A deadly double act
Murray and Flood score 5-8 between them
PAULA Murray and Kate Flood were the scoring heroes, notching 5-8 between them, as Louth produced a superb display to record a fully deserved two-point victory over Offaly on Saturday last in Ballycumber.
This win puts the Wee County in the driving seat for a place in the semi-finals as Offaly now must beat Group favorites Longford next Sunday to have any hope of making the last four.
While the deadly duo of Murray and Flood will grab the headlines because of their scoring prowess, it was an impressive team performance which will have pleased their manager ex Dublin hero John O’Leary the most.
Missing a number of regulars, including Eimear Murray who was named as the best full back to have played county football in Division 4 of the National League this season, and with seven Championship debutants, three of whom were in defence, they played with passion, determination and no little skill.
Louth began in confident mood and took the lead after just thirty seconds when Kate Flood sent over a wonderful point from 30 metres.
They could have been further ahead as both Paula Murray and Catherine McGlew both hit wides before Offaly had their first meaningful attack when Sarah Kehoe evaded a couple of Louth defenders but was denied by a fine save from Una Pearson.
Susan Byrne then tested the home keeper with a good shot before Ellee McEvoy brought Offaly level after ten minutes from a free. From the resultant kick-out Sinead Woods won possession, her pass found Flood who slotted over.
Offaly then had a let off as a shot by a Aoife Byrne was fisted goalwards by Flood which was scrambled away by the the home keeper Lauren Dunne at the expense of a ‘45.
Kate Flood was then most unlucky to see her shot come back off the post before the St.Patrick’s star pointed from long range to put Louth into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after thirteen minutes.
Offaly were soon level with two well worked scores from Sarah Kehoe, but Louth were quickly back in front as a brilliant pass from Flood found Paula Murray who cracked a brilliant low shot to the Offaly net, but having established a strong foothold in the game they allowed Offaly a way back as Maebh Coleman took advantage of hesitancy in the Louth defence to fire past past Una Pearson.
The goals spree continued as from the resultant kick out from the Catherine McGlew won posession and her pass found Susan Byrne who in turn found club mate Murray who dispatched her shot beyond the reach of the home netminder Dunne.
Kate Flood added a further point as she reacted quickest when Murray’s free came back off the woodwork. Murray then completed her hat-trick with a vicious shot into the corner of the net giving the visitors a commanding 3-4 to 1-3 lead with the clock showing 25 minutes played, with a total of 4-1 being scored in the previous four minutes.
The Faithful County had another let-off just moments later as the talented Kate Flood worked her way past a couple of defenders, but just as she was about to shoot she lost her footing and the chance was lost.
That let-off together with an Aoife Corbett goal reduced Louth’s lead to 3-4 to 2-4 at the break.
Louth again started the better with another Flood point, which was followed by a superb point from Sinead Woods after some great play by Rebecca Carr and Abbi O’Connor.
Louth continued to dominate and when Kate Flood smashed in a further goal to extend the lead to 4-6 to 2-4 after 38 minutes it looked a lost cause for the green and gold.
But to their credit they refused to lie down and points from McEvoy and Kehoe gave them renowed hope.
They found themselves right back in contention in the forty seventh minute when midfielder Ellie McKevoy finished a well worked move as her shot beat Louth Keeper Una Pearson, and full forward Aoife Corbett also finding the net soon after to bring the sides level for only the second time - 4-6 to 4-6.
But Louth sensing the swing in momentum might be won possesion through Sinad Woods and her pinpoint pass found the deadly Murray who shot past Dunne for her fourth goal.
Murray and Flood added further points but Offaly replied with two of their own from sub Mairead Daly.
In the third minute of added time Aoife Norris added a further point to make it 5-9 to 4-9 to set up a tense final few moments. Despite strong pressure Offaly could only add a further point from Roisin Egan as Louth held out for a famous win. LOUTH: Una Pearson, (Dowdallshill) Michelle McArdle, (Stabannon) Dearbhla O’Connor, (St. Mochtas )Ruth Hanna, (St Brides) Abbi O’Connor, (Geraldines) Ciara Nolan, (St. Fechins) Ciara O’Connor, (Geraldines) Aoife Byrne, (St. Mochtas) Rebecca Carr, (Geraldines) Paula Murray 4-1, (St. Kevins) Kate Flood 1-7, (St.Patricks) Sinead Woods (Kilkerley) 0-1, Eimer Byrne, (St. Mochtas) Catherine McGlew, (St. Fechins) Susan Byrne (St. Kevins). Subs: Sarah Moore for C. McGlew, Roisin Kavanagh for E. Byrne.