Longford ladies let lead slip as Louth come out on top

Louth . . . 0-11     Longford . . . 1-7

After producing a fine first half display to hold a slender advantage at the break and who extended their advantage to three points (1-7 to 0-7) midway through the second half, Longford let the lead slip from their grasp as the title holders Louth eventually came out on top in the opening round of the Leinster LGFA Junior Championship at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last. 
Longford looked in a good position to spring a surprise when Kamille Burke scored a well-taken goal in the 23rd minute but they lost their way on the changeover and were restricted to just a solitary score from a free converted by full-forward Burke despite the aid of the wind.
While Louth dominated the possession in the second half, they faced fierce resistance from a packed opposing defence as the gap was gradually closed.
Utilising their stronger substitutes to telling effect, it was one of those replacements Lucy White who started the comeback and another score followed from a Kate Flood (free) in the 56th minute.
Moments later influential midfielder Aine Breen fired over the equalising point and Longford (minus injured duo Niamh Brady and Aisling Cosgrove) were hanging on in the hope of getting a positive result.
The force was firmly with Louth and it was Breen who landed the winning point in the second minute of stoppage time with both sides ending the game with 14 players on the pitch after late yellow cards for Louth’s Emma Gartland and Longford’s Funmi Talabi.
Next up for Brian Farrell’s side, who were strengthened by the return of attacker Clodagh Lohan, is a home fixture against Kilkenny at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday next (2pm) and the remaining game in the group stage is away to Carlow to determine who goes through to the provincial title decider.
The lively Lohan scored a couple of points while also on target for Longford in the first half were Lauren McGuire, Ella O’Reilly, Kamille Burke and Katie Crawford.
That left the midlanders leading by 1-6 to 0-7 at the break and they were most unlucky not to be further in front when Crawford was denied a goal after her cracking shot hit the crossbar in the 25th minute.

LONGFORD: Aoife Cooney (Clonguish); Grace Kenny (Longford Slashers), Leanne Keegan (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh), Aibhe Brady (Mostrim); Caoimhe McCormack (Carrickedmond), Eimear O’Brien (Longford Slashers), Ella Duggan (Clonguish); Sian Gallagher (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh), Shauna Hagan (Dromard); Ella O’Reilly (Mullinalaghta, 0-1), Katie Crawford (Carrickedmond, 0-1), Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish); Lauren McGuire (Carrickedmond, 0-1), Kamille Burke (Clonguish, 1-2, 1 free), Clodagh Lohan (Longford Slashers, 0-2).

Subs:- Ciara Mulligan (Carrickedmond) for L McGuire (injured, first half stoppage time); Aoife O’Brien (Longford Slashers) for Ella O’Reilly (56 mins); Funmi Talabi (Mostrim) for S Gallagher (third minute of stoppage time); Emily Reilly (Longford Slashers) for L Keegan (fourth minute of stoppage time).

LOUTH: Rebecca Lambe Fagan; Caoimhe Boyle, Eilis Hand, Holly Lambe Sally; Caitlin O’Reilly, Shannen McLaughlin, Aoife Russell; Gemma McCrave, Aine Breen (0-2); Zara Sweeney (0-3), Eimear Byrne (0-1), Rachel Leonard; Kate Flood (0-4, 2 frees), Ciara Woods, Ceire Nolan.

Subs:- Lucy White (0-1) for R Leonard (half-time); Aoife Halligan for C O’Reilly (38 mins); Emma Gartland for C Woods (46 mins); Louise Byrne for G McCrave (injured, 53 mins); Mischa Rooney for A Halligan (seventh minute of stoppage time).  

Referee: Ian Howley (Dublin).