Longford LGFA: Crucial goals clinch the Junior ‘B’ title for Clonguish girls

Clonguish . . . 4-10 Sean Connolly’s . . . 1-10

Playing in their first adult final, the gallant Sean Connolly’s ladies found the going too tough against the Clonguish second string in the Junior ‘B’ Football Championship decider at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last.

Building on a well-taken goal from the vastly experienced attacker Alice Magan in the 12th minute, the girls in green raced into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead with the advantage of the strong wind in the first half but the Ballinalee side showed a lot of character to close the gap.

The evergreen Sharon Dowd (nee Treacy) scored a cracking goal in the 26th minute and just a couple of points separated the sides but Clonguish produced a strong finish to the first half that proved to be a decisive factor in the eventual outcome.

A brace of points (free and play) from livewire corner-forward Isobel Gacquin in stoppage time was followed by another score from wing back Caoimhe Madden to leave Brian Madden’s side leading by 1-7 to 1-2 at the break.

With the aid of the wind in the second half, the Connolly’s ladies (only a few years in existence) made a bright start to the second half with the first of five frees converted by another former Longford player Anna McDonnell but their title hopes were dashed when Emma Dardis scored the second goal for Clonguish in the 35th minute.

Now trailing by 2-7 to 1-3, there was no way back for Connolly’s against the stronger opposition who were so well marshalled by Ciara Sutton (winner of the player of the match award) in a most effective sweeping role in defence while Alice Magan, Aoife Magan, Isobel Gacquin and Emma Dardis (the top scorer with 2-3) were a constant threat in a sharp attack.

Further goals from Ava O’Loughlin (53rd minute) and Dardis (stoppage time) clinched a comprehensive win for Clonguish but Connolly’s are growing in stature and will bounce back from this disappointing defeat.

Substitute Ava O’Donnell and Sarah Murphy (2) were also on target for Ballinalee with Aoife Magan another player to get her name on the scoresheet for Clonguish who produced a fine overall team effort to win the Junior ‘B’ title.

CLONGUISH: Jessica Stewart; Erin O’Malley, Anna Flynn, Aoibhe Barden; Ciara McKeon, Lucy Maher, Caoimhe Madden (0-1); Alyssa Galligan, Aoife Kiernan; Aoife Magan (0-1), Alice Magan (1-1, 1 free), Ava O’Loughlin (1-0); Isobel Gacquin (0-4, 1 free), Emma Daris (2-3), Ciara Sutton.

Sub:- Cara Duggan for A O’Loughlin (stoppage time).

SEAN CONNOLLY’S: Caitriona Reynolds; Katie Glennon, Nicole Lynch, Bronagh Rawle; Caitlin Maher, Nicole Charters, Mary Reynolds; Milly Lynch, Sinead O’Sullivan; Deirbhaile Duggan, Anna McDonnell (0-5, all frees), Blaithnaid Rawle; Michelle Heaney, Sharon Dowd (1-2, 2 frees), Sarah Murphy (0-2).

Subs:- Deirbhaile Kiernan for E Heaney (23 mins); Emer O’Sullivan for K Glennon (38 mins); Ava O’Donnell (0-1) for S O’Sullivan (43 mins); Katelyn Farrell for C Maher (58 mins); Siobhan Tully for M Reynolds (58 mins).

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).