Louth learn plenty from Leinster semi-final defeat
WICKLOW 1-18 LOUTH 2-3
LANNLEIRE’S PAIRC Ui Mhuiri was the venue for Saturday evening’s clash between Louth’s senior Camogie team and Wicklow in the semi-final of the Leinster junior championship.
Both teams benefited from the wonderful condition of the pitch and credit goes to the Lannleire grounds team for a well prepared and stewarded event. Dark clouds had been threatening all evening, but the forecast rain and winds stayed away for the first half though made their presence felt bitterly in the second half.
Throw in was at 7:30, and Louth with the wind behind them, had their first chance to score after just 24 seconds. Wicklow were first on the board with a point after 3 minutes with Louth’s Aoife Gregory responding a minute later with a superb point. Three minutes later saw the green flag raised for Louth with a goal by Denise Moynagh from a seemingly impossible angle. Wicklow’s Laura Manley kept them in touch with two unanswered points but Louth’s Caoimhe Matthews, who had been threatening with a few lightning runs, scored an incredible goal in the 14th minute to take Louth 3 points clear. Two more points by Siobhan Dawdry (from play) and Aoife Gregory (Free) with only one in response saw Louth storm 4 points clear after just 17 minutes. The Wicklow side line saw some frantic reorganisation as they tried to respond to Louth’s speed and passion resulting in four unanswered points (two each from Laura Manley and Sarah Byrne). At the end of the first half, both sides were all square with Louth 2-3 Wicklow 0-9.
Both teams took the opportunity to bring on fresh players for the second half with Louth’s Courtney Dowling coming on for Rachael Hamilton and Clodagh Fennell replacing Rita Mullen. Second half saw a resurgence from Wicklow whose backroom team had done their homework well and marked all of Louth’s key players from the throw in. The wind that had been Louth’s friend in the first half, turned in to a stiff breeze in the second half and the promised rain arrived making the surface and the sliotar very slippery for both sides. Wicklow quickly capitalised on the favourable conditions scoring the first point after 2 minutes flowed by another a minute later. Louth responded with two wides, but Wicklow had the firepower of their number 8, Laura Manley, whose long distance free taking abilities was to be part of Louth’s downfall in the second half. Louth lost Lorraine Young to injury seven minutes in to the second half and she was replaced by Grainne Murray.
The strong headwind hampered Louth’s chances of any long poc outs, meaning that our backs and midfielders were put under tremendous pressure by Wicklow. Louth’s undoing came about in a four minute period in the middle of the second half which saw Wicklow score 1-3 with Louth responding with two wides. In spite of worsening conditions and a mounting deficit Louth can be proud of an incredible performance from joint Captains Eleanor Smyth (St Anne’s) and Jane McKeon (Mattock Rangers) who battled for every ball. Louth had a number of chances in the second half which saw goal line clearances by Wicklow, and ball hitting the bar but in the end they were unable to add to their first half tally. The match ended up Louth 2-3 Wicklow 1-18.
Wicklow ended up the deserved victors but Louth Camogie can walk away proud from this fixture, having started this match with the skill, speed and passion of teams who play in senior divisions. They were well prepared and knocked the wind out of Wicklow’s sails from the throw in and played a very competitive first half. This is a young team and in addition to this, the incredible work that is being done at juvenile level, especially U14 & U16, which will start feeding in to the senior team in a few years, the future is bright for Louth Camogie.
LOUTH: Leanne Sharkey (Cliodhna Duffy 50), Rachael Hamilton (Courtney Dowling), Sarah Mulroy, Áine McKeon; Niamh Murray, Niamh McKeon, Lorraine Young (Grainne Murray 37); Eleanor Smyth, Aoife Gregory (0-2); Ashling Matthews, Siobhán Dawdry (0-1), Jane McKeon; Caoimhe Matthews (1-0), Denise Moynagh (1-0), Rita Mullen(Clodagh Fennell).