Longford ladies on the way out of the All-Ireland championship

Regardless of what happens in their remaining fixture away to a strong Antrim side this Sunday, the Longford ladies are on the way out of the All-Ireland Junior Championship.

Derry . . . 6-10 Longford . . . 0-10

After suffering a heavy defeat against Offaly in Tullamore, it was more of the same against a much improved Derry outfit in the Round 3 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last.

The wide margin of 18 points separated the sides in the end and due to their much inferior scores difference, the difficult season is almost over for the young Longford squad.

Injuries and the absence of a number of players has made it a mission impossible under the guidance of the team manager Dave Lambert from Kildare.

Longford are facing another defeat against Antrim who are the hot favourites to bounce back from their surprise setback against Derry in the previous round.

Particularly impressive for Derry was talented attacker Aine McAllister who clocked up a total of 3-4 in posing a constant threat for the under pressure Longford defence.

The visitors built up a commanding 3-5 to 0-6 lead at the break and there was no way back for the midlanders who sorely missed the injured Michelle Farrell and Shauna Hagan.

Four of the Longford points in the first half were registered by Aoife Darcy (3 frees) with Katie Crawford and Shauna Madden also getting their names on the scoresheet.

Derry dominated the third quarter to extend their advantage and the home county were restricted to four consolation points from Kamille Burke, Crawford, Darcy (free) and Sian Gallagher.

LONGFORD: Aoife Cooney (Clonguish); Ailbhe Brady (Mostrim), Leanne Keegan (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh), Rachel Fallon (St Brigid’s Gaels); Fumni Talabi (Mostrim), Emma Bleakley (Dromard), Emma Farrell (St Brigid’s Gaels); Sian Gallagher (St Brigid’s Gaels, 0-1), Emma Doris (Killoe); Shauna Madden (Clonguish, 0-1), Katie Crawford (Carrickedmond, 0-2), Sorcha Dawson (Ballymore); Aoife Darcy (Clonguish, 0-5, 4 frees), Kamille Burke (Clonguish, 0-1), Mia Lynn (Mostrim).

Subs:- Hannah Burke (Clonguish) for S Madden (44 mins); Ailbhe Mulligan (Killoe) for M Lynn (44 mins); Zara Drake (Ballymore) for R Fallon (48 mins); Lauren Maguire (Dromard) for F Talabi (56 mins).

DERRY: Thomasina Cassidy; Amy Rose Mulligan, Sarah Hargan, Joanne Carr; Anna Donnelly, Sarah Heron, Sorcha Duggan; Blaithin Donnelly, Kate Hargan; Clodagh Moore, Cara Donnelly, Jemma Shivers; Annie Ni Lochlainn, Jeanette Slevin, Aine McAlister.

Subs used:- Niamh Hannon, Bronagh Brolly, Caoimhe Dillon, Erin Dillon and Rhianna Doherty.