LIMERICK & CLEAR
Limerick 5-6 Louth 0-8
TWO goals each from Mairéad Kavanagh and Rebecca Delee helped secure the All-ireland junior title for Limerick.
There was a very nervy start from both sides, with Louth off target from their first two close in frees before Kate Flood slotted the game’s first score. Meanwhile, Limerick registered four wides and dropped another two into Una Pearson’s hands before Catríona Davis levelled matters at a point apiece in the 15th minute.
But a blistering spell from Limerick then put the game beyond their Leinster opponents.
The first goal arrived from Kavanagh, her shot finding the net via a deflection off Eimear Byrne. A confident Kavanagh added a great point from the right moments later, and even better was to come.
After 22 minutes a rapid exchange of passes between Davis and Kavanagh freed Delee, who found the net. A minute later Kanavagh soared highest to flick Davis’s free to the net for a 3-2 to 0-1 lead that they carried into the interval.
Louth pushed captain Flood into the full-forward line for the second half, and she kicked two of three consecutive points for her side. But Limerick continued to work the ball and with Kavanagh unstoppable – she laid on two goals in a minute for Cliona Ní Cheallaigh and Delee – they ran out convincing winners. SCORERS – LIMERICK: M Kavanagh 2-2, R Delee 2-1, C Ní Cheallaigh 1-0, D O’brien 0-2, C Davis 0-1 (0-1f).
LOUTH: L Boyle 0-4 (0-3f), K Flood 0-3 (0-2f), A Russell 0-1