The honour of becoming the first teams to line out in an All-Ireland Ladies club football final at Croke Park will fall to Longford Slashers and their opponents from Tipperary, Mullinahone.
Slashers will become the very first team from Longford to contest an All-Ireland Ladies club football decider. Mullinahone making an impressive step-up from the junior ranks to reach Saturday’s showpiece.
It was just last February when Mullinahone appeared in an All-Ireland junior decider. Unfortunately from their point of view, they came up short against Dublin opponents St Judes.
To recover from that final heartbreak and go all the way to an Intermediate Final just ten months later speaks volumes for the determination and character that exists within the panel.
Mullinahone will bring a massive hunger to the game but that will be matched by Longford Slashers. An excellent team and no strangers to adversity themselves.
In their Leinster final against Meath’s Skryne, Slashers conceded three early goals and looked to be in real trouble.
But Slashers, extremely well-organised and hard-working, set about their task with aplomb and worked their way back into contention.
They recovered to lead by 2-8 to 3-4 at half-time and were 3-10 to 3-6 winners at full-time, with Jessica Barry accounting for 2-5 of the winning total.
In the recent All-Ireland semi-final, Slashers welcomed Mayo opponents Charlestown to Michael Fay Park.
Deirdre Doherty was the big danger for Charlestown and in superb form once again, kicking all ten points for the Westerners.
But in a keenly-contested tie, Slashers had enough wherewithal to get the job done, earning a 1-11 to 0-10 victory and an historic spot at Croke Park.
Kate Shannon a real tower of strength, collected 1-2 for Slashers. Barry impressed once again with four points, including three frees.
Mullinahone, meanwhile, were digging out a semi-final victory after extra-time against Fermanagh opponents Derrygonnelly Harps.
This was a thrilling game that saw the Munster champions claim a crucial extra-time goal from Lorraine O’Shea. Lorraine is daughter of team manager, Mary, to eventually help clinch the win.
Mullinahone, hoping to emulate the feats of Brian Borus in 2009 by landing the Intermediate crown, are very much like their opponents. A finely-tuned outfit boasting a lovely blend of youth and experience.
Lorraine O’Shea and sister, Aoibhe, have been in excellent form of late. Kilkenny camogie star Denise Gaule remains as influential as ever within the squad.
It’s all to play for in this currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Intermediate club final and the winners will have the honour of being the first team to savour national ladies club football glory at Croke Park.
Longford Slashers are unchanged for this one but Mullinahone have two changes to the team that lined out from the start against Derrygonnelly. Rosa White and Ailish Langton listed to start ahead of Gaule and Michaela Kenneally.
Longford Slashers: E Casey, L Kenny, E Reilly, G Kenny, O Nevin, E O’Brien, C Farrell, A O’Brien, A Cosgrove (c), L Nolan, G Shannon, K Lee, Kate Shannon, J Barry, Kara Shannon.
Mullinahone: A Browning, E Horan, G Horan, A O’Brien, E Cody, M Walsh, J Brett (c), N Shelly, L Dowling, R White, L O’Shea, A O’Shea, C Gunn, A Langton, K Egan.
Currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Ladies Intermediate Club Football Championship Final
Longford Slashers (Longford) v Mullinahone (Tipperary)
Croke Park, Throw-in 3pm
