Leitrim run riot in the second half as Longford ladies miss out on a semi-final spot

Leitrim . . . 7-20  Longford . . . 2-14

Longford suffered their second successive home defeat in Division 4 of the Ladies Football National League in missing out on a semi-final spot. 

While Leitrim proved much too strong in running riot in the second half of the last round clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last, Longford were just a couple of points behind at the break, 1-8 to 0-9.

Pat Tiernan’s side held their own in the first half with some sharp attacking play causing the visitors problems. Grace Shannon and Ella O’Reilly, in particular, were asking questions of the visitors.

However, Leitrim were dominant on the changeover in running out easy winners in the end. They are a much more experienced side than Longford and have some excellent forwards, such as Michelle Guckian and Ailbhe Glancy, while the athleticism of Laura O’Dowd was difficult to deal with. 

SCORERS - LEITRIM: Michelle Guckian 2-4, 2f; Ailbhe Clancy 1-6, 1 pen; Leah Fox 2-3; Vivienne Egan 1-4; Laura O’Dowd 1-0; Bronagh O’Rourke 0-2; Muireann Devaney 0-1.

SCORERS - LONGFORD: Edel Sheedy 2-0; Niamh Brady 0-4, 3f; Clodagh Lohan, Grace Shannon and Kate Shannon (2f) 0-3 each; Sian Gallagher 0-1.

LONGFORD: Riane McGrath (Killoe); Caoimhe McCormack (Carrickedmond), Leah Shannon (Carrickedmond), Grace Kenny (Longford Slashers); Katelyn McKeon (Clonguish), Ciara Mulligan (Carrickedmond), Orla Nevin (Longford Slashers); Sian Gallagher (Ardagh), Shauna Hagan (Dromard); Ella O’Reilly (Mullinalaghta), Grace Shannon (Longford Slashers), Caoimhe Lohan (Grattans); Kate Shannon (Longford Slashers), Niamh Brady (Killoe), Clodagh Lohan (Grattans).

Subs:- Funmi Talabi (Mostrim) for C Mulligan (23 mins); Joanne Whyte (St Brigid’s Gaels Ardagh) and Anna Moorehead (Killoe) for G Kenny and Caoimhe Lohan (45 mins); Maria Reehill (Killoe), Kate McEntire (Dromard) and Aoife Cooney (Clonguish) for O Nevin, R McGrath and K McKeon (52 mins); Siobhan Egan (Carrickedmond) for G Shannon (60 mins). 

LEITRIM: Michelle Monaghan; Edel Shanley, Charlene Tyrell, Eimhin Quinn; Sarah Reynolds, Kasey Bruen, Orla Flynn; Niamh Tighe, Megan McGovern; Vivienne Egan, Laura O’Dowd, Michelle Guckian; Ailbhe Clancy, Leah Fox, Aine Redican. 

Subs:- Elise Bruen for Flynn (34 mins); Orla Flynn for Shanley (half-time); Lauryn McKeon and Aisling Quinn for Tighe and E Bruen (45 mins); Bronagh O’Rourke and Muireann Devaney for Redican and Fox (48 mins); Eabha Moyles and Siomha Quinn for Egan and Guckian (52 mins); Clare Owens, Aoibh Treanor and Brigid O’Reilly for Guckian, Monaghan and Clancy (57 mins). 

Referee: Kevin O’Donnell (Dublin).