Longford made up for the disappointment of losing last year's final to Clare when they beat Tyrone at Croke Park yesterday to win the women's Junior All-Ireland football final. Captain Dara Gill was stretchered off late in the game after sustaining a head injury, but recovered in time to collect the John Timmins Cup for the first time in her county's history.

Goals from Mary Burke, in the first half, and Una Flynn, in the second, gave the Leinster junior champions the cushion they needed against a spirited Tyrone team that staged a late comeback, inspired by their outstanding left half forward Michaela Doherty.

Midfielder Fiona Blessington, later named player of the match, steadied Longford nerves by dropping deep late in the game and superbly fielding many of the high and hopeful balls sent in by the increasingly desperate Tyrone. Longford secured their victory with the point of the game in the final minute, when a move that started at the back with Michelle Hannifey, finished with substitute Paula Kenny scoring her county's insurance point.