Longford U-14 ladies lose out to Leitrim in title decider

13.06.10 | Leitrim 1-8 0-6 Longford | By Liam Cosgrove

Longford's hopes of securing a much needed tonic on the local GAA front came unstuck last Sunday as the county's U-14 ladies side lost out to neighbouring rivals Leitrim in the All-Ireland U-14 B Football Shield final.

The midlanders had been hoping to wrestle the title from their near neighbours after brushing aside the challenge of Antrim in the semi-final.

But it was Leitrim, spurred on by the industrious Ailbhe Clancy and goal getting exploits of Niamh McGuire, who were punching the air with delight at the end of the game at a rain sodden Our Lady of Lourdes Park in Mullahoran.

Much like Longford, Pat McWeeney's charges went into last Sunday's clash brimming with confidence after seeing off Clare in the semi-final. And it was the title holders who started the better, thanks to a free and well taken score from Emma Guckian and Ailbhe Clancy.

If Longford were to mount a serious challenge, much it would appear rested on the shoulders of Drumlish forward Emma Farrelly. And by the fifth minute, Farrelly showed just why as she lofted a delightful effort over the Leitrim posts following a mazy run.

Mandy Cassidy, also from Drumlish, was next to etch her name on the scoresheet after referee Yvonne Duffy penalised Amy McLoughlin for a push on the Longford number eight.

A minute later, Longford were denied by the width of a post when Emma Farrelly, some 25 yards out, let fly only to see her strike bounce away to safety with goalkeeper, Edel McLoughlin beaten.

That momentary scare seemed to galvanise Leitrim and Dearbhaile Beirne nudged her side back in front midway through the first half. Emma Farrelly, restored parity six minutes later from a free, but it was Leitrim who finished the first half with a flourish as points from Clancy (2) and Guckian opened up a three point cushion at the break.

In an almost carbon copy of the first half hour, Leitrim were first to ask questions of their opponents. Clancy, who was steadily enjoying more and more possession, almost caught the Longford defence napping and but for the reflexes of goalkeeper Shannon Woods, the Leitrim half forward would have added a goal to her first half tally of three points.

Leitrim fans however didn't have to wait too long for the breakthrough to come and the only surprise was that it wasn't from the boot of Clancy.

Aoibheann Flynn found Niamh McGuire deep in the Longford left corner back position. The free running full forward quickly turned and despite hoofing what looked a speculative attempt at a point, the ball drifted over a helpless Shannon Woods and into the Longford net via the inside of the post.

It was a crushing blow to Longford and one they never really recovered from. Niamh Feeney was brought on in a desperate bid to beef up things in the final third of the pitch but Leitrim continued to dominate.

Clancy stretched the lead to seven in the 38th minute when latching onto a loose ball 25 yards out. With Longford supporters growing increasingly frustrated, hopes of an unlikely comeback suddenly emerged when Longford were awarded an innocuous looking penalty.

Yet, as had been the case throughout much of the contest, Longford's luck was out as Kerri Harmon saw her shot parried away by opposing keeper Edel McLoughlin.

That miss effectively sealed Longford's fate and not even three further points from the impressive Emma Farrelly could derail Leitrim's charge to another U14 All-Ireland Shield success.

LONGFORD: Shannon Woods (Clonguish); Ailish Noonan (Drumlish), Rachel Farrell (Carrickedmond), Shannon O'Meara (Ballymahon/Forgney); Emer Heaney (Ballymore), Ellie Collum (Drumlish), Maeve O'Reilly (Colmcille); Mandy Cassidy (Drumlish, 0-1, free); Claire Farrell (Longford Slashers); Emma Farrelly (Drumlish, 0-5, four frees), Kerri Harmon (Longford Slashers), Laura Burke (Drumlish); Eimear Monaghan (Ballymahon), Aisling Greene (Clonguish), Lynn Gregg (Clonguish).

SUBS USED:- Niamh Feeney (Ballymahon/Forgney) for L Gregg (36 mins); Shauna O'Reilly (Dromard) for A Greene (44 mins); Gillian Farrell (Carrickedmond) for M O'Reilly (51 mins).

LEITRIM: Edel McLoughlin; Saidbh Sweeney, Shannon O'Rourke, Amy Prior; Shealin O'Rourke, Erica Maye, Lorraine Maguire; Clare Beirne, Aoibheann Flynn; Ailish O' Dowd, Emma Guckian (0-2, one free), Ailbhe Clancy (0-5); Dearbhaile Beirne (0-1), Niamh McGuire (1-0), Amy McLoughlin.

SUBS USED:- Caoimhe Canning for L Maguire (23 mins); Nicole Higgins for A O'Dowd (41 mins); Carmel McGovern for A Flynn (54 mins).

REFEREE: Yvonne Duffy (Cavan).

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