Off to a flying start
Tinahely topple Longford Slashers in opening battle
TINAHELY 3-15 LONGFORD SLASHERS 1-14
TINAHELY ladies negotiated the first hurdle in the Leinster Ladies football championship when they overcame Longford Slashers at Tinahely on Saturday afternoon last.
Played on a beautiful playing surface in lovely September sunshine, this was a keenly contested game all the way with the home side moving ahead after about ten minutes and maintaining a three- or four-point advantage until the final quarter, at which stage they moved to the final winning margin of seven points. They did this despite losing a player to the sin bin in each half. The Slashers fought all the way but were never able to get the game back on par once Tinahely moved ahead.
Laura Hogan at full-forward had Tinahely a point ahead after one minute. The lead was short lived however and influential Longford midfielder Grace Shannon put the visitors ahead when she beat Loretta Gilbert for the opening goal of the game.
Wing forward Kara Shannon added a point to put her side a goal up. Grace Shannon had been prominent at midfield in the early minutes but once Jessica Byrne, Aoife Gorman and Jackie Kinch came more into the game, the flow of play began to favour Tinahely.
Laura Hogan pointed a free, Sarah Byrne shot home a goal and Laura Hogan converted another free to leave the home side ahead by 1-3 to 1-1. A point from Clare Farrell and a second from Kara Shannon brought the visitors level at the ten-minute mark.
It was to be the last time the sides would be level as Laura Hogan then scored a second goal for the home side. Ciara Byrne quickly added another point. Centre forward Aisling Cosgrove reduced
the Tinahely lead to a goal just prior to the water break.
Tinahely were operating with 14 players at this stage as they had lost Ciara Stokes to the sin bin on13 minutes. 2-4 to 1-4 at this stage. Jessica Barry pointed for the Slashers after 20 minutes to keep up the pressure on the home side.
Laura Hogan from a free and Eimear O’Brien from play put four points between them again but Kara Shannon responded with a point. Longford centre back Orla Nevin was a pacey carrier of the ball and with Grace Shannon regularly made raids forward into attack. Laura Hogan pointed a free on thirty minutes.
Almost five minutes of added time were played during which the Longford ladies added points from Grace Shannon (2) and a Jessica
Barry free. Tinahely responded with a Jessie Byrne point which slipped over off the post. The score stood at 2-8 to 1-9. Tinahely were just ahead but the Slashers were hanging in. The game was still there to be won.
Tinahely made a great start to the second half. Jackie Kinch landed a mighty point from out near the 45. Sarah Byrne repeated her first half exploit when she banged home her second goal after three minutes. Laura Hogan pointed another free to open up a two-goal lead in the game for the first time.
Back came Longford. Grace Shannon scored her third point; full-forward Niamh O’Brien gained possession on the edge of the square and just had to score. A brilliant block from Sarah Hogan saved the day for the home side.
A Jessica Barry pointed free reduced the gap to four points. Tinahely were guilty at this stage of a number of missed scores including a couple of missed frees. They could ill afford these as they were once again reduced to 14 players having lost Aine Byrne to the sin bin.
Laura Hogan pointed another free and the response of yet another point from Grace Shannon left Tinahely leading by 3-11 to 1-12 at water break time. However, Tinahely finished the stronger in the final quarter. Aine Byrne was now back on the field of play.
Laura Hogan converted yet another free but Kara Shannon balanced that with a Slashers point. Aoife Gorman and Jackie Kinch added two quick points before Kate Shannon finished the scoring for the visitors with their final point.
Eimear O’Brien did likewise for the home side just as the game entered time added. There were four minutes played but no further scores to leave Tinahely triumphant in a well contested, enjoyable game by 3-15 to 1-14.
Loretta Gilbert; Shannagh Goetelan, Sarah Hogan, Emily Hadden; Aimee Maher, Aine Byrne, Ciara Stokes; Jessie Byrne (0-1), Aoife Gorman (0-1); Eimear O’Brien (0-2), Jackie Kinch (0-2), Emily Mulhall; Ciara Byrne (0-1), Laura Hogan (1-8, 7f), Sarah Byrne (2-0). Subs: Jade Shannon for Ciara Byrne, Niamh Kenny for Ciara Stokes, Caoimhe Murphy for Aimee Maher, Alice Mulhall for Emily Mulhall and Siofra Byrne for Eimear O’Brien.
Emer Casey; Jill Glennon, Eimear O’Brien, Laura Kenny; Aine Barry, Orla Nevin, Ciara Flynn; Aoife O’Brien, Grace Shannon (1-4); Kara Shannon (0-4), Aisling Cosgrove (0-1), Claire Farrell (0-1); Jessica Barry (0-3, 2f), Niamh O’Brien, Kate Shannon (0-1). Subs: Hanna Farrell for Laura Kenny, Orlagh O’Brien for Niamh O’Brien.
Barry Redmond (Clonard,