Longford Slashers bring the run of Mayo champions to an end
Charlestown's great run has come to an end as they bowed out of the CurrentAccount.ie LGFA All-Ireland intermediate club championship, losing out by 1-11 to 0-10 against Longford Slashers this afternoon.
The all-important goal was scored by Slashers' Kate Shannon on 39 minutes. It was the one goal chance they availed of after creating a number of them during the contest.
Shannon also scored two points, while Deirdre Doherty was in terrific form for Charlestown, kicking all 10 of their scores.
Slashers, on home soil, were able to spread the scores around, with Orla Nevin, Grace Shannon, Jessica Barry and Aisling Cosgrave as well as Kate Shannon on target during that first half, and but for the display of Julia Gawalkiewicz in the Charlestown goal they would have had a few goals too.
Without availing of those goal chances and with Doherty keeping Charlestown in touch on the scoreboard, there was much to play for in the second half.
The Mayo and Connacht champions' cause wasn't helped by a yellow card for midfielder Katie Gavin. Slashers, leading by three, soon heaped further woe on their opponents when Kate Shannon found the net, giving her team a commanding lead.
While they lost Ella Brennan to yellow on 50 minutes, Charlestown showed great spirit to reduce the deficit to four points. They weren't able to reduce it further, however, and it's Longford Slashers who go on to take their place in the All-Ireland final.
Longford Slashers: E. Casey; L. Kenny, E. Reilly, G. Kenny; O. Nevin (0-1), E. O’Brien, C. Farrell; A. O’Brien, A. Cosgrove (0-1); L. Nolan, G. Shannon (0-2), K. Lee; Kate Shannon (1-2), J. Barry (0-4), Kara Shannon (0-1).
Subs used: J. Glennon, G. O’Donnell.
Charlestown: J. Gawalkiewicz; C. Murphy, L. O’Donnell, H. Johnson; E. Brennan, N. Meehan, E. O’Donnell; K. Gavin, C. Durkan; S. Mahon, C. Doherty, N. McGovern; K. O’Donohue, D. Doherty (0-10), J. O’Donnell.
Subs used: L. O’Toole, E. Walsh, M. Casey.
Referee: E. Cuthbert (Down).