Kate Shannon popped up with 1-2 to help Longford Slashers through to their first ever currentaccount.ie All-Ireland intermediate club championship final after victory over Charlestown.
Shannon’s all-important goal in the 39th minute made the difference in a game where Slashers had plenty of goal opportunities.
Deirdre Doherty was magnificent once again for Charlestown, kicking all ten of her team’s scores. However, she was unable to stop Slashers from making history on home soil.
The hosts wasted no time in putting their foot down. Wing-back Orla Nevin blazing a shot narrowly over the bar after only 14 seconds.
Shannon doubled Slashers lead in the fifth minute before Charlestown got off the mark through a Doherty free.
Some dogged Slashers defending made life difficult for Charlestown, who struggled to make any headway up front.
The hosts added further scores through a Grace Shannon free, Jessica Barry (two). Captain Aisling Cosgrave shot them four points in front.
In total, the hosts missed three goal chances and should have been out of reach by half-time. Slashers could have hit the net twice in a minute when Kara Shannon drew a save from Julia Gawalkiewicz. A bad kick-out from Gawalkiewicz went straight to Kyana Lee nearly ended up in the net. Aisling Cosgrave’s chip bounced narrowly wide.
What should have been an 11-point lead was narrowed back to two by Charlestown’s full-forward Doherty. Who brought the curtain down on the first-half with a massive point off her left boot.
The second-half began brightly for Slashers, with Grace Shannon and Jessica Barry sharing three points.
Doherty had the scores back at three before Charlestown midfielder Katie Gavin saw yellow for a high challenge.
Slashers punished her dismissal when Kate Shannon crashed in a goal a minute later to put the Longford champions six-points-up.
Despite losing Mayo panellist Ella Brennan to a yellow in the 50th minute, Charlestown were still able to edge their way back within four points.
However, it simply wasn’t enough to stop a Longford Slashers side who now look forward to an All-Ireland final.
Longford Slashers: E Casey, L Kenny, E Reilly, G Kenny, O Nevin, E O’Brien, C Farrell, A O’Brien, A Cosgrove, L Nolan, G Shannon, K Lee, Kate Shannon, J Barry, Kara Shannon.
Subs: J Glennon for Lee (54), G O’Donnell for Farrell (62).
Scorers: Kate Shannon 1-2 (1f), J Barry 0-4 (3f), G Shannon 0-2, Kara Shannon, O Nevin, A Cosgrave 0-1 each.
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, J O’Donnell.
Subs: L O’Toole for Gavin (57), E Walsh for Murphy (57), M Casey of E O’Donnell (60).
Scorers: D Doherty 0-10 (6f).
Referee: Eddie Cuthbert (Down).
