Longford LGFA: Clonguish reach their fifth senior final in a row

Clonguish . . . 3-13 Carrickedmond . . . 2-11

Third time proved a different story for the Clonguish ladies at Michael Moran Park as they turned the tables on Carrickedmond to power into a fifth successive senior football championship final.

Carrickedmond had already beaten Collie Clarke’s side twice this year — in the senior league and, more significantly, in the opening round of the championship, a result which ultimately secured home advantage for this semi-final.

When it mattered most, however, Clonguish found the answer with a 5 point victory over the hosts on Sunday morning .

Their reward is another county final meeting with Longford Slashers after a performance driven by pace, direct running and an impressive comfort on the ball throughout the field.

Carrickedmond were without the injured Lauren McGuire and missed her directness in attack. They were chasing the game for much of the contest, but never allowed Clonguish to completely shake them off, twice finding the net in the second half when the game threatened to get away from them.

Sarah Shannon opened the scoring from a free before Aoife Darcy replied and Katie Crawford landed the first of two excellent first half points. Sophia Carey then struck twice as Clonguish began to settle. Shannon kept Carrick moving at the other end, but the game swung sharply when Clonguish struck two goals in quick succession.

Niamh Darcy carved through the Carrickedmond defence on a superb solo run before finding the net, and Carrick barely had time to regroup before they were breached again. Influential half-back Ella Duggan surged forward and the move culminated in Shauna Madden finishing the ball to the net.

Suddenly Carrickedmond had a sizeable hole to climb from. They responded admirably. Captain Caoimhe McCormack pointed before Shannon landed a super two-point free, while Crawford added another terrific score. Ella Jackson replied for Clonguish and the visitors carried a 2-4 to 0-8 advantage into the break.

The individual duel between Crawford and Duggan was one of the features of the contest, but Clonguish’s greater spread of attacking threats was telling. All six starting forwards carried a scoring threat and their ability to attack at speed repeatedly stretched Carrick.

They emerged for the second half with real intent. Carey converted a free, Aoife Darcy added two more from placed balls and Kamille Burke pointed as Clonguish threatened to put the contest beyond reach.

Carrickedmond needed an intervention and their bench provided it. Ciara Mulligan immediately brought greater penetration after her introduction and then Grace Esler intercepted the Clonguish kick-out and found substitute Casey McNamara, who supplied the green flag finish Carrick desperately needed.

Caoimhe Mulvey followed with a point and suddenly there was life in the home challenge. Clonguish’s response was ruthless as Niamh Darcy caught Carrick sleeping with a quick tap-and-go and immediately accelerated the play. The ball was swept forward at speed before the impressive Jackson finished superbly to the net for Clonguish’s third goal.

Carrick still refused to disappear. Esler had the opportunity to make things particularly interesting when the goal opened up in front of her, but opted to fist over the bar before Sophia Carey and Hannah Burke restored Clonguish’s breathing room.

Leah Shannon replied and Carrick produced one final surge when Ciara Mulligan powered through the middle and Crawford finished the move to the net. Again the door had been nudged open for a late Carrick rally but once again Clonguish pushed clear.

Two late Aoife Darcy frees and a Madden point ensured there would be no dramatic Carrickedmond recovery as Clarke’s side finished strongly to take a deserved win.

Carrick manager Emmet Toher could take plenty from the stubbornness of their challenge, but Clonguish were the superior side on the day. Their pace, powerful running and variety in attack proved decisive — and for the fifth year running, they are back in the county final.

CLONGUISH: Aoife Cooney, Grace McVeigh, Alisha Manning, Emily McVeigh, Darcey Brady, Ella Duggan, Hannah Burke (0-1), Lynn Gregg, Niamh Darcy (1-0), Sophia Carey (0-4, 3f), Aoife Darcy (0-5, 4f), Rachel McGrath, Ella Jackson (1-1), Kamille Burke (0-1), Shauna Madden (1-1).

Subs:- Hannah Glennon for Emily McVeigh (14 mins), Sophie McKeon for Rachel McGrath (45 mins).

CARRICKEDMOND: Siobhán Egan, Ann Ryan, Orla Farrell, Clodagh Murtagh, Tara Esler, Caoimhe McCormack (0-1), Eimear Dempsey, Ellen Shannon, Leah Shannon (0-1), Carly Flood, Katie Crawford (1-2), Caoimhe Mulvey (0-1), Grace Esler (0-1), Sarah Shannon (0-5, 2f, 1tpf), Una Mulligan.

Subs:- Casey McNamara (1-0) for Una Mulligan (half-time), Ciara Mulligan for Ann Ryan (38 mins), Shauna McCormack for Tara Esler (46 mins), Niamh Feeney for Carly Flood (57 mins).

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).