Kavanagh’s all-round brilliance inspires Limerick’s surge to silverware
TWO goals each from Mairéad Kavanagh and Rebecca Delee secured a second TG4 All-Ireland junior title for Limerick.
The Munster team scored three goals in five first-half minutes to pull clear, and although Kate Flood drove a Louth comeback after the break, Cliona Ní Cheallaigh and Delee ended their hopes with a couple of quick goals, with the impressive Kavanagh laying on three assists.
Both sides started nervily, with Louth off target from two close-in frees before Flood broke the deadlock. Limerick registered four wides and dropped another two efforts into Una Pearson’s hands before Catríona Davis levelled matters in the 15th minute.
Limerick were well on top, playing most of the first period inside Louth’s half. And in a blistering spell they put the game beyond their opponents.
The first goal arrived from Kavanagh following an assist from Davis, and her shot found the net via a deflection off Eimear Byrne. Kavanagh added a great point from the right moments later to stretch the lead, but better was to come.
A rapid exchange of passes between Davis and Kavanagh freed Delee and she rattled the roof of the net, and a minute later Kanavagh soared highest to flick Davis’ free to the net – Louth claimed it was a square ball – for a 3-2 to 0-1 interval lead.
After the restart, Louth pushed captain Flood into the full-forward line, and she kicked two of three consecutive points for her side.
But Limerick continued to patiently work the ball through the hand and with Kavanagh unstoppable up front – she laid on two goals in a minute for 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 0-1f. Louth: L Boyle
0-4 (3fs), K Flood 0-3 (2fs), A Russell 0-1.
LIMERICK – M Giltenane; A Hartigan, S O’Sullivan, K Reidy; A McGrath, N Ryan, C Mee; M O’Shea, L Hanley; R Ambrose, R Delee, C Ní Cheallaigh; O Giltenane, C Davis, M Kavanagh.
Subs: K Heelan for Davis (39), C Hickey for Ní Cheallaigh (46), D O’Brien for Ambrose (50), M Walsh for O’Sullivan (55), K Geary for McGrath (57).
LOUTH – U Pearson; M McMahon, E Murray, S McLoughlin; A Russell, E Byrne, C Nolan; R Carr, S Woods; J McGuinness, K Flood, N Rice; L Boyle, B Fleming, A Breen. Subs: R Kavanagh for McGuinness (45), E Hand for Murray (50), M McArdle for Byrne (58).
REF – N McCormack (Laois)