Lohan's second half hat-trick icing on the cake for Longford

Leinster Minor B Championship Final

Longford 7-12
Westmeath 1-10

By Aisling Clery in Coralstown Kinnegad

A second half hat trick from player of the match Clodagh Lohan ensured the Leinster Minor B Cup will reside in Longford this season after an exciting contest against Westmeath in Coralstown Kinnegad on Monday afternoon. The Grattans player’s surging runs were no match for the Westmeath defence and they finished with aplomb.

Longford were first to raise white flags with Hannah Glennon’s left boot and Dearbhaile Rooney helping Longford to an early two point lead. Grace Halligan put Westmeath back in the driving seat when she hit the net. Their lead however wasn’t to last as Glennon found the net after Rooney’s initial shot rebounded off the upright.

Halligan split the posts to make it a one point game, however Longford upped the ante and two quick fire Ciara Healy points pushed Longford into a three point lead. It was a lead they were not to relinquish. Two goals in quick succession from Grace Shannon and Dearbhaile Rooney handed Longford a 3-04 to 1-01 lead midway through the half.

Westmeath were pressing hard and unlucky to not find the net as they had a shot saved off the line; the Longford defence standing solid. The teams traded scores with Lauren McGuire pointing for Longford before Halligan grabbed her second point. Longford finished the half the stronger however as a Clodagh Lohan point was added to a fourth Longford goal courtesy of Molly Mulvihill.

The teams traded scores early in the second half – Vicky Carr getting Westmeath’s third point of the contest before Clodagh Lohan raised her second white flag. The game was end to end but it was Longford that kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Clodagh Lohan grabbed Longford’s fifth goal, rounding Westmeath keeper Sinéad Byrne before tapping home to an empty net. Lohan added a second goal a moment later before Ciara Healy converted a free to put the game out of Westmeath’s reach. A brace of Halligan points gave the maroon and white side some hope but Lohan’s third goal ensured victory with ten minutes remaining on the clock.

The sides traded points with Grace Halligan and Amelia Shaw pointing for Westmeath while Grace Shannon, McGuire and substitute Kamile Burke all raised white flags for Longford. Halligan enjoyed a fine outing, the Athlone footballer finishing with 1-06, but as the old adage goes, ‘goals win games’ and Longford were fortunate to finish with seven. They will look forward to an All Ireland Minor B semi final in July.

Scorers: Longford – Clodagh Lohan (3-03), Molly Mulvihill (1-01), Hannah Glennon (1-01), Dearbhaile Rooney (1-01), Grace Shannon (1-01), Lauren McGuire (0-02), Ciara Healy (0-02, 1f), Kamile Burke (0-01)

Westmeath: Grace Halligan (1-06, 2f), Vicky Carr (0-02), Amelia Shaw and Sinéad Murtagh (0-01 each).

Longford: R McGrath, C Sutton, S Dawson, K McLoughlin, C Mulligan, O Nevin, M Claffey (C), K Shannon, G Shannon, H Glennon, C Healy, L McGuire, C Lohan, M Mulvihill, D Rooney.

Subs: K Burke for Rooney, E Shannon for Glennon, S Tully for McGuire, C Kiely for Mulvihill.

Westmeath: S Byrne, A Kenny, E Kelly, C Dillon (C), A Sheerin, J Whelehan, N Mullarkey, S Murtagh, V Carr, A Shaw, J Hennessy, R Martin, C Faulkner, G Halligan, S Glennon.

Subs: S Robbins for Glennon, R Killian for Martin, J Maloney for Faulkner, A Maxwell for A Kenny.

Ref: Ciaran Groome