Gallant Longford Town ladies bow out of the FAI Cup

Longford Town’s under 23 team bowed out of the Women’s FAI Cup on Sunday last when they were defeated by a physically strong Bellurgan United side at Bishopsgate on Sunday last.

Longford Town . . . 1 Bellurgan United . . . 2

One would have to say that the Louth visitors were an experienced squad who have many players who have played at a higher level than the teams who play against our very young team, and who are competing in the Cup which is a much higher level of game than our team are used to in the League.

Bellurgan started the game showing that they meant business against the Town’s very young squad. The game was a bit physical for the very young Town team but after a nervy start they got into the game and did well against the County Louth side.

This Town team were not used to the physical strength of the visitors and it was no surprise that Bellurgan went ahead in the 35th minute when the very impressive Kate Flood put them in front with a spectacular goal from around 25 yards, giving Jane Shortall no chance in the Town goal.

The goal was an excellent one but going a goal down seemed to spur on the youthful Town side and they started to put the opposition under lots of pressure.

The visitors keeper Una Pearson made a few good saves and the Town were well in the game going into half-time.

The Town upped their game after the break and it was no surprise that they got back into the game. The Town goal came in the 57th minute and it was a very well worked effort.

The goal was scored by the very impressive Caoilfhinn O’Reilly who did well to beat the experienced Pearson in the visitor’s goal.

After the goal Bellurgan brought on some new players to stop the Town as they were starting to make a big impact on the game.

The visitors went back into the lead in the 68th minute when a good through ball put striker Rebecca Crowley through on goal and she dispatched the ball past Jane Shortall in the Town goal to regain the lead for the visitors.

Town manager Jure Guvo introduced Lea Shannon, Edie Hogan and Mia Sharkey in the 72nd minute to stem the visiting team and it worked as the home side got in control and the visitors were under much pressure and they decided that they would defend their lead at all costs.

The game got very physical and that was not helped by some very poor refereeing and how one of the visiting players remained on the pitch after a terrible tackle is beyond belief. Alex Hayes had to be replaced by Lucy Coyle after the tackle.

The Town gave a great account of themselves against the very strong opposition and this game will only urge our very good young side to better things going forward.

The Town management are to be complimented on a job well done with this fledgling team against the very experienced Bellurgan team.

A big thank you to all the supporters and parents who came out to support the team on the day.

LONGFORD TOWN FC: Jane Shortall, Evie Grant, Sarah McCormack (capt) Alicja Lakomska, Lauren Maguire, Caoilfhinn O’Reilly, Leah Concannon, Maebh Ferguson, Eve Lawrence, Jodie Robinson, Alex Hayes.

Subs used:- Edie Hogan, Lea Shannon, Mia Sharkey, Lucy Coyle. Unused substitutions Elsa Bird (GK), Erin Rattray, Grace Gallagher.

BELLURGAN UNITED: Pearson (GK), Traynor, Gregory, Mathews, Murray, Craven (capt) Finnegan (Eimear), Flood, Crowley, Callan, Ferguson.

Subs:- Finnegan (Aine) Condon, Mulrey, Havern, Byrne.

Referee: Sean Finn (Midland Branch).