Longford LGFA: Dromard triumph in the Junior ‘A’ title decider

Dromard were crowned Junior A Champions with a convincing win over Ballymahon/Forgney at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday. 

Dromard . . . 2-12  Ballymahon/Forgney . . . 2-4

Throwing in at 10am (there were four games scheduled for HQ on the day), the North Longford girls atoned for recent championship disappointments.

Despite the strange hour for a final, there was a good crowd on hand to watch an entertaining clash.

Dromard lived up to their favourites mantle, but they were made to work by a resolute young Ballymahon/Forgney side.

The experience of players such as Mairead Reynolds and Shauna Hagan was instrumental in getting Dromard over the line.

Reynolds was superb, with the 2016 All-Ireland Junior winning Longford captain familiar with every blade of grass on the pitch.

Others such as Karen McLoughlin (named Player of the Match) and the gifted Grace Tierney were key to the success.

The South Longford girls died with their boots on and it may not be long before they get some more silverware. 

Aisling McCormack put in a serious hour of work around the middle and Ellen Finn was the games top scorer, finishing with 1-2 (2f).

Dromard led by 2-5 to 1-2 at half-time but nine minutes into the second half there was still only three between the sides (2-6 to 2-3).

Shauna Hagan was a key figure in upping the ante for Dromard, with the county player getting to grips with the  midfield battle. 

Ballymahon/Forgney fought until the end but Cornie McGinley’s side had built up a sufficient cushion.

Dromard are away to the Dublin champions Raheny in the Leinster Junior Championship quarter-final on Saturday.   

DROMARD: Louise Tierney; Marette Brady, Emma Bleakley (joint captain), Cathy Conefrey; Eleanor O’Reilly, Karen McLoughlin, Shauna O’Reilly; Mairead Reynolds (joint captain), Shauna Hagan (0-2, 2f); Grace Tierney (0-2, 1f), Kate McEntire (0-1), Naoise Hourican (0-1); Rebecca Maguire (1-1), Elena O’Reilly (1-1), Lauren Maguire (0-2).

Subs:- Sarah Reynolds for Shauna O’Reilly (38 mins), Laura Martin (0-1) for Elena O’Reilly (52 mins), Michelle McManus for Tierney (57 mins), Helen Conefrey (0-1) for Hourican (60 mins).

BALLYMAHON/FORGNEY: Blathnaid McDonagh; Donna McLoughlin, Naomi Marlowe, Ava Fallon; Chloe Marlowe, Gemma Coyne (captain), Rachel McGann; Aisling McCormack (0-1), Eimear McDonagh (1-0); Ellen Finn (1-2, 2f), Clara Forbes, Orla McGann (0-1); Leah Ryan Reilly, Shannon Reed, Aiobheann McHugh.

Subs:- Nessa Finn for Ryan Reilly, Olive Forbes for Clara Forbes (half-time), Ariana Ronaye for McLoughlin, Bea Casey for Chloe Marlowe (both injury time).

Referee: Joe McDermott (Grattan Og).