Reds power past Limerick to reach final
Louth Limerick 1-15 0-9
LOUTH ladies came from a point down at the interval to completely overrun Limerick in the second-half of their Lidl Division 4 Football League semi-final on Sunday.
The Reds booked a final showdown with Wicklow in some style as a Kate Flood strike just after the break put some daylight between ths sides.
With the Treaty girls bidding for a quick return to Division 3 Louth started tentatively, allowing their opponenets to open a three-point lead through Clancy (2) and Mee.
Flood opened Louth’s account in after 12 minutes and Cooley attacker Lauren Boyle added another to settle Louth nerves.
It remained tight and tense as Clancy edged Limerick back into a two-point lead, but Flood drew Louth level with her second point of the game.
Murray and Flood levelled proceedings at four points apiece, but Limerick put two between the sides again through Davis (free) and Clancy.
Louth had the final say of the half as Flood reduced the deficit to the minimum, 0-6 to 0-5.
And the Reds assumed the lead for the first time after the re-start as Boyle landed her second point of the match, followed by an Aoife Russell score.
Davis drew Limerick level again, but that was as good as it got for girls from the midwest.
Murray edged Louth ahead again and Flood put three between the sides before netting the only goal of the game in the 45th minute.
Davis reduced the deficit for Limerick but two more points from the excellent Boyle had Louth firmly in control, 1-12 to 0-9.
Further scores from Michelle McMahon, Rebecca Carr and Susan Byrne ensured Louth cruised through to full-time with their final place in no doubt.
Table-toppers Wicklow await them in the final after swatting aside the challenge of Antrim by 7-13 to 0-8.
The Garden County came through the league phase with a 100 per cent record, defeatiing Louth in the process, but the Reds will be quietly confident they can turn the tables.
LOUTH: Grainne Boyle; Emma Singleton, Rachel Kane, Shannon McLoughlin; Ceire Nolan, Dearbhla Osborne, Bronagh McGrane; Sinead Woods, Rebecca Carr 0-1; Paula Murray 0-2, Susan Byrne 0-1, Aoife Russell 0-1; Lauren Boyle 0-4, Kate Flood 1-5, Michelle McArdle. Subs: Michelle McMahon (0-1), Catherine McGlew, Coirin Rice, Éimeár Murray, Éilís Hand.