DERMOT WOODS
LOUTH got their Leinster U-18 Championship off to the best possible start with this fine victory over Offaly before a big attendance in Cooley on Sunday. They now meet the winner’s of the other quarter final between Wexford and Meath which takes place on Wednesday night.
The home side laid the foundations for their win with a dominant first half display which saw them lead by 3-10 to 0-5 at the interval.
In a very good team performance the twin attacking threat of Cooley team mates Lauren Boyle and Niamh Rice was pivotal to the win as they contributed an impressive 3-10 between them.
The home side enjoyed the better start as Ciera Woods opened the scoring with just just fifty seconds showing on the clock with a well taken point and just two minutes later a brilliant 40 yard pass by Lauren Boyle put Niamh Rice in the clear and the corner forward took a few steps before placing a low shot past Niamh Flanagan and into the Offaly net.
The midlander’s replied with a point of their own from Niamh Lydon but the Cooley duo were again to the fore as an excellent Boyle pass found her club colleague Niamh Rice who lashed it first time to the net.
Louth continued to apply the pressure and again Lauren Boyle did brilliantly to win possession and fire a superb shot to the net giving the reds a 3-2 to 0-1 lead after just 14 minutes
Both sides then added points from Rice (2) and Rebecca McDonnell before home defender Claire Donnelly was sent to the sin-bin for a foul on Angela Brady in the 21st minute.
Despite being down to 14 players it was Louth who continued to dominate and added to their total with Ciara Woods (2) and Boyle (2) on target to a solitary reply from Rebecca McDonnell giving the side managed by Gerry Callan, Sonia Gernon and Edel Woods a commanding fourteen point lead at the break.
Louth as in the first half began the better with both Boyle and Rice hitting wides before the visitors were given a glimmer of hope when full forward McDonnell blasted a 13 metre free into the Louth net on thirty five minutes. They were given further hope just a minute later when Ciara Woods became the second Louth player to be shown a yellow card after a coming together with Niamh Lydon, a decision which appeared harsh on the Clans player.
The Faithful County rallied and had Louth on the back foot for a spell but were unable to