Four second half goals deny St Loman's in thriller

Longford Slashers 6-8 St Loman's 3-12

Two goals midway through the second half proved to be crucial as Longford Slashers got the better of St Loman’s, Mullingar in what was an enthralling game of football, in Farneyhoogan, Longford last Tuesday evening.

The large crowd were treated to one of the best games of football played in the Longford venue. Both benches went through every emotion as the lead changed on a number of occasions. There was more drama throughout the game than in an omnibus episode of Eastenders.

St Loman’s were reduced to 14 players in the 54th minute when Lara McCartan was sin-binned; although they were a player down, a goal from Vicky Carr cut the gap to just one point in the 56th minute. That was to be the Mullingar side’s last score of the game as Slashers sealed the game with a goal from Kate Shannon and a point from Caoimhe Lohan right at the end. A hat-trick of goals from the lively Clodagh Lohan proved crucial on the evening in a game that saw the sides level at half-time, 1-9 to 2-6, after St Loman’s lost a five-point lead.

Grace Shannon opened the scoring with a point inside the opening minute but Loman’s replied with a point from Caoimhe Kilmurray and a goal from Shannon Breslin. Slashers keeper Emer Casey pulled off a fine save in the sixth minute to deny Loman’s a second goal.

Kara Shannon kicked over a point for Slashers in the seventh minute. Loman’s replied with frees from Ciara Blundell (two) and Katie Kilmurray. Their speed and power caused Slashers problems.

Slashers were back in the game in the 14th minute with 1-1 from the Lohan sisters. Caoimhe scored a point before Clodagh grabbed the Longford side’s first goal of the game. They were dealt a blow in the 19th minute when Grace Kenny had to go off with a shoulder injury.

Points from Grace Shannon and Orla Nevin edged Slashers back in front in the 22nd minute. The lead lasted four minutes; two points from Lucy McCartan put Loman’s in front in the 27th minute. Three unanswered points stretched Loman’s lead to five points approaching half-time.

Slashers, though, were back on level terms going in at the break thanks to a fantastic goal from Clodagh Lohan in additional time. It was all to play for in the second half.

That second half had everything including missed chances, a sin bin, a penalty that wasn’t given and more goals. Loman’s came out for the second half with a real purpose. Katie Kilmurray gave them the lead again in the 32nd minute. Blundell fired over another point before Breslin found the back of the net with a superb goal; the power of the shot gave the Slashers netminder no chance.

Grace Shannon fired over a free before the home side had chances to get more scores but took the wrong option on a number of occasions and were guilty of poor shot selection. The turning point of the game came in the 40th minute. Caoimhe Kilmurray played the ball to Breslin but the full-forward hit her shot just wide.

Slashers went up the other end and Kara Shannon grabbed her side’s third goal to cut the deficit to just one point. Blundell hit over a point for Loman’s. In the 44th minute Kara Shannon got her second goal of the game when she lobbed the ball over Loman’s keeper Jane McKenna.

One minute later and Loman’s were rocked when Slashers got a fifth goal; Clodagh Lohan’s effort came off the bottom and ended up in the net. The Longford champions were now four points in front but the game was still in the balance.

Lara McCartan received a yellow card in the 54th minute but despite the numerical disadvantage, it was a one point game in the 56th minute when Vicky Carr scored a fine goal. That was cancelled out one minute later when Kate Shannon got Slashers’ sixth goal. They were also denied a penalty when Nevin was taken down.

Caoimhe Lohan fired over a point in the first minute of stoppage time. Katie Kilmurray hit a free minutes later but it was stopped on the line as the home side held on for the win.

Scorers – Longford Slashers: Kara Shannon 2-1, Clodagh Lohan 3-0, Grace Shannon 0-4 (2f), Kate Shannon 1-0, Caoimhe Lohan 0-2, Orla Nevin 0-1.

St Loman’s, Mullingar: Shannon Breslin 2-0, Vicky Carr 1-1, Ciara Blundell 0-4 (2f), Lucy McCartan 0-3, Caoimhe Kilmurray and Katie Kilmurray (1f) 0-2 each

Longford Slashers: Emer Casey; Gemma Reilly, Emily Reilly, Grace Kenny; Orla Nevin, Eimear O’Brien, Niamh Sheridan; Aoife O’Brien, Grace Shannon; Aisling Cosgrove, Kara Shannon, Grace O’Donnell; Kate Shannon, Clodagh Lohan, Caoimhe Lohan. Subs: Jill Gannon for G Kenny (22), Kyana Lee for K Shannon (60+4).

St Loman’s: Jane McKenna; Katie Dunne, Megan Ennis, Lara McCartan; Julie McLaughlin, Muireann Scally, Ellen Kilmurray; Vicky Carr, Caoimhe Kilmurray; Laura Murphy, Lucy McCartan, Ciara Blundell; Sandra McGrath, Shannon Breslin, Katie Kilmurray. Subs: Meabh O’Hara for L Murphy (42), Keelie Mulderry for S McGrath (48).

Referee: Ciaran Groome (Offaly).