the stronger side in the Division 4 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last and particularly impressive were the central attackers Joanne Doonan and Eimear Smyth who clocked up a total of 2-8 between them.

The razor sharp Fermanagh forward division made very good use of the scoring chances they created and three goals in which succession from Smyth (the opener in the 13th minute) and Blaithin Bogue (2) left the rampant visitors in a commanding 3-9 to 1-4 lead at half-time.

The lively Kamille Burke scored a well struck goal in the 5th minute to leave Longford in front but Fermanagh then took over completely and got a fourth goal when full-forward Smyth found the back of the net with five minutes gone on the changeover.
Longford were now 4-9 to 1-4 in arrears and heading for a heavy loss but with the opposition opting to bring on several substitutes the home county availed of the opportunity to close the gap.

Brian Farrell’s side outscored Fermanagh by 3-4 to 0-5 during the remainder of the match with the consolation goals coming from Katie Crawford, the prominent Sian Gallagher (a cracking strike) and substitute Aisling Cosgrove - the latter converting a penalty in stoppage time.

The chances of Longford making it through to the league semi-finals are now slim with their last three fixtures all away against Antrim (in Dunsilly on Sunday next), Leitrim and Wicklow.

While Fermanagh got off to flying start with a point apiece from Eimear Smyth (free) and wing back Shannan McQuade, Longford engineered a well-worked move with Sian Gallagher utilising her pace to cut through the opposing defence on the way to creating the opening goal for Kamille Burke.
The lead did not last long as Fermanagh moved into top gear in adding 3-7 to their impressive tally during the rest of the first half while the home side were restricted to three points - a brace from Burke with Niamh Brady (free) and experienced substitute Mairead Reynolds also on target just before the break.
Apart from the three goals, Longford also registered four more points in the second half through Kamille Burke, substitute Lauren McGuire (free), Katelyn McKeon and Shauna Hagan and never gave up the fight in a losing battle.

LONGFORD: Siobhan Egan (Carrickedmond); Emily Reilly (Longford Slashers), Emma Bleakley (Dromard), Ailbhe Brady (Mostrim); Funmi Talabi (Mostrim), Eimear O’Brien (Longford Slashers), Ella Duggan (Clonguish); Sian Gallagher (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh, 1-0), Shauna Hagan (Dromard, 0-1); Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish (0-1), Katie Crawford (Carrickedmond, 1-0), Ella O’Reilly (Mullinalsghta); Kamille Burke (Clonguish, 1-3), Niamh Brady (Killoe, 0-1, free), Caoimhe McCormack (Carrickedmond, 0-1). 

Subs:- Mairead Reynolds (Dromard, 0-1) for F Talabi (25 mins); Lauren McGuire (Carrickedmond, 0-1, free) for N Brady (half-time); Aisling Cosgrove (Longford Slashers, 1-0, penalty) for K Burke (injured, 46 mins); Edel Sheehy (Mullinalaghta) for K Crawford (54 mins); Elena O’Reilly (Dromard) for Ella  O’Reilly (55 mins); Keeva Gillen (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh for C McCormack (55 mins).

FERMANAGH: Aine Haren; Sinead Barrett, Ciara Clarke, Eimear Keenan; Shannan McQuade (0-1), Aisling O’Brien, Cadhla-Cara Bogue (0-1); Cliodhna Martin, Molly McGloin; Niamh McManus, Joanne Doonan (0-6), Blaithin Bogue (2-1); Niamh Boyle, Eimear Smyth (2-2, 1 free), Aoife McCabe (0-2).

Fermanagh introduced several substitutes (unlimited) in the second half with one of the replacements Eimear McMahon landing a point. 

Referee: Ian Howley.