Super Longford Slashers complete magnificent seven-in-a-row of senior ladies titles

A goal rush in the space of a few minutes midway through the first half put Longford Slashers in total control against Clonguish in the Ladies Football Senior Championship Final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last. 

Longford Slashers . . . 5-15    Clonguish . . . 0-14

Two apiece from Kate Shannon (the first from a penalty in the 13th minute) and Clodagh Lohan and another goal from the turbo charged defender Orla Nevin just before the break left Clonguish in a shattered state as they suffered a fourth consecutive defeat in the county final against unstoppable Slashers.
Ciaran Farrell’s charges thus completed a magnificent seven-in-a-row of senior titles and are back in action next weekend away to the reigning Leinster champions Kilmacud Crokes in the opening round of the Leinster Club competition on Sunday, throw-in 2pm. 
The player of the match award went to Slashers attacker Clodagh Lohan who scored 2-3 from play while considerable damage was also inflicted by Kate Shannon in the full-forward-line with a total of 2-4 (2 frees and the crucial penalty goal).
There was nothing separating the sides in the early stages for the expectation of an exciting encounter but it all went wrong for Clonguish from the moment Slashers got their first goal from a penalty converted by Kate Shannon, awarded for a foul on Clodagh Lohan.
Two more goals followed in the space of a minute from the always dangerous Lohan and when the lethal Shannon found the back of the net again in the 19th minute it was all over as a contest.
Latching on to a brilliant ball in from Grace O’Donnell (who scored a couple of points in the first half blitz), a fifth goal from the unmarked Orla Nevin materialised in the 27th minute which left the rampant Slashers side in a very commanding 5-7 to 0-6 lead at the break.
The second half was a tame affair with the damage done but Clonguish kept going until the bitter end. Aoife Darcy clocked up a few consolation scores to end with a total of 0-6 while Kamille Burke, Sophia Carey, substitute Ella Jackson (2) and Shauna Madden were also on target for the girls in green on the changeover.
Slashers added another 8 points to their impressive tally in the second half, three from Clodagh Lohan, a brace from Kate Shannon (frees) with Grace Shannon, Orla Nevin and Kara Shannon (her third score) also on the mark in this comprehensive success.
It is a measure of Slashers great strength that they were able to introduce substitutes with the quality and experience of Aisling Cosgrove and Clare Farrell and Clonguish were blown away in the battle for the Alison Smyth Cup.

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Emer Casey; Emily Reilly, Grace Kenny, Laura Kenny; Orla Nevin (1-1), Eimear O’Brien, Gemma Reilly; Aoife O’Brien, Grace Shannon (0-2); Grace O’Donnell (0-2), Kara Shannon (0-3), Caoimhe Lohan; Kate Shannon (2-4, 1 goal penalty, 2 frees), Clodagh Lohan (2-3), Niamh Sheridan.

Subs:- Aisling Cosgrove for L Kenny (half-time); Clare Farrell for Caoimhe Lohan (45 mins); Hannah Farrell for E Reilly (45 mins); Katie O’Brien for G Reilly (54 mins); Lara O’Connor for Kara Shannon (54 mins). 

CLONGUISH: Aoife Cooney; Ciara Sutton, Hannah Glennon, Maria Kelleher; Niamh Darcy, Shauna Burke, Mairead Moore; Ella Duggan, Alice Magan; Katelyn McKeon, Aoife Darcy (0-6, 5 frees), Sophia Carey (0-1); Shauna Madden (0-2), Ciara Healy 0-2), Kamille Burke (0-1).

Subs:- Aoife Magan for M Kelleher (21 mins); Hannah Burke for K McKeon (half-time); Megan Glennon for S Burke (46 mins); Ella Jackson (0-2) for K Burke (52 mins); Katie Reynolds for M Moore (54 mins).  

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).