Longford ladies on course for semi final berth despite Waterford draw

Longford Ladies took to the field again in the fourth round of the All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship when they welcomed Waterford to Emmet Park, Killoe on Sunday last and a very exciting encounter ended in a draw.

08.08.10 | Longford 1-16 Waterford 3-10 | By Longford Leader

Longford play their final fixture in Group A away to Antrim on Sunday next and a win will put them through to the semi-final against Donegal or Cavan.

Waterford started off the scoring when they were awarded a free in the 2nd minute which was converted by centre-half-forward Michelle Ryan. A very fast Waterford side looked like creating a lot of problems for Longford as they continuously won ball at the centre of the field and broke forward.

However, the visitors found it difficult to break through the Longford defence with resolute backs like Mairead Moore, Sinead Farrell, Marie Brady and Yvonne Barden breaking down their attacks at vital moments.

Mairead Moore broke out from defence in the 5th minute to link up with Anne Marie Bratten who found the on form Fiona Gettings. Gettings evaded the defence and shot on goal only for the Waterford keeper to pull off a fine save and put the ball over the bar.

Waterford's Michelle Ryan pointed another fine score moments later but another attack was broken down by Mairead Moore who found Edel Quinn as she came out of defence. Quinn linked with Ann Marie Bratten and she finished in style with the ball planted in the back of the net.

Longford stayed on top then and looked as if they would finish off the Waterford side. Fiona Gettings (3) and Edel Quinn pointed for Longford before Waterford registered another score through half forward Grainne Kenneally and moments later corner forward Michelle McGrath was on target.

Before the end of the first half Longford tagged on another three points, the best coming from an excellent individual run from the backline. Mairead Moore showed great vision when she picked out Yvonne Barden who burst up the field, played a one-two with Fiona Gettings who fired the ball over the bar.

Edel Quinn and Sharon Treacy (free) were also on target for Longford. Waterford were awarded another free in which Michelle Ryan converted effortlessly. Half-time score showed Longford on top, leading by 1-8 to 0-5.

Waterford came out in the second hard more determined to get to grips with the Longford side and succeeded in doing so. Within ten minutes Waterford scored 2-2 without reply through Maria Delahunty (goal), Michelle Ryan (1-1, both frees) and Sinead Ryan (0-1).

Longford were struggling to compete for possession at midfield and were finding it extremely difficult to get the ball past the half way line. But some positional switches were made, moving Sharon Treacy to midfield in the hope of contesting and winning more ball. Treacy won the kick out and set up Gettings to register Longford's first point of the second half in the 41st minute.

Elizabeth Brady fired the ball over the bar moments later for Longford but this was answered with a goal down the opposite end by Waterford's Sinead Ryan seconds after.

Sharon Treacy and Michelle Ryan (Waterford) exchanged frees, Treacy (3) and Ryan (1).

The final 10 minutes of the game was tense with the teams level on more than one occasion but neither could put the finishing touches on it and pull away. Longford added another three points before the final whistle through Elizabeth Brady, Fiona Gettings and Sharon Treacy and Waterford another two points through Sinead Ryan.

Waterford finished the game with 14 players when Grainne Kenneally was sin binned for a dangerous high tackle on Mairead Moore. The final whistle was blown and the game ended in a draw as both teams maintained their unbeaten record in the championship.

Best for Longford in defence were Mairead Moore, Sinead Farrell and Yvonne Barden while in the forwards Sharon Treacy and Fiona Gettings figured prominently.

LONGFORD: Michelle Kilkenny; Marie Brady, Yvonne Barden, Mairead Moore; Sinead Farrell, Michelle Ross, Antoinette Brady; Jacinta Brady, Elizabeth Brady; Sharon Treacy, Edel Quinn, Anne Marie Bratten; Aisling O'Hara, Fiona Gettings, Anna McDonnell.

Sub used:- Alice Magan for AM Bratten (59 mins).

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