Louth began life under new manager with victory over Longford

Louth 2-13                                                                                                                                    Longford 1-8

Louth began life under new manager Kit Henry with a comprehensive victory over Longford in the opening round of the LGFA National League on Sunday, with a goal in each half from the ever reliable Laura Collins setting the Wee County on their way to a first round victory in their second season at this division.

With five players making their debut on the day, along with the return of captain Aine Breen for her first full season since returning home from abroad, it was all smiles from a Louth perspective, as that second goal from Laura Collins inside 40 minutes set them on their way to an eight point victory, while Kit Henry could even afford to spring the returning Cooley Kickhams’ pair Niamh Rice and Lauren Boyle from the bench for late cameos.

Rice departed midway through last season to travel, while Boyle missed the bulk of last year due to injury. Both players returned to play a key role in Cooley’s Senior championship success in 2022.

Despite starting on the front foot, Louth struggled to make any significant inroads early on, shooting into a wind at the club house end of Darver, and trying to break down Longford, who were happy to have players behind the ball early on and play on the counter-attack.

Thanks to early frees from lively inside forwards Lauren Maguire and Ciara Healy, the visitors led by 0-2 to 0-1 after 11 minutes.

Both scores were sandwiched in between a stylish effort from Aine Breen, following a quick free taken by Laura Collins who combined with Kate Flood to set up her St Patricks’ colleague.

With 9 of their 18 first half attacks breaking down with the final pass going astray, as well as some misses, Louth struggled up front early on.

However, the reds were granted some good fortune on the 14th minute when a Laura Collins close range free managed to slip through the Longford hands on the goal line and into the net.

This put Louth ahead at 1-1 to 0-2.

Another Collins free increased that lead for the Wee County, however the home side were dealt a blow when wing forward Mia Duffy was sent to the sin bin for a clip of the heels.

Playing with a numerical advantage, Longford made it count, when Clodagh Lohan fed Lauren Maguire who swept the ball passed Louth keeper Rebecca Lamb Fagan to put Alan Mullen’s side ahead after 22 minutes.

That goal seemed to spark Louth back into life however, as back to back points from Kate Flood regained the lead for her side, with the second point emanating from lovely play from vice captain Shannen McLaughlin who finished with 22 possessions over the hour.

Following an industrious run from debutant Lucy White, Louth were awarded another free, which Collins duly converted to give them a 1-5 to 1-3 lead at the break.

Second Half:

The second half saw Louth go through the gears as they kicked 1-8 from 11 second half shots, as well as only losing possession 7 times in that second period.

Special mention should go to the impressive Ceire Nolan, with 22 possessions in the match the St Fechins player operating as a third midfielder, played a key role in a myriad of Louth attacks.

A wonderful turnover in the Louth defence from Nolan, eventually saw Shannen McLaughlin pick out Laura Collins with an accurate foot pass, and the Blues’ ace predator waltzed her way through the Longford defence to give keeper Rianna McGrath no chance, putting Louth 2-6 to 1-3 ahead after 39 minutes, with Grace Treanor finding the range from play beforehand.

Another Grace, Grace Shannon who played an integral role in Longford Slashers’ Intermediate All Ireland Club success before Christmas, continued to carry the fight to Louth, and the midfielder kicked the first of her three second half efforts to keep the home side honest, trading scores with Laura Collins, who was on fire.

Despite another magnificent point from play by Clodagh Lohan of Longford, Louth continued to have the upper hand and drive home their advantage, with Aine Breen who finished with 26 touches of the ball, Aoife Halligan (25 possessions), Ceire Nolan and Shannen McLaughlin continuing to produce some delightful passages of play and run the ball hard from deep.

Another excellent McLaughlin turnover, saw Aoife Halligan set up Kate Flood to wind one up with that lethal right foot for her third score of the afternoon, with Louth leading by 2-8 to 1-5 by the end of the third quarter.

McLaughlin again set up Collins who arrived on the loop to score from play, while Grace Treanor benefitted from some incisive interplay between Halligan, Breen and sub Niamh Rice to stretch that lead to eight points.

Grace Shannon continued to win kickouts and kick scores, while Ciara Healy converted another free as

Longford refused to throw in the towel in that final 10 minutes.

However, Louth put further seal on their victory, as either side of another Collins free, subs Niamh Rice who was set up by another debutant Caitlin O’Reilly and Lauren Boyle (free) got their names on an ever- expanding scoresheet for Louth, who opened their league campaign with an impressive victory.

Louth: Rebecca Lambe Fagan; Eimear Murray, Caoimhe Boyle, Rachel Berth; Aoife Russell, Shaneen McLaughlin. Caitlin O’Reilly; Aoife Halligan, Aine Breen (0-1); Mia Duffy, Grace Treanor (0-2), Lucy White; Ceire Nolan, Kate Flood (0-3), Laura Collins (2-5) (2f).

Subs: Eilis Hand for Boyle (41), Niamh Rice (0-1) for White (42), Lauren Boyle (0-1) (1f) for Duffy

(52).

Longford: Rianne McGrath; Rachel O’Farrell, Leanne Keegan, Emily O’Reilly; Hannah Glennon, Emer O’Brien, Caoimhe McCormack; Grace Shannon (0-3), Caoimhe Lohan; Kathlyn McKeon, Clodagh Lohan (0-1), Shauna Hagan; Lauren McGuire (1-1), Camille Burke, Ciara Healy (0-3) (3f).

Subs: Marie Kelleher for Keegan (41), Grace Kenny for Caoimhe Lohan (45), Ellie Lynn for McKeon

(53).

Referee: Brendan Rice.