Lethal Lohan the Longford Slashers star in quest for Leinster glory

Longford Slashers . . . 5-12 Tinahely (Wicklow) . . . 0-11

Longford Slashers ladies created further history in Tinahely on Sunday when they proved much too strong for a well seasoned home side, thus becoming the first Longford team to qualify for a Leinster Ladies Senior club final.

This was a brilliant performance from the Longford champions who were quick out of the blocks with Clodagh Lohan a constant thorn for the opposing defence.

The lethal attacker finished up with a personal tally of 2-9, all from play, in a terrific individual display.

The 2022 All Ireland-intermediate champions didn’t take long to get into their stride and early goals saw them lead 2-2 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter. Further green flags increased the sky blues advantage to 9 points at half-time as the Tinahely defence crumbled in a decisive first half.

Those first half goals from Lohan (2), Grace Shannon and Jessica Barry certainly laid the foundation for this 16 point victory but credit also to Tinahely who showed great fighting spirit throughout an entertaining game.

However, they just couldn’t find a way through a well marshalled Slashers defence who held firm and never looked in danger.

Leading 4-3 to 0-6 at the break, Slashers found their range on the resumption outscoring their Wicklow counterparts 1-9 to 0-5 in the second half to run out resounding and deserved winners with Kara Shannon adding the fifth goal.

Slashers now advance to face Dublin outfit Kilmacud Crokes in the Leinster final in two weeks time. The Crokes have won the last two meetings between the sides in the provincial series.

But Slashers ran them close last year and will be hoping that they can bridge that gap to become the first ever Longford club to claim Ladies Football Senior Leinster glory.

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Emer Casey; Sinead Masterson, Eimear O’Brien, Emily Reilly; Aisling Cosgrove, Orla Nevin (0-2), Caoimhe Lohan; Aoife O’Brien, Grace Shannon (1-0); Lara O’Connor, Kara Shannon (1-0), Jill Glennon; Kate Shannon (0-1), Jessica Barry (1-0), Clodagh Lohan (2-9).

Subs:- Niamh Sheridan Farrell for S Masterson (half-time); Sarah Glennon for J Barry (53 mins).