Longford Slashers seek to reach the Ladies Football All-Ireland Club Intermediate Final

After blasting their way through the province on the path to a historic first Leinster title, Slashers are now setting their sights on a serious crack at capturing the All-Ireland club intermediate crown. 

Michael Fay Park is the venue for the eagerly awaited semi-final clash on Sunday (throw-in 1.30pm) and the four-in-a-row Longford senior champions will be in a confident frame of mind and particularly so with home advantage.

Despite conceding three goals with just 11 minutes gone in the Leinster final against the Meath Intermediate champions Skryne, the composed manner in which Slashers recovered to eventually come out on top suggests that the value of experience at this level might make the difference against Charlestown.

The Mayo Intermediate champions also created a piece of ladies football history in winning a first Connacht title and their star player is former county player Deirdre Doherty who scored 1-7 (3 frees) in the win over Kiltubrid (Leitrim) in the Connacht final.

Inspired by outstanding full-forward Doherty (also a former Republic of Ireland women’s senior soccer international), Charlestown looked in control when they held a comfortable 1-8 to 0-5 lead at the break with the aid of the wind in the first half.

But Kiltubrid staged a great comeback on the changeover and the sides were all square entering stoppage time before Doherty fired over a free for the winning point (1-10 to 0-12).

Charlestown were a lot more convincing in the comprehensive 3-7 to 0-6 victory over Roscommon opponents Boyle in the semi-final and their attack clearly pack plenty of scoring power.

Another big threat for the Slashers defence is wing forward Chelsea Doherty, the younger sister of Deirdre, and Charlestown will be coming to Longford in the firm belief that a place in the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Club Intermediate Championship final can be achieved.

While it is difficult to predict what will happen on Sunday, the task facing Slashers is a tough one when you consider that last year’s Mayo and Connacht Intermediate champions Castlebar Mitchells reached the All-Ireland final.

After beating Castleisland Desmonds (Kerry) 3-7 to 2-7 in the semi-final, Castlebar suffered the bitter disappointment of a narrow 1-6 to 0-7 defeat against St Sylvester’s (Dublin) in the All-Ireland title decider.

While Slashers found the going too tough against St Sylvester’s in last year’s Leinster Intermediate final, the talented team continue to grow in stature and skill and will certainly not fear Charlestown.   

With the commanding half-back-line of Orla Nevin, Eimear O’Brien and Clare Farrell leading the charge, along with Grace Shannon at midfield, Slashers will give it their best shot in a fierce desire to make it through to a Croke Park final appearance against Mullinahone (Tipperary) or Derrygonnelly Harps (Fermanagh) on December 10th/11th.

Picture Caption: The Longford Slashers team who take on Charlestown Sarsfields (Mayo) in the currentaccount.ie Ladies Football All-Ireland Club Intermediate Championship semi-final at Michael Fay Park on Sunday next, throw-in 1.30pm.  Pictured (l to r): Aisling Cosgrove (captain), Emer Casey, Laura Kenny, Emily Reilly, Grace Kenny, Orla Nevin, Eimear O'Brien, Clare Farrell, Aoife O'Brien, Lisa Nolan, Grace Shannon, Kyana Lee, Kate Shannon, Jessica Barry and Kara Shannon

Photo: Syl Healy