Longford Slashers ladies seek to retain senior title in tough task against Clonguish

Longford Slashers are one game away from achieving a magnificent seven-in-a-row of senior titles.

Standing in their way is a familiar foe. Clonguish have been their biggest rivals since they won title No.1 in 2020.

In last year’s decider, Clonguish made Slashers work, but the outcome was the same.

The challenge isn’t getting any easier from a Clonguish viewpoint. Slasher’s best players are arguably nearing their peak and the support cast is strong.

They know each other inside out as a team. Apart from the often-dazzling skill set on show, they work hard and are not afraid of physical contact.

Clodagh Lohan (winner of an O’Connor Cup title with DCU) is a clinical finisher who has been in excellent form.

She has huge pace and is an old school forward, putting the head down and creating havoc.

In the side’s last meeting in the group stages, Lohan scored 2-3. In addition, Clonguish lost her marker, Shauna Burke, to the sin bin for a heavy challenge on her.

Clodagh’s sister Caoimhe is an effective playmaker for her sister and also the Shannon sisters, Kara and Kate, who are both skilled finishers.

The powerful Grace Shannon at midfield also has an extensive scoring repertoire. Her athleticism and skillset are at an advanced level.

She also knows when to slow things down and is unselfish in her passing to better positioned players.

There is no doubt that she is the engine of this Slashers team and she invariably provides at least one moment of magic in each game.

At midfield for Clonguish, Ali Magan is vastly experienced and also has a strong engine. Shauna Burke played there alongside her in the semi-final. The drive of Ella Duggan is also an option around the middle.

The Slashers defence is a very competent unit. A real unsung hero for them over the years has been Eimear O’Brien, who reads the game extremely well. She can be relied upon to win loose ball and instigate an attack.

The Kenny sisters and Niamh Sheridan are other effective operators in their rearguard.

Orla Nevin at half-back is a real gem of a player, who combines skill with legitimate aggression. As a defender, she is attack minded and she will be very hard to contain.

In tight games, the sight of her coming out of defence, ball in hand, has frequently been an inspiration for her team-mates.

The only advantage Clonguish have over Slashers is that they are more battle hardened. Carrickedmond brought a ferocious workrate in the semi-final. Clonguish struggled to adapt to these conditions for three-quarters of the game.

However, they eventually composed themselves and put in a strong last quarter.

The Clonguish workrate needs to be unrelenting and they must be composed when scoring opportunities arise. 

Hannah Glennon at centre-back goes about her business in a no fuss way and can be relied on to get on the ball and use it productively.

Ciara Sutton and Ella Duggan (if she is retained at full-back) run from deep and the Clonguish forwards can profit from their possession.

Their defence sorely misses the experience of Mairead Moore, who is out long term through injury.

In attack, the experienced duo of Ciara Healy and Kamille Burke will need to be clinical with their scoring chances.

Aoife Darcy brings a spark to the Clonguish attack. The former county player is an intelligent playmaker and the sight of her weighing up her options on the ball will unsettle Slashers. She is also a reliable freetaker.

Slashers know that Clonguish will bring hard work and their heads won’t drop.

However, the champions are a slick machine when they get going. They have many attacking weapons in their armoury and in truth it is hard to find a weakness (‘keeper Emer Casey is another under rated player for them).

But expect a battle for the Alison Smyth Cup in the county final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday, throw-in 1.30pm.  

Prediction: Longford Slashers

Clonguish manager: Colly Clarke 

Colly Clarke is in charge of Clonguish’s bid for a first Ladies senior title since 2017.

He is a safe pair of hands. A Clonguish clubman through and through, most of his management experience has been in the men’s game (including winning a Roscommon junior title with St. Barry’s).

He previously managed Clonguish ladies and is now back in the ladies code, trying to stop what appears an unstoppable Longford Slashers.

Clarke is quick to acknowledge the strengths of the champions. “Their record is there of winning championships. They have good footballers and good forwards. We will have to perform at our highest potential in order to beat Slashers,” he stated.

To beat Slashers, Clonguish must first have their own house in order and Clarke feels that has been achieved.

“We have a great bunch of girls. They are honest and hard working. We also have competition for places,” he explained.

Two experienced players have recently become available. Niamh Darcy has returned from abroad, while Lynn Gregg is back from a long-term injury.

Niamh’s sister, Aoife, was out last season with injury, but the experienced forward is leading the attack now.

“Aoife is a good leader for us,” Clarke stated.

“Megan Glennon has been abroad with work commitments but we are hoping she will be back for the final,” he added.

While his senior team is bidding to stop Slashers, serious progress is being made at all levels of the ladies game in Clonguish.

“There is great progress at underage (the club won the U-15’s Kilmacud Sevens title this year). Coaches at underage level are putting in great work,” Clarke commented.

Clarke has an experienced backroom alongside him. Stephen Watters, Gerard McVeigh and Ian ‘Milo’ Reilly, as well as Female Liaison Officer Fiona McVeigh form a strong team.

“I brought in a good backroom and the girls are working well with them,” he stated.

Longford Slashers manager: Ciaran Farrell

Longford Slashers manager Ciaran Farrell is in his second year in charge. He was handed a serious winning mentality from his predecessor, Conor Clarke.

He acknowledges that taking on such a successful side is “not without its pressures.”

“However, the girls have bought into what we are doing. They are a great group of girls and thoroughly deserving of their success,” he stated.

While Farrell’s job is to lead them, it is evident that there are many leaders in this Slashers team. They are a driven group.

“The girls are close knit. They have been together on a huge journey. We have leaders everywhere on the pitch, such as Orla Nevin and team captain Aoife O’Brien,” Farrell commented.

That journey referenced by Farrell has included winning junior, intermediate and then six senior county titles, as well as an Intermediate All-Ireland title in 2022.

He also acknowledged the role of the experienced Aisling Cosgrove, who is “slowly coming back from injury.”

“Aisling is another leader for us,” he stated.

Farrell then mentioned another player, who will not be available for his side.

She also happens to be his sister, Clare. The former county player has enjoyed great professional success this year, as a nutritionist with Premier League champions Liverpool.

She came on as a substitute in the group game against Clonguish this year.

“Clare is not available because of her work commitments,” he stated. “We will certainly miss her talent and her leadership,” he added.

However, another Farrell sibling, Hannah is part of the squad. Ciaran is keen to point out that there will be no favouritism!

“I put the sibling relationship to one side as manager, but of course, it is special to have a family member involved,” he commented.

There is another strong connection between management and players, with selector Paddy Farrell married to player Niamh Sheridan, who is a dependable defender.

The rest of Farrell’s management team includes Aaron Flaherty, Monaghan native Gareth McQuaid and Danny Monks.

Brid Nevin, who is Orla’s mother, is the Female Liaison Officer.

Farrell is wary of the challenge presented by Clonguish. 

“A huge rivalry has developed with Clonguish. They have plenty of talented players. They are powerful down the middle, with the likes of Ali Magan. They have a dangerous attack, with players such as Aoife Darcy. We are taking the challenge seriously,” he stated.