In their first competitive outing since capturing the League title, Curraha/St. Vincents welcomed Longwood to Ardcath for the opening round of the Jacksie Kiernan Plate. The game proved to be a thrilling contest, full of attacking flair and dramatic momentum swings.

The hosts got off to a flying start, with Larissa Carey winning the throw-in and releasing Shauna White to open the scoring. Jessica Brennan claimed the resulting kick-out and found Mollie White, who finished emphatically to the top corner of the net. A well-worked 45 soon after saw Carey add a point following some clever interplay.

Despite falling five points behind early on, Longwood were showing positive signs and eventually found their rhythm, notching two points before a 15th-minute goal brought them level. Curraha/St. Vincents quickly responded, with Mollie White pointing after excellent build-up play involving Katelyn McMahon and Niamh Byrne. Byrne then rattled the net herself, capitalising on a brilliant interception and surging run from Hannah Keogh.

Longwood added a point to reduce the deficit, but it was matched by a superb effort from Sarah McLoughlin. Mollie White added a fine long-range score before Longwood had the final say of the half, cutting the margin to four.

The second half began brightly for the hosts, with Byrne scoring a superb left-footed point after a driving run from half-time substitute Lucy Andrews. Longwood, however, began to gain a foothold and created several chances, one of which was brilliantly saved by Carly Parsons. They eventually opened their second-half account six minutes in, but Curraha/St. Vincents responded swiftly, with Ellen Gough firing over before Carey pointed from a free she won herself.

A long-range free from Byrne then fortuitously found the net with help from the post, extending the hosts’ advantage. However, Longwood weren't done. A purple patch saw them score 3-1 between the 15th and 23rd minute, with another Mollie White goal briefly restoring Curraha/St. Vincents' hopes.

Longwood hit back with two more goals, taking a five-point lead into the closing stages. But in a dramatic twist, Byrne and Mollie White both found the net in injury time to nudge the hosts in front. It looked as though Curraha/St. Vincents had snatched victory, but with the last kick of the game, deep into added time, Longwood launched one final attack and found the net yet again to seal a dramatic win.

While there was disappointment for the home side, the performance offered plenty of positives. It was an entertaining and high-quality encounter, and a valuable opportunity to give game time to a number of players ahead of the upcoming championship.

Full-Time: Curraha/St.Vincents 6-9  Longwood 7-8

Curraha/St.Vincents: Carly Parsons, Ava Cleary, Hannah Keogh, Alannah Hartford, Ava Cleary, Katelyn McMahon, Jessica Brennan, Larissa Carey(0-2), Shauna White (0-1) Sarah McLoughlin (0-1), Mollie White (3-2), Ellen Gough (0-1), Emma-Jane Cleary, Niamh Byrne (3-2), Nia Hetherton

Subs Used: Lucy Andrews, Grace O'Dowd, Jane McDermott, Ruby Andrews, Laura McNally