Droplink Longford Ladies Senior Football Championship: Clonguish lay down marker as they overcome Carrickedmond

Clonguish convincingly overcame the challenge of Carrickedmond in a disappointing encounter in Allen Park, last Sunday afternoon.

Droplink Longford Ladies Senior Football Championship Group 1 Round 1: Clonguish 2-14 Carrickedmond 0-7 

Widely regarded to have been the pivotal clash of the opening weekend of the Droplink Longford Ladies Senior Football Championship, this Group 1 encounter never lived up to the billing.

Clonguish and Carrickedmond would be considered the two likely challengers to Longford Slashers’ reign and the winners of Sunday’s encounter would likely top their group and avoid the 4 in a row champions in a semi final pairing.

So much was at stake in the preliminary round, but Clonguish with the aid of the breeze steamrolled their opponents in the first half to take a commanding fourteen point lead at the break, 2-10 to 0-2, which they never relinquished.

Clonguish manager Graham Maher fielded a strong team with a welcome return to championship football for former county player Aoife Darcy, who was excellent throughout on her way to tallying 1-8.

Clonguish have some potent attackers in Darcy, Ciara Healy, Hannah Burke and Ali Magan contributed greatly to their large total in this tie. Though, they will be without veterans from their last championship win in 2017 in this year’s championship such as Aisling Greene, Oonagh Shanley, Lynn Gregg and Oonagh McGowan but county attacker Kamille Burke will return in the coming rounds.

The Newtownforbes side were also defensively resolute with a strong spine consisting of Hannah Glennon in midfield, experienced half Mairead Moore, centre back Teni Alaba and full back Maria Kelleher, who won her first cap with Connacht Rugby only a day previous.

Clonguish raced into a five point lead before Carrick opened their account with a Katie Crawford point. Hannah Burke opened the scoring and this was swiftly followed up with 1-1 from the dangerous Darcy.

Points from Magan, Healy, Darcy and an excellent effort from midfielder Katelyn McKeon extended their lead but Carrick were guilty of missing gilt-edged goal chances to keep themselves in contention. Casey McNamara missed from close range before Caoimhe McCormack brought out a wonderful save from talented net minder Aoife Cooney, while Ciara Mulligan’s thundering effort just went over the bar.

Ciara Healy punished her opponents mishaps when she raised a green flag, points followed from Darcy (free) and Burke to take a 2-10 to 0-2 point lead at the break.

On the resumption of play, Carrickedmond gained the wind advantage and took the initiative with points from veteran Michelle Mulvey, Casey McNamara, Leah Shannon (2) and a brace from Katie Crawford.

Darcy kept Clonguish in touch throughout the second half with excellent placed balls while experienced defender Caitriona Moore ensured a clean sheet for her side when she stopped Casey McNamara’s goal bound effort on the line.

Carrickedmond have a home game against Grattans to kick start their championship hopes in a must win encounter next Sunday whilst Clonguish face Mostrim in Devine Park at the same time. Undoubtedly, the clash of next weekend takes place in Emmet Park as steady improving Killoe, who recently won the Gold Cup, take on history chasing Longford Slashers, who recently won the League for the first time in 40 years.

CLONGUISH: Aoife Cooney; Caitriona Moore, Maria Kelleher, Maria Crossan; Mairead Moore, Teni Alaba, Shauna Burke; Hannah Glennon, Katelyn McKeon (0-1); Ciara McKeon, Niamh Darcy, Ali Magan (0-2); Ciara Healy (1-1), Hannah Burke (0-2), Aoife Darcy (1-8, 0-4 frees).

Subs: Amy Burke for Ali Magan (27 mins, inj), Bolu Alaba for Mairead Moore (36 mins, inj).

CARRICKEDMOND: Siobhan Egan; Ellen Byrne, Grace Esler, Claire Flood; Eimear Dempsey, Shauna McCormack, Ann Ryan; Leah Shannon (0-1, 1f), Anne Burns; Caoimhe McCormack, Katie Crawford (0-3), Michelle Noonan; Ciara Mulligan (0-1), Casey McNamara (0-1), Rachel O’Farrell.

Subs: Aimee Higgins for Claire Flood (14 mins), Michelle Mulvey (0-1, 1f) for Casey McNamara (18 mins), Casey McNamara for Anne Burns (43 mins).

REFEREE: Padraig McKenna, Emmet Óg.

And they're off! All set for Abbott Longford Marathon on Sunday