Heartache for Louth as Treaty girls steal show
THIS wasn’t the way it was supposed to end. Louth ladies emotional roller coster of an All-Ireland campaign came to an severe halt in Croke Park and in a manner that they didn’t expect or deserve. Sport can be cruel at times.
On the other hand, Limerick were the best team on the day, no complaints. They came to play the game and none more so than their corner forward Mairéad Kavanagh along with Rebecca Delee pounced for two goals a piece while Louth couldn’t rise to the occasion.
Their legs simply couldn’t go where their hearts wanted them to.
Mícheál McKeown Louth’s late manager was on their minds and will continue to be, but sentiment wasn’t to be found in the nervous opening exchanges.
Lauren Boyle failed to capitalise on Louth’s bright start missing a brace of frees. The opportunity to settle was missed while the psychological boost to their game plan was also lost.
Setting up with thirteen players at times behind the ball, Louth duly soaked up a lot of pressure but for the systemic approach to work, the attack needed to be beyond efficient or at least even economical, but it wasn’t. Captain Kate Flood took over the free taking duties to give Louth the lead but the Limerick pressure was building and building.
St. Kevin’s Eimear Murray was exceptional at times, reading the play and mopping up any potential danger however Limerick were having free taking difficulties of their own and let Louth off the hook on the edge of the D on three separate occasions, before Catriona Davis finally found the target from the that range with a free.
The crushing blow that injected confidence into the munster ladies while sapping Louth’s came in the 18th minute. Davis slipped it to Kavanagh who’s goal bound shot on the back of a later run was blocked in vain by Eiméar Byrne who looked to have deflected it by her goalie Una Pearson, but the low shot was on target regardless.
Kavanagh then turned provider minutes later laying off to again from a strong run down the centre of the Louth defence to centre forward and camogie star Rebecca Delee who hammered the ball into the Louth net. The ball movement and lack of pressure despite the numbers combined to Louth’s meltdown.
Limerick Louth 5-6 0-8
A three goal blitz in a devastating five minute spell was completed when Kavanagh palmed a 45 from Davis to the net, the goal and vital touch looked to be a squareball but when things are going for you, they really go for you. Kavanagh’s finish was worth the rub of the green.
The half time hooter sounded much to Louth’s relief. Darren Bishop gladly settled his troops got the message across and they began to show the resolve this group is know for early in the second half.
Boyle and Flood linked up like they can as they both combined to score three unanswered scores the Cooley girl showed maturity beyond her years to dust off an unsettling start to compose herself and have a positive impact on the game. Driving runs and work rate shows her determination is undeniable.
With fleeting signs of a comeback at the embryonic stages, Limerick emphatically dismissed the notion when half forward Cliona Ní Cheallaigh finished to the net at the third attempt after Pearson denied her on the double, with some excellent point blank saves.
Delee then removed all doubt from the contest in the next minute of play with a sharp one-two with Kavanagh in oceans of space in front of the hill to find the net. John Ryan’s sides ability to not only get goals but the timing of them crushed Louth’s chances.
The final became disjointed with a host of replacements from both sides entering and disrupting the pattern of the play amidst this, Rebecca Carr picked up a yellow card deeming Louth to play a large chunk of the remainder with only fourteen players.
Kavanagh and Boyle added to their tallies traded scores while one of these substitutes Dymphna O’Brien scored with her first touch. The veteran forward just returned to the panel in recent months was a luxurious hand for Ryan to play as the diminutive forward was not necessarily needed and her presence acted only as a reminder to Louth’s previous All-Ireland defeat to Limerick in 2010 where she was instrumental.
Louth to their credit continued to play and Boyle kicked one of the points of the game and Aoife Russell one of the many shining lights of the season added a deserved point on the back of an industrious display.
All the while the clock counted down to the dreaded klaxon that would officially ring the end of their dream. A promise that they desperately wanted to deliver, but these Louth ladies will be safe in the knowledge that sometimes cups are the last things you want to receive when you’ve achieved something truly special already. An eternal bond.
LIMERICK: Martina Giltenane; Kristine Reidy, Sarah O’Sullivan, Ava Hartigan; Áine McGrath, Niamh Ryan, Megan O’Shea; Loretta Hanley, Cathy Mee; Cliona Ní Cheallaigh 1-0, Rebecca Delee 2-1, Róisín Ambrose; Olivia Giltenane, Catríona Davis 0-1 (1f), Mairéad Kavanagh 2-2 Subs: Katie Heelan for Davis (39), Caroline Hickey for C Ní Cheallaigh (46), Dymphna O’Brien (0-2) for R Ambrose (50), Michelle Walsh for O’Sullivan (55), Kate Geary for Á McGrath (57).
LOUTH: Una Pearson; Michelle McMahon, Eimear Murray, Shannen McLaughlin; Aoife Russell, Eimear Byrne, Ceire Nolan; Rebecca Carr, Sinéad Woods; Jennifer McGuinness, Kate Flood 0-3 (2f), Niamh Rice; Lauren Boyle 0-4 (3f), Bonnie Fleming, Áine Breen. Subs: Róisin Kavanagh for J McGuinness (45), Eilis Hand for E Murray (50), Michelle McArdle for E Byrne (58).
REFEREE: Niall McCormack (Laois)