Louth in control as they prove too strong for struggling Limerick
It was a top versus bottom clash with Louth needing a win to stay ahead and Limerick seeking their first victory in three games to escape the bottom spot.The win keeps Louth top of the table and sets up a crunch meeting with Antrim who they beat in last year’s All-Ireland Junior Football Championship final, with the winners being hot favourites to take one of the two promotion places.Showing four changes from the starting team that beat Fermanagh, Louth dominated the early exchanges, but they struggled to convert their chances into scores against a well-organised Limerick defensive structure.After seven minutes they finally broke the deadlock when Ciara Woods brilliantly won possession, beat a defender and unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the Limerick net.The Munster side responded with a score from Caoimhe McGrath, but the home team were enjoying the lions share of possession with Sophie Everitt (2) extending Louth’s lead before McGrath replied with a point of her own.Limerick did create a goal chance late in the half but Rebecca Lambe Fegan reacted smartly to keep out Caoimhe’s McGrath goal bound shot.At the break Louth led 1-3 to 0-2 after a tight, physical contest with their ability to get crucial scores keeping them ahead.Louth resumed with increased urgency and they were quickly rewarded with both Everitt and Shannon McLaughlin firing over.Limerick did reply courtesy of another Caoimhe McGrath point.The 2025 All Ireland JFC winners responded with a second goal. Again Woods played a prominent role as her pin-point pass found Nolan in support and the St Fechin’s star unleashed an unstoppable shot past Limerick keeper Carol Bateman giving the Reds a 2-6 to 0-4 lead after 50 minutes.To their credit Limerick and added a couple of scores before both management teams gave their substitutes some valuable minutes on the field.Louth: Rebecca Lambe Fegan, Moyà Corrigan, Eilish Hand, Holly Lambe Sally, Amy Murray, Shannon McLaughlin 0-1, Naoise McConnon, Aoife Halligan, Aine Breen, Lucy White, Céire Nolan 1-1, Emma Thompson, Eimear Byrne 0-1, Sophie Everitt 0-4, Ciara Woods 1-0. Subs: Zara Sweeney, Mia Duffy, Louise Byrne, Laura Collins, Maggie Holland, Rachel Beirth, Meabh HickeyLimerick: Carol Bateman, Shona Hickey, Aine Ryan, Rebecca Fitzgibbon, Meadhbh MacNamara, Lucy O’Brien, Eadaoin Crowe, Orla Ryan, Emma Hickey, Caoimhe McNamara 0-1, Laura Ryan, Katie Heelan, Caoimhe McGrath 0-5, Tara Geoghegan, Laoise Brown. Subs: Clodagh Real, Anna ODea Oola, Martha Stanley, Moly Creedon, Leah Coughlan Oola, Alex Russell, Jillian Buckley, Aisling EnrightReferee: Ian Culbert (Wicklow)
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