Longford Slashers ladies dominance set to continue against Clonguish

Longford Slashers stand just 60 minutes away from taking an already remarkable period of dominance into territory never previously reached when they face familiar foes Clonguish in the Ladies Senior Football Championship final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday, throw-in 12.30pm.

Seven championships have come and gone since Slashers began their extraordinary run in 2019 and nobody has managed to take the Alison Smyth Cup from them. Victory this Saturday would complete an unprecedented eight-in-a-row, but there is an even greater piece of history within their grasp.

Slashers currently sit alongside Killoe at the top of the Longford Ladies SFC roll of honour with eight titles. A ninth would put the sky-blues out on their own as the most successful club in the history of the competition.

Standing between them and that proud distinction are opponents who have become very familiar with county final day.

Clonguish are seven-time champions themselves and a fifth successive senior final appearance now awaits for Collie Clarke’s side. It will also be the fifth championship final meeting between the clubs, with Slashers having held the upper hand in their recent battles for the Alison Smyth Cup.

Everything points towards Seanie Meenaghan’s defending champions entering as strong favourites who are plotting a charge at Leinster glory.

They swept through the group stage and have already inflicted a heavy defeat on Saturday’s opponents, running out emphatic 7-13 to 2-9 winners when the sides met earlier in the championship. Slashers then negotiated their semi-final with minimum fuss, gradually taking control against Killoe before powering to a 4-15 to 1-8 victory.

There remains an imposing familiarity about their team. Aoife O’Brien has captained Slashers through their last two championship successes, having succeeded Aisling Cosgrove, the captain when they completed the five-in-a-row in 2023.

The sky blues had 7 different players of the matches throughout their winning sequence and clearly have an attack containing numerous potential matchwinners.

The Shannon and O’Brien sisters, Orla Nevin, Emily Reilly, Emer Casey and Aisling Cosgrove have been there since the junior success of 2017 and they have not been defeated since with one of their greatest strengths being how they have kept the panel together.

There have been changes, though. Grace Kenny and Grace O’Donnell, both starters in last year’s final, are absent this season due to the dreaded Cruciate injury as well as long serving Gemma Reilly who is travelling.

On the other side of the ledger, former attacking star Jessica Barry has returned to the fold and provides another vastly experienced option for Meenaghan.

The turnover has been considerably greater across the divide. Clonguish come into this final without Ciara Healy, a key attacker across much of their recent period at the top.

Katelyn McKeon and Maria Kelleher, prominent figures in previous finals, are also not part of this year’s panel, while the absence of long-time star Mairead Moore represents another significant change from the Clonguish team beaten in last year’s decider.

There was, however, an intriguing sight during their semi-final victory over Carrickedmond. Former county player Alice Magan was togged out after not featuring during the season and her potential involvement on Saturday could provide Clarke with another experienced option. Alice along with her cousin Aoife and Ciara Sutton played an integral part in Clonguish’s second string Junior B win last Saturday and may now make an impact in the premier event.

What Clonguish unquestionably bring is momentum from their best victory of the campaign. Carrickedmond had already beaten them twice this year, in league and championship, before Clonguish turned the tables when it mattered most with a 3-13 to 2-11 semi-final success.

Their pace and direct running caused Carrick considerable difficulty, with the likes of Aoife Darcy, Sophia Carey, Niamh Darcy, Ella Duggan and Ella Jackson central to an impressive attacking display.

That performance gives Clonguish encouragement. The size of the task ahead of them remains obvious. Slashers have developed the invaluable habit of producing their best football when the championship reaches its decisive stages. Even as personnel have changed, their grip on the Alison Smyth Cup has remained.

Clonguish have spent the past four years trying to loosen it. On Saturday, they get another opportunity, but this time the prize awaiting Slashers is bigger than simply another championship. Eight-in-a-row and a record ninth Longford senior title are now just one victory away.

Prediction: Longford Slashers

Longford Ladies Football Junior ‘A’ Championship Final

Colmcille can overcome Ballymahon Forgney

The eagerly awaited Ladies Football Junior ‘A’ Championship final will feature Colmcille and Ballymahon Forgney on Saturday in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, throw-in 10.30am.

Having lost out to Dromard in last year’s final, Ballymahon Forgney will be hoping to make amends and secure victory under the guidance of manager Michael McCormack from Kenagh who is in his first season with the club while Dermot Murphy is also in his first year leading his native Colmcille.

Murphy’s squad came through the group stage in fine form, winning all five games but Saturday’s opponents really put it up to them - losing by just 4 points in a high scoring game, 5-17 to 6-10, and another entertaining encounter is expected on Saturday.

Ballymahon Forgney’s other defeat came against Rathcline when they were well beaten but the Innysiders gained revenge with a 3 points, hard fought semi-final victory over the same opposition. Key players for them include Aisling McCormack, Eimear McDonagh, new addition Caroline Fox and Shannon Reed who is having a fine season. In attack Ellen Finn is the danger girl who is scoring heavily in all the games and is one to watch.

Colmcille welcome back the very talented Michelle Farrell who was away in Canada for the last three years. Recovered from injury, Farrell will have a big part to play in the final.

Megan Jobe, Elysia Brady and Sarah Macken in attack and Grainne Reilly, Rebecca Murphy and Shauna McCabe are also key players.

Colmcille go into the final with a full squad to choose from and this will make them slight favourites but Ballymahon Forgney are playing with great spirit, physically strong and excellent in the tackle. They have adapted very well to the rule changes and will be quietly confident of gaining the edge in the final.

Prediction: Colmcille