Ladies Leinster League Division Three Final

Longford 15 Barnhall 8

Longford Ladies came from eight points down to win their second Leinster title in four years against a battling Barnhall side in Old Belvedere RFC.

Barnhall had the dream start to the match, when their centre made a great break through the Longford cover and offloaded for the winger to go over in the corner. They added a penalty through their scrum half to lead 8-0 with 26 minutes on the clock.

Longford, though, remained positive and were unlucky not to get over for a try before they did just before half-time. Helen Conefrey lofted the ball into the 22 and managed to gather her kick ahead, but Barnhall turned the ball over.

Longford, however, managed to turn the ball over again, and set up a forward drive, with Maire Hanley on hand to burst over the line. Sharon McKeown was narrowly wide with the conversion attempt.

Trailing 8-5 at the break, Longford quickly put Barnhall under pressure in the second half. A sustained period of pressure, which saw Longford camped on the Barnhall line, which eventually yielded a try through Samantha Lulham. Again, McKeown was just wide with the two-pointer.

Longford again went in search of another try, and managed to position themselves on the Barnhall line once more. This time, Karen Lennon managed to break though the cover to score try number three.

Barnhall finished the game strongly, but superb Longford tackling saw them deservedly lift the Division Three title.

Longford (1-15):
Samantha Lulham, Karen Lennon, Maire Hanley; Sinead Buchan, Mairead Coy; Nuala McGoey, Elaine McDermott, Yvonne Dowd; Michelle Bird, Sharon McKeown; Paula Magan, Imelda McGuire, Ciara Kearney, Lisa Nulty; Helen Conefey. Subs: Orla Brady, Kelly Stechschulte, Ann Duke, Bernice Martin, Margaret Murphy.

Footnote: The club would like to wish the Barnhall full back a speedy recovery from the injury she picked up in the game.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS  FROM THE GAME