Heartbreak for Longford U-16 ladies in the Leinster final defeat against Meath
Ladies Football Leinster U-16 ‘B’ Championship Final
Meath . . . 2-12 Longford . . . 2-8
A draw was looking the likely outcome as Longford were pressing for the equalising score deep into the lengthy additional time (16 minutes to be precise) but their title hopes were dashed when Meath substitute Kaitlyn Gallagher finished the ball to the net from a few yards out.
There was no way back for the gallant losers who were left to rue the squandering of several scoring chances in the first half, including a few frees.
Both of the Longford goals were registered by lively corner-forward Erin Murphy, the first in the 27th minute of the first half after a shot from Zara Drake rebounded off the crossbar.
Thus the Royal County girls led by just the minimum of margins at the break, 0-7 to 1-3, and Mostrim’s Murphy planted the ball in the back of the net again midway through the second half to leave the sides all square, 2-6 to 1-9.
But Meath pushed on to outscore Longford by 1-3 to 0-2 before the final whistle was eventually blown by Offaly referee Kelley Cunningham as the Leinster U-16 ‘B’ champions overcame the handicap of no less than three yellow card sin-bin fouls (ten minutes apiece) during the course of this exciting encounter that could have gone either way.
MEATH: Jessica O’Neill; Julia Collins, Lauren Rennicks, Afric Larkin; Eabha Hanley, Siun Hartigan, Niamh McGuinness; Sarah O’Gorman, Grace Summerville; Cliodhna Smith (1-4, 1f), Aine Downes (0-3), Ella McGlue (0-1); Robyn Larkin, Poppy Byrne (0-2), Muireann Nelson (0-2, 1f).
Subs used:- Ashley Kosturik, Kaitlyn Gallagher (1-0) and Grace Moody.
LONGFORD: Aoife Murphy (St Helen’s Drumlish/Ballinamuck); Grace O’Donnell (Longford Slashers), Amber McGrath (Killoe), Elizabeth Kearney (Ballymore); Kayla Masterson (Mostrim), Ava Finneran (Killoe), Edie Hogan (Grattans); Emer Igoe (Killoe), Mia Kiernan (St Helen’s); Rachel Keenan (Ardagh), Rachel Quinn (Killoe), Zara Drake (Ballymore); Erin Murphy (Mostrim, 2-1), Hannah Burke (Clonguish, 0-3, 1f)), Michaela Hand (Grattans, 0-4, 3f).
Subs used:- Lauren Maguire (Dromard), Serafima Monaghan (Mostrim) and Grace Tierney (Dromard).
Referee: Kelley Cunningham (Offaly).