Killoe ladies advance in Leinster but no joy for unlucky Longford Slashers and Dromard

There were three Longford ladies clubs in action in Leinster last weekend.

Killoe progressed to the semi-finals of the Intermediate Championship with a landslide win over Wicklow opponents Eire Og, Greystones. 

However, both Longford Slashers and Dromard were left to reflect on what could have been.

County Senior champions Slashers had the daunting task of facing Dublin powerhouses Kilmacud Crokes in their home ground in Stillorgan.

Boasting inter-county players from a number of counties, Kilmacud were easy winners over this year’s seven in a row champions Slashers in the 2024 provincial series.

However, this year’s rematch was much tighter, with Kilmacud only prevailing by five points on a scoreline of 3-8 to 1-9.

Slashers were missing Kara Shannon and the Farrell sisters, Hannah and Clare, who were all unavailable for the fixture.

Caoimhe Lohan scored the Slashers’ goal. She won a turnover and with Kilmacud and Galway ‘keeper Dearbhla Gower out of her goal, she rifled the ball into an empty net.

Slashers missed a penalty in the closing stages of the first half with Kate Shannon’s kick going wide of the post while Grace O’Donnell had a shot saved by Gower.

Apart from Caoimhe Lohan’s 1-1 tally, the other Slashers scorers were Kate Shannon (0-3), Grace Shannon (0-2), Clodagh Lohan (0-2) and Grace O’Donnell (0-1)

Amy Conroy scored two goals for Kilmacud, with Cork’s Niamh Cotter scoring 0-4.

While it was a very respectable performance from Slashers, they could have scored a shock win over the 3-in-a-row Leinster champions. 

Killoe had a 6-17 to 0-2 win away to a very young Eire Og side in Wicklow. Their prize is a home semi-final against Kildare champions Ballyna in the Leinster Intermediate Club competition which will throw-in on Saturday next in Emmet Park at 2pm.

No less than nine Killoe players got on the scoresheet. Niamh Brady led the way with 2-7 while Ailbhe Mulligan scored 2-1.

Other scorers for Liam Higgin’s side were Anna McDonnell (0-4), Jacinta Brady (0-1), Anne Marie Gately (0-1), Mia Shannon (1-0), Maria Reehill (0-2), Aideen Mulligan (1-0), Donna Garry (0-1).

Eire Og missed a penalty and Killoe kept them scoreless for the first half, 2-8 to 0-0. 

Meanwhile, Dromard lost by just a point away to Dublin champions Raheny in the Leinster Junior Championship quarter-final.

Losing out by 2-5 to 2-4, Dromard were 1-4 to 1-1 behind at half-time.

Dromard produced a strong second half display against a packed Raheny defence.

Elena O’Reilly found the net in either half for Dromard. Raheny only managed 1-1 in the second half. The goal came from a penalty with Dromard unhappy with the awarding of the spot kick.

Late in the game, Dromard had two goal efforts cleared off the line.

Dromard were also grateful for the efforts of ‘keeper Louise Tierney who made a number of great saves.

Apart from Elena O’Reilly, Dromard scorers were Mairead Reynolds, Shauna Hagan and Grace Tierney (all a point apiece).