THE FOOTBALLERS of Loreto (Wexford) scored a convincing victory over their Longford opponents in this Leinster Senior 'A' Shield final played at Mountmellick on Thursday last. Played in windy but dry conditions, Loreto had a great start as a long-range free from Julie Coakley found its way through a crowded square to the Moyne net in the first minute.

Despite this dream start, it was Moyne who settled better and soon found themselves in front after a point and an expertly-taken goal from their full-forward, Michelle Farrell.

Playing with the aid of a strong wind, Loreto needed to build up a first-half lead and the scores soon began to come. Points from Fiona Bennett, Niamh Crosbie, Leanne Moore and centre-back Niamh O'gorman put Loreto into a comfortable position.

Two frees from Bennett also added to the tally but it was a goal from the St. Anne's sharpshooter in the 30th minute that proved to be the score of the half. Having rounded two Moyne defenders, she shot from 25 yards to the top corner of the net.

This gave Loreto a 2-6 to 1-2 half-time lead and they received another great boost just after halftime when Aisling Berry worked her way into a great position to receive a pass from Ellie Carley before blasting to the net. This gave Loreto a cushion that they would never relinquish as, despite some good play from Moyne, Loreto managed to keep their forwards at bay for most of the half.

This was due to the excellent defensive work of the Loreto backs with player of the match Shauna Murphy controlling the full-back line with great support from Eleanor Neville and Ciara Corrigan. Goalkeeper Lill Roche gave a great performance between the posts while the halfback line of Niamh O'gorman, Laura Ross and Julie Coakley provided the launch-pad for many Loreto attacks.

Róisín Kavanagh and Niamh Crosbie dominated the midfiled while wing-forwards Clodagh Cousins and Hannah Duggan contributed greatly to the Loreto win in what was an overall great performance from the side.

Loreto captain, Ellie Carley, received the shield on behalf of her team-mates and thanked them for their great efforts all year and also thanked team coaches Paudge Brennan and Louise Murphy. This result bodes very well for the future of football in the school, especially as 19 of the panel are eligible for selection again next year.

Loreto: Lill Roche (Shelmalier); Eleanor Neville (Shelmalier), Shauna Murphy (Shelmalier), Ciara Corrigan (Shelmalier); Julie Coakley (St. Fintan's, 1-0), Niamh O'gorman (Taghmon-camross, 0-1), Laura Ross (St. Fintan's); Róisín Kavanagh (St. Anne's), Niamh Crosbie (St. Anne's, 0-1); Clodagh Cousins (Kilmore), Ellie Carley (Shelmalier, capt.), Hannah Duggan (Shelmalier); Aisling Berry (Blackwater, 1-0), Leanne Moore (St. Anne's, 0-1); Fiona Bennett (St. Anne's, 1-4). Subs: Aine Wright (Blackwater) for Cousins, Elsa Mcdermott (St. Martin's) for Coakley, Martha Rochford (St. Anne's) for Duggan, Chloe Whitty (Taghmon-camross) for Berry, Aisling Kavanagh (St. Anne's) for Corrigan, Lisa Firman (St. Martin's), Megan Smith (Shelmalier), Rebecca Stafford (St. Anne's).

Moyne: Amy Faughan; Emma Bleakley, Jessica Healy, Áine Martin; Ciara Keogh, Eleanor Columb, Aedín Mimnagh; Niamh Halton, Michelle Masterson; Sinéad Hughes, Gráinne Reilly, Catríona Farrelly; Donna Masterson, Michelle Farrell, Emer Heaney Subs: Laura Bleakley, Sabrina Ellis, Lorraine Farrelly, Cáilín Sheridan, Chloe Connell, Lorraine Heslin, Laura Healy, Leanna Keane.