Bad start catches up on young Reds

5-7 2-9

LOUTH Ladies travelled to Carlow for their first game of the Lidl National League campaign last Sunday and were unfortunate to return empty handed.

On a wet afternoon Louth got off to the worst possible start conceding three goals in the first five minutes to a fast starting Carlow team.

Sinead Woods finally got Louth’s first point on the scoreboard with an accurate effort from the right.

Louth and Carlow traded points with Paula Murray and Woods again adding to the score. Eimear Byrne reduced the deficit, finding the net from close in after good build up play.

The teams traded further points with Susan Byrne adding her name to the scoresheet for Louth before Carlow finished the half with a goal to leave the half time score 4-04 to 1-04 in Carlow’s favour.

Louth fought hard in the second half with Paula Murray leading by example with five points and executing her free taking opportunities.

Aoife Byrne added a goal with five minutes to go as Louth took the game to Carlow and reduced their lead to four points only to fall short as Carlow added a fifth goal with the final kick of the game.

Louth travel next week to Longford, All Ireland Junior Champions in 2016, in what is sure to be a tough encounter in the knowledge that they were the only team to defeat them in 2016.

Louth have introduced new players in 2017 and with a new management team in place it will take time for things to settle down.