Louth minors defeat Longford to book their place in the Leinster LGFA final

Despite trailing at half time, you got the feeling that Louth who had just faced a ferociously strong wind in that first half, had the winning of this game in the palm of their hands by the time both sides switched ends for the second half, and so it would prove.

By the time referee Paul McCaughey blew for full time, Louth had scored 3-7 without reply in that second period, to emphatically seal their place in the Leinster C Championship final.

Such was the seismic strength of this gust that during the first half, a kick out from Longford keeper Aoife Murphy managed to evade every outfield player and dribble out over the Louth endline! You felt that whoever was shooting with the breeze at their backs in the opening half needed to retire for half time with a sizable lead.

Having the wind advantage in that first half, Longford unsurprisingly dominated possession early doors. Louth’s management team which includes former county and St Patricks’ stalwart Colin Goss a sturdy defender himself, would have been immensely proud of the defensive display in that opening half by Louth, as they limited Longford to just three points from play, with players like Maya Corrigan, Katie Mulligan, and Lucy Sheridan making life difficult for Longford in attack, while Zara Sweeney did not stop tracking back to help her defence all afternoon.

Despite their dominance, Longford only had an early Sián Gallagher free and an Ella O’Reilly score from play following a fine team move involving Elena O’Reilly, and Kayla Masterson to show for it.

Despite shooting into the elements, Louth still possessed the ability to create potential goal openings, and after collecting a Grace Stafford footpass, senior panellist Lucy White evaded several Longford challenges before passing inside to clubmate Chloe McCarragher, whose blocked shot trickled towards the goal, before White made sure by poking it to the net, for a crucial major against the breeze for the Wee County in the 9^th minute.

Lucy White who played a key role in the Louth senior side securing their Division 3 league status a few weeks ago, looked a danger anytime she touched the ball, setting up Mischa Rooney for another chance minutes later, which flashed across the goal.

Sián Gallagher and Erin Murphy were standout players for Longford and the former set up the latter for the visitors’ third score to level things up at 0-3 to 1-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Understandably, Louth struggled on their own kickout in that breeze, and from one Louth restart, Gallagher intercepted before putting her side ahead after 22 minutes, as both sides struggled for scores, with the visitors managing 5 scores from 17 shots in that first half.

Lucy White who finished with 17 possessions over the hour, sensibly elected to take a point rather than go for goal just before the break, but a free from first half sub Ella Jackson had Longford noses ahead at the interval at 0-5 to 1-1.

However, with that gust to face in the second half, you felt that lead was not going to be sufficient.

Second Half

The change of ends saw Louth play with fewer restrictions necessary, shooting with a huge wind advantage in a half which only saw them only lose possession 9 times in the entire second period, as they ran with the ball, moving through the hands, with Amy Murray, Lucy Sheridan, Eimear Callaghan, and Maggie Holland all effective in this department, supporting Lucy White and Mischa Rooney, who led the scoring charge for the reds as they powered their way to a Leinster Final.

On the other hand, the second period saw Louth force Longford’s hand, pressing up on them, which saw the home side turn their opponents over 22 times in that second half.

Combining with Chloe McCarragher and Zara Sweeney for two early scores, Lucy White was causing Longford no end of problems, as Louth took the lead for the first time since White’s first half major, at 1-3 to 0-5.

Longford keeper Amy Murphy deserves a mention in this second half, having produced smart saves to deny Grace Stafford and Mischa Rooney, as Louth looked dangerous with every attack.

Back to back Rooney strikes (one free) saw Louth lead by three approaching the end of the third quarter. The Hunterstown Rovers forward was the recipient of a fine flowing move started by the excellent Maya Corrigan in defence, which led to Rooney being teed up by Grace Stafford.

However, Louth all but made the game safe when Lucy Sheridan who impressed throughout with 25 possessions, collected a Mischa Rooney ’45 before slotting home Louth’s second goal, to leave it 2-5 to 0-5 in the 48^th minute.

Further Rooney strikes from play and frees added further gloss to the scoreline, while Maggie Holland got her name on the scoresheet, before a Rooney free evaded everyone and found the net to open up a sizable gap between Louth and their opponents at 3-7 to 0-5.

Rooney converted another free, before Lucy White capped off a wonderful personal performance with her second and Louth’s fourth green flag before the close of play to seal the Wee County’s place in the Leinster C Final against either Carlow or Wicklow in a few weeks’ time.

Louth: Molly Savage; Maya Corrigan, Vanessa Brennan ©, Áine Murray; Amy Murray, Katie Mulligan, Meabh Butterly; Lucy Sheridan (1-0), Eimear Callaghan; Lucy White (2-3), Chloe McCarragher, Zara Sweeney; Grace Stafford, Mischa Rooney (1-4) (3f), Maggie Holland (0-1).

Subs: Sophie Everett for Stafford (44), Ciara Boyle for McCarragher (48), Niamh Leonard for Áine Murray (55), Kayleigh Goss for Sweeney (58), Kayla Clarke for Sheridan (58).

Longford: Aoife Murphy; Emma Farrell, Amber McGrath, Kayla Masterson; Shauna Burke, Ailbhe Brady, Milly Lynch; Eimear Igoe, Sián Gallagher (0-2) (1f); Elena O’Reilly, Grace O’Donnell, Naoise Hourican; Jodie Robinson, Ellla Reilly (0-1), Erin Murphy (0-1).

Subs: Ella Jackson (0-1) (1f) for Robinson (26), Lara O’Connor for Lynch (HT), Hannah Burke for Reilly (56), Grace Cullen for O’Reilly (57), Amy Finnegan for O’Donnell (57), Edie Horgan for Hourican (58).

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Co. Westmeath).