Longford let victory slip as late, late goal gives Carlow the edge

Carlow . . . 1-13    Longford . . . 2-7

Longford let victory slip in missing out on a place in the Leinster LGFA Junior Championship Final as Carlow produced a strong finish to come out on top at the GAA Centre of Excellence in Fenagh on Saturday last.
Utilising their substitutes to fine effect, the home county came from three points down at the break (2-2 to 0-5) to eventually triumph in advancing to meet the title holders Louth in a repeat of last year’s junior decider.
Sian Gallagher and Ella O’Reilly scored the goals for Longford who faded out of the game in the second half.
A goal from substitute Megan Townshend with three minutes of normal time remaining swung the issue in favour of Carlow who recovered from a poor start to snatch a fortunate win and were saved on a few occasions by their excellent keeper.
It was rough justice for Longford manager Brian Farrell and his squad but the girls in blue and gold will get the opportunity to gain revenge when the counties clash again in the group stage of the All-Ireland Junior Championship on Sunday June 15,
Longford’s opening fixture is against the title favourites Antrim on Sunday June 1, followed by a trip to Ruislip to play London at McGovern Park on Saturday June 21. The top two teams will qualify for the All-Ireland semi-finals.Shauna Hagan, Clodagh Lohan (2), Katie Crawford, Kamille Burke (2) and Sian Gallagher registered the points for Longford against Carlow last weekend but the team lacked the killer instinct to get across the line in the chase for Leinster glory.

CARLOW: Shannen Cotter; Sinead McCullagh, Clodagh Mahon, Katie Tunstead; Tara Lyons, Aoife Carroll, Marie Cranny; Roisin Bailey (0-2), Elaine Ware (0-1); Bronagh Nolan, Orla Woods, Ella Molloy (0-1); Sarah Nolan (0-2), Cliodhna Ni She (0-5, 1 free), Aibha Kiernan.

Subs:- Megan Townshend (1-1) for E Ware; Maeve O’Neill for O Woods.

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, 1-1), Aoife O’Brien (Longford Slashers); Shauna Hagan (Dromard, 0-1), Katie Crawford (Carrickedmond, 0-1), Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish); Ella O’Reilly (Mullinalaghta, 1-0), Kamille Burke (Clonguish, 0-2), Clodagh Lohan (Longford Slashers, 0-2).

Subs (second half):- Mairead Victory (Mostrim) for E O’Brien; Funmi Talabi (Mostrim) for K Crawford.