Louth in the mix for semi-final spot
3-13 1-11
A SCORING burst of 3-3 in a ten minute period either side of half time proved enough for Louth to notch another win in Division 4, reports Dermot Woods.
The victory maintained their hopes of a place in the League semi-finals on a pleasant Saturday evening in the Young Irelands grounds.
Derry came into this game having lost all of their five matches to date, but started much the better and raced into an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead after just five minutes.
Three minutes later Paula Murray had the home side’s first score from a free following a foul on Aimee McNally.
This score seemed to settle Louth and further points from Murray and Susan Byrne had the sides level at 0-3 each midway through the half.
Susan Byrne from a free put the Reds ahead for the first time with a pointed free, but Derry were soon back level courtesy of a superb point from Aoife Laverty.
Aimee McNally had two wides before Derry had two major slices of good fortune, first when Aoife Byrne got in behind the defence and hit a vicious shot which came back off the crossbar, and then a superb AnnMaree Murphy pass found Paula Murray in space, but as the Derry keeper avanced the St.Kevins attacker opted to lob the ball over the netminder and saw her effort drift inches wide of the post.
Louth did however did get the goal their good play merited on 26 minutes when Aimee McNally found space and shot low into the net.
Louth added further points from the deadly duo of Murray and McNally, giving the home side an interval lead of 1-6 to 0-5.
Louth were quickly into their stride on the resumption as an AnnMaree Murphy pass put Paula Murray in on goal and the Kells native rifled home in style, midfielder Rebecca Carr then added a further point before Paula Murray was denied a second goal by a foot block which earned Derry keeper Caitlin Doherty a yellow card.
Murray’s penalty went over the bar and the same player added another fine point after Aimee McNally had turned over posession to extend Louth’s lead to 2-9 to 0-5 after thirty five minutes
Emma Doherty gave Derry renewed hope with three converted frees, before good Derry play put Rachel Walls in on goal and the Ballymaguigan star beat Alannah Finn with a sublime finish to cut the deficit points, 2-10 to 1-8.
Emma Doherty tacked on another point before Rebecca Carr calmed Louth nerves with an excellent point after good work by Kathy Reilly.
Well taken scores by Danielle Kivelhan and Emma Doherty had the Northern side back in the hunt 2-11 to 1-11 by the 53rd minute.
The home side then sent on star forward Kate Flood and the St. Patrick’s player marked her return from a serious facial injury with a delicious point on the run.
The spirited Derry resistance was finally ended when AnnMaree Murphy’s wonderful pass found Eimear Byrne and the young Mochta’s player found Aimee McNally who delayed her run and came off her shoulder at just the right time to smash the ball to the visitors net
This win means that victory over Fermanagh which will be played at a Louth venue on Sunday will ensure a place for Louth in the semi-finals to just five