Longford Claim Minor B Title

Longford 3-10

Dublin 2-08

By Dónal Fitzpatrick

Longford were crowned Leinster Minor B champions on Wednesday evening after a hard fought battle with Dublin played in front of a big crowd in a damp Clonard GAA.

Goals from Megan McCauley and Niamh Crowley helped the girls in blue race into an eight point lead midway through the opening half as they lead 2-04 to 0-02 before Longford were spurred into action.

A brace of points from Megan Glennon (free) and Ella O Reilly cut the deficit and Longford’s opening goal came after great interlinking play between Kate Shannon, Ella O Reilly and Anna Hayden for the latter Haydens pointed effort to catch out the Dublin keeper and drop over her head into the net.

Kate Shannon followed with another point to leave the gap at two points as half time approached. Longford were awarded a penalty when Fumni Talabi was pushed to the ground while trying to break towards goal. The resulting spot kick was coolly slotted home by Ella Duggan to see her side come from behind to lead by a single score, 2-05 to 2-04, at the half time whistle.

The wind and rain didn't help matters for both sides as the second half got underway, making handling and staying on both feet difficult at times.

Longford increased their lead through a Kate Shannon point and the sides traded scores as the half progressed with the action end to end. Dublin managed to keep in touch, but the elusive equalising point wouldn't come as Longford defended well.

The turning point of the game came from a mistake by Dublin netminder Laura Quane, with her quick short kickout intercepted by an alert Anna Hayden just outside the 21. She raced goalwards to slot home her 2nd and Longford’s 3rd goal of the contest to increase their lead to five.

Dublin battled on and they knew goals were required to bring them back into the contest, but unfortunately for them Longford defended courageously, stifling off any danger. The sides traded points before the ref called the game to a close, crowning Longford the Leinster Minor B Champions for 2022 on a 3-10 to 2-08 scoreline.

Longford play Sligo in the Zucar All Ireland Minor Championship semi-final in two weeks.

LONGFORD: Louise Tierney, Leah Shannon, Grace Kenney, Rachel Fallon, Fumni Talabi, Caoimhe McCormack captain, Ella Duggan 1.00 (Penalty), Ella O Reilly 0.02, Sián Gallagher, Megan Glennon 0.02 1F), Kate MacEntire, Sarah Macken, Kate Shannon 0.05 (1F), Elle Lynn, Anna Hayden 2.01.

Subs: Mia Shannon for Sarah Macken, Aoife Clooney, Siobhan Egan, Mia Shannon, Tessa Tiernan, Ciara Heaney, Caoilainn Morgan, Tamara Cosgrove, Isabelle Fay, Katherine Kilduff, Caoimhe Crossan, Kate O Connor, Aoibhinn Ginty.

DUBLIN: Lauren Quane, Anu Ni Mhurigheasa, Rachel Callery (C), Lana Nolan, Sarah Power, Sarah Rooney, Hannah McGinnis, Niamh Crowley 1.01, Heather Bolger 0.02 (1f), Kate Donaghy 0.01, Eabha Ni Maolagain 0.01, Sophie Mcintyre 0.01, Rebecca O, Reilly, Megan McCauley 1.01, Abigail McKeating.

Subs: Áine Rafter for Anu Ni Mhurigheasa, Annabell Timothy for Rebecca O Reilly, Nia Hannon for Niamh Crowley, Anna Watson for Lana Nolan, Kate Watson 0.01 for Abigail McKeating, Lauren Heavey, Shaunagh Delaney, Doireann Egan, Clara Finn, Juliette Evans Garrett.

Photo Credit: Damien Eagers