Longford Slashers 3-5 Shelmalier 1-5
helmalier exited the Leinster Intermediate Girls soccer championship by the hands of Longford Slashers for the second consecutive season in Hollymount on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts have been three factors to the nice after Eleanor Neville netted 36 seconds into the second-half, however they might fail to attain within the the rest of the competition because the Slashers took management and eased away to victory.
Whereas there was little doubt concerning the higher aspect, it’s only a pity the sport turned a bit extra concerning the referee – and his umpires – than the gamers on present.
Two large choices both aspect of half-time, made by the boys in white coats, each went towards the hosts, and with Ciara Neville additionally off for a nothing sin-binning the sport modified round these choices.
Shels performed with the breeze within the opening half however couldn’t construct the benefit they have been going to want. Very like the Wexford champions, the Slashers boast a plethora of county gamers of their aspect and customarily these are those who did probably the most harm as the sport went on.
The hosts had Róisín Murphy with a closely strapped arm and Áine Lacey, who didn’t look absolutely match, within the beginning line-up however have been lacking Ciara Banville from the aspect that beat Tinahely. Clara Donnelly was again however like most of the Shels attacking gamers, struggled to make an affect.
After a quiet opening, Shels nearly went in entrance when Ailis Neville’s effort got here down off the upright and her follow-up was smothered by Emer Casey within the guests’ aim. Kellie Kearney did put over a white flag however when the excellent Orla Nevin performed a one-two with Aisling Cosgrove the end result was an emphatic end to the rigging.
Kearney chipped some extent off the deficit however that was countered by Lisa Nolan to make it 1-1 to 0-2 on the finish of the primary quarter. Each linespersons have been from the host membership which at all times leaves room for raised eyebrows when choices just like the one to sin-bin Kara Shannon within the 18th minute for an off-the-ball incident fall immediately on them.
With the numerical benefit Ailis Neville kicked the subsequent three factors however Kara Shannon did instantly put the guests again on phrases after her return (1-2 to 0-5).
Shels have been in search of a penalty when Neville went down below strain whereas taking pictures in added-time however the referee bottled the choice, requested his umpires and so they got here up with no foul.
With Ciara Neville sin-binned simply earlier than the break, Shels burst out of the traps within the second-half and Eleanor Neville netted from Aoibhe Manley’s looking out ball. Nonetheless, the umpires have been again concerned once more two minutes later when a Slasher participant went down within the our bodies near aim, this time they beneficial a penalty and Jessica Barry transformed.
Nevin, who was a relentless supply of Shels complications, arrange Longford county Minor Kate Shannon for an additional aim within the thirty ninth minute, Barry kicked a free earlier than Kara Shannon had a aim chalked off for sq. ball as Slashers led 3-3 to 1-5.
At that stage, with 46 minutes on the clock, the sport was slipping away for Shels. They stored going however had no solutions for the structured Slashers defence. Aisling Corgrove and Kate Shannon added ultimate quarter factors to the Longford aspect’s tally as they superior to the decider reverse Skryne of Meath.
There was one late second of fear for the hosts, with Sarah Harding-Kenny taking a giant hit from an offensive Slashers foul proper on the finish of added-time, she did stroll away finally in a dazed state so hopefully a well-earned relaxation can be within the offing for the twin star.
SHELMALIER: Deirdre Fox; Ciara Neville, Sadbh McCarthy, Eadaoin Fitzgerald; Michelle Harding, Sarah Harding-Kenny, Beth Cardiff; Róisín Murphy, Áine Lacey; Clara Donnelly, Kellie Kearney (0-2), Deirdre Byrne; Aoibhe Manley, Eleanor Neville (capt., 1-0), Ailis Neville (0-3, 2 frees). Subs. – Leona Tector for Fitzgerald (44), Fiona Kinsella for Manley (53), Roisín Tobin for Harding-Kenny, inj (60+9).
LONGFORD SLASHERS: Emer Casey; Laura Kenny, Emily Reilly, Grace Kenny; Claire Farrell, Eimear O’Brien, Orla Nevin (1-0); Aoife O’Brien, Grace Shannon; Lisa Nolan (0-1), Aisling Cosgrove (capt., 0-1), Kyana Lee; Kate Shannon (1-1), Jessica Barry (1-1, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free), Kara Shannon (0-1). Subs. – Jill Glennon for Nolan (60+3).
REFEREE: Ray McBride (Dublin).
