Longford ladies find the going too tough against superior Leitrim

Under the guidance of new manager Dave Lambert from Leixlip after just a week in charge, Longford found the going too tough against a much superior Leitrim side in the opening round of the Ladies Football National League at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday. 

Leitrim . . . 6-17    Longford . . . 2-10 

Back in action for the home county was Colmcille gem Michelle Farrell after emigrating to Canada for a few years. Farrell fired over a well taken point in the early stages of the local derby before she was replaced with 23 minutes gone in the first half. 

Longford were rocked by the concession of three goals in quick succession from Vivienne Egan, Leah Fox and impressive full-forward Kate Gormley, the latter on target in the 12th minute, but were just five points behind at the break (3-5 to 1-6) with a speculative shot from Katie Crawford ending up in the back of the net on the stroke of half-time. 

Leitrim made no less than five changes at the start of the second half, including the influential Michelle Guckian, and there were a total of 13 subs introduced by the visitors who stepped up another gear in adding another 3-12 to their most emphatic tally in running out easy winners. 

Katie Crawford scored a consolation goal for Longford with eight minutes gone on the changeover and the focus now switches to another home fixture in Division 4 against Wicklow on Sunday next (2pm) when things will hopefully improve with the expected return of some more players.

The new rules were in operation but no two-pointer was registered during the course of the game against Leitrim who are a strong outfit and must be fancied to take the bottom tier league title.

LONGFORD: Aoife Cooney (Clonguish); Grace Kenny (Longford Slashers), Emma Doris (Killoe), Amy Creegan (Ballymore); Ailbhe Brady (Mostrim), Grace McEvoy (Ballymore), Emma Farrell (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh); Sian Gallagher (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh), Kate McEntire (Dromard); Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish, 0-1), Katie Crawford (Carrickedmond, 2-0), Elena O’Reilly (Dromard); Michelle Farrell (Colmcille, 0-1), Kamille Burke (Clonguish, 0-2), Aoife Darcy (Clonguish, 0-5, all frees).

Subs:- Riane McGrath (Killoe) for A Creegan (16 mins); Hannah Burke (Clonguish, 0-1) for M Farrell (23 mins); Casey McNamara (Carrickedmond) for E Doris (44 mins); Siobhan Egan (Carrickedmond) for K Burke (55 mins). 

LEITRIM: Martina Gallagher; Jasmine Maye, Charlene Tyrrell, Niamh Morahan; Aoibhin McGoldrick. Lauren Devaney, Rachel McIntyre; Chloe Dolan, Anna Devaney; Aoife Gilmartin (1-3), Leah Fox (1-0), Vivienne Egan (1-0); Siomha Quinn, Kate Gormley (1-6, 1 free), Emma Guckian (1-2). 

Subs used (unlimited) - second half: Michelle Guckian (0-1, free), Niamh Tighe (0-1), Ailbhe Clancy (0-2, 1 free), Dearbhaile Beirne, Shaylyn Ward, Muireann Devaney (1-2), Dearbhla Rooney, Michelle Hackett, Edel Shanley, Lucy Murphy, Katie Guckian, Roisin McGloin and Elodie Gazzonnet.   

Referee: Jason Buckley (Dublin).