Another Leinster title as Longford ladies complete three-in-a-row

 26.06.10 | Longford 1-11 Westmeath 1-7 | By Liam Cosgrove 

Longford ladies, it seems, can do no wrong, and at a sun kissed Emmet Park last Saturday afternoon they underlined that sentiment as they edged past a dogged Westmeath outfit to claim their third Leinster Intermediate title in succession in boosting the confidence for the forthcoming All-Ireland campaign.

Tormentor in chief was full-forward Fiona Gettings who helped herself to a personal tally of 1-4 in what was an eventful game that at times belied both sides Division Three league status.

Knowing a victory would secure the all important three-in-a-row, optimism in the Longford camp was perhaps not all as it seemed with team manager Enda Williams having to reshuffle his pack after losing a number of key players to injury and emigration.

That said, the home side had for the most enjoyed the upper hand over their near neighbours in recent times, the latest of which came in March when the midlanders eased to facile 1-10 to 0-6 victory.

But at Killoe GAA headquarters last weekend, it was the visitors who started the better as half-back Elaine Finn broke the deadlock after just two minutes.

Slow to get into their stride, Longford did however level matters five minutes later when Edel Quinn slotted over the bar following a clever pass from Elizabeth Brady.

Longford goalkeeper Michelle Kilkenny was then called into action and had her palms stung by a rasping Sarah Dolan shot.

With both sides being understandably nervy, it came as no surprise that there was little to choose between them early on with the score locked at three points apiece after 20 minutes.

Spurred on by selector Ambrose McGowan from the touchline, Longford soon began to assert their superiority with Sharon Treacy, Edel Quinn and the free running Fiona Gettings pulling the strings. In fact, Westmeath could only muster a solitary point for the remainder of the first half via a Mairead McCormack free.

First, Edel Quinn and Anne Marie Bratten ensured the home scoreboard was kept ticking over and with less than a minute before the break the hosts went one better.

There appeared to be little danger as a high ball looped into the Westmeath corner-back position. However, a mix up involving a number of defenders and goalkeeper Gemma Leahy culminated in Gettings firing home to leave Longford 1-7 to 0-4 up at half-time.

Six points to the good, the feeling amongst home fans was not whether Longford would cling on but how much they would win by

Staring at another morale sapping loss, Westmeath had nothing to lose and any inhibitions they might have had during the opening half hour were quickly put to bed as they mounted a stirring second half fightback.

Lisa Rigney and Longford's Elizabeth Brady exchanged scores early on, but by the 41st minute, the six point cushion Longford held at half-time was cut in half thanks to a Ruth Kearney goal following neat build up play by Sarah Dolan and substitute Aoife Donoghue.

Longford, could and perhaps should have had it back straight away. A long ball found the onrushing Sharon Treacy bearing down on goal but she shot wide of the posts.

The elusive number ten also suffered a dose of concussion for her troubles after clashing with Westmeath goalkeeper Gemma Leahy which in turn caused the game to be held up for several minutes.

When the groggy looking Treacy dragged herself up, Westmeath still found themselves three points down as Fiona Gettings and Fiona Claffey swapped scores.

In desperate need of inspiration, Westmeath went in search of a second goal and with eight minutes of normal time left they almost got it, this time Sarah Dolan rattling Michelle Kilkenny's left hand post from a tight angle.

That proved to be Westmeath's last roll of the dice and befittingly it was Gettings who had the last say with a point seven minutes into stoppage time as Longford clinched a well deserved and significant success.

LONGFORD: Michelle Kilkenny (Dromard); Mairead Moore (Clonguish), Yvonne Barden (Clonguish), Marie Brady (Clonguish); Antoinette Brady (Killoe), Michelle Ross (Carrickedmond), Sinead Farrell (Rathcline); Elizabeth Brady (Killoe), Jacinta Brady (Killoe, 0-1); Sharon Treacy (Killoe, 0-3, two frees), Alice Magan (Clonguish), Edel Quinn (Killoe, 0-2); Anne Marie Bratten (Killoe, 0-1), Fiona Gettings (Ballymore, 1-4, two frees), Anna McDonnell (Killoe).

Subs used: Siobhan Farrell (Forgney) for M Moore (58 mins); Orla Noonan (St. Helen's, Drumlish) for A McDonnell (60 mins); Sarah Reynolds (Dromard) for E Brady (60 mins).

WESTMEATH: Gemma Leahy; Aileen Martin, Aoife O'Brien, Aoife Brady; Elaine Finn (0-1), Jenny Rodgers, Fiona Claffey (0-1); Johanna Maher, Ruth Kearney (1-1); Lisa Rigney (0-2), Laura Newman, Sarah Dolan; Carol Finch, Laura Walsh (0-1), Mairead McCormack (0-1, free).

Subs used: Karen Hegarty for M McCormack (34 mins); Aoife Donoghue for L Newman (38 mins); Kelly Boyce Jordan for C Finch (52 mins); Maud Ann Foley for S Dolan (60 mins).

Referee: Joe Murray (Dublin).

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