Longford Ladies JFC Final: Mullinalaghta come storming back to win the Junior title

The jubilant Mullinalaghta players celebrate their win over Rathcline in the Droplink Ladies Football Junior Championship Final at Emmet Park Photo: Syl Healy

placeholder image — The jubilant Mullinalaghta players celebrate their win over Rathcline in the Droplink Ladies Football Junior Championship Final at Emmet Park Photo: Syl Healy

Droplink Ladies Football Junior Championship Final (13-A-Side)

Mullinalaghta . . . 3-14 Rathcline . . . 4-7

Rathcline failed to register another score in the final quarter of this tremendous game as Mullinalaghta, inspired by the driving force of midfielder Ella O’Reilly, took over completely in adding another 1-6 to their impressive tally.

After hat-trick hero Edel Sheehy scored her third goal in the 49th minute, Mullinalaghta clocked up another six points - three from their clinical top scorer Lauren Burke (0-8 in total); a brace from Aideen Donoghoe with Laura Cunningham also shooting over the bar.

Rathcline remained in contention thanks to a string of fantastic saves by their excellent keeper Sarah Curran during the course of this roller coaster thriller.

MULLINALAGHTA: Emily Hand, Leah Farrell, Carmel McGivney, Antoinette Reilly, Laura Cunningham (0-1), Caroline McGivney, Ella O’Reilly (0-1), Aisling Scanlon, Rosa Lynch, Lauren Burke (0-8, 3 frees), Siobhan Leonard, Edel Sheehy (3-1), Aideen Donoghoe (0-3).

Subs:- Eimear Scanlon for A Reilly (half-time); Shauna Murphy for S Leonard (48 mins); Elaine McGivney for L Burke (stoppage time); Mary Reilly for L Farrell (stoppage time).

RATHCLINE: Sarah Curran, Niamh Flynn, Jane Dowd, Bronagh Kiely, Aoife Kennelly, Anna Maguire, Cait Kiely, Aoife Nolan, Lara O’Sullivan (0-2, 1 free), Eabha Healy (1-0), Grace Cullen (2-0), Caoillinn Flood (0-1), Chloe Hopkins (1-4, 3 frees).

Referee: Frank Toher (Killoe).