Longford Slashers conquer Charlestown to reach All-Ireland Final at Croke Park

Longford Slashers . . . 1-11      Charlestown Sarsfields (Mayo) . . . 0-10 

Kate Shannon scored the decisive goal with ten minutes gone in the second half, moments after Charlestown were reduced to 14 players when midfielder Katie Gavin received a yellow card, and this proved to be a major turning point in the match. 

That left the Leinster Intermediate champions in a comfortable 1-10 to 0-7 lead, much to the sheer delight of the home supporters among the big attendance, and Slashers showed fierce resistance to consolidate their firm grip on the game.

The commanding advantage was extended with a point from Grace Shannon in the 44th minute and while Slashers failed to register another score, a place in the All-Ireland title decider against Mullinahone (Tipperary) on Saturday December 10th was well secured at that stage of the game.     

Charlestown were unable to find a way through the rock solid opposing defence for a badly needed goal, even though they closed the gap with three points from their excellent full-forward Deirdre Doherty who accounted for the entire total of the ten scores (six frees) for the Mayo and Connacht champions.   

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Another Charlestown player, Ella Brennan, was sin-binned in the 51st minute while Slashers were reduced to 14 players when Grace Shannon received a yellow card in the 56th minute.

This was yet another great achievement by the all conquering Slashers ladies who have created history by becoming the first gaelic football team from Longford to reach an All-Ireland Club final. 

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Emer Casey; Grace Kenny, Eimear O’Brien, Emily Reilly, Clare Farrell, Orla Nevin (0-1), Laura Kenny; Aoife O’Brien, Grace Shannon (0-2); Lisa Nolan, Aisling Cosgrove (0-1), Kyana Lee; Kate Shannon (1-2, 1f), Jessica Barry (0-4, 3f), Kara Shannon (0-1).

Subs:- Jill Glennon for K Lee (55 mins); Grace O’Donnell for C Farrell (injured, 60 mins). 

CHARLESTOWN SARSFIELDS: Julia Gawalkiewicz; Clodagh Murphy, Lauren O’Donnell, Heather Johnson; Ella Brennan, Nichola Meehan, Elaine O’Donnell; Katie Gavin, Cailin Durkan; Shona Mahon, Chelsea Doherty, Nora McGovern; Kate O’Donohue, Deirdre Doherty (0-10, 6f), Jennifer O’Donnell.

Subs:- Eva Walsh for C Murphy (57 mins); Laura O’Toole for S Mahon (57 mins); Mary Kate Casey for E O’Donnell (60 mins). 

Referee: Eddie Cuthbert (Down).