Limerick off to a winning start in the All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship

LIMERICK got off to a winning start in the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Ladies Football Championship last Sunday.

Earlier this season Limerick also opened the league campaign with a fixture against Kilkenny - coming out on the right side of a 4-13 to 0-2 scoreline.

In this championship game, Limerick ran out 7-21 to 1-5 winners in Callan, Co Kilkenny.

Limerick now face home championship games against Down and Sligo in Group A of the junior competition.

The Graham Shine managed Limerick were tough first opponents for the Cats and showed that an All-Ireland title is top of their agenda.

The Munster side were ruthless in attack and dominated the game as they played some excellent football, converting scores with impressive precision.

Within seconds of the first whistle Iris Kennelly had Limerick up and running, adding another score minutes later.

By half-time the visitors were 5-9 to 0-3 up and were dominating the game.

The second half continued with Limerick taking their scores well while, for Kilkenny, it was damage limitation. Kilkenny’s effort and attitude was a credit to the side, who refused to let their heads drop.T he home side’s only goal came in the second half from the boot of Éadaoin Cody. The Cats also finished the game on a positive note, grabbing the last score of the match.

SCORERS: LIMERICK: Iris Kennelly 3-5; Cathy Mee 2-2; Karen O’Leary 1-2; Amy Ryan 1-1; Roisin Ambrose 0-4; Caoimhe McGrath 0-3 (1free); Deborah Murphy 0-2; Katie Heelan and Laoise Browne 0-1 each. KILKENNY: Éadoin Cody 1-0, Kym Ryan 0-3, Kate Purcell 0-2 (1free).

KILKENNY: Niamh Sheehy (Thomastown); Eva Collins (Kilkenny City), Abigael Egan (Kilkenny City), Laura Phelan (John Lockes); Anna Doheny (Kilkenny City), Emily McCarthy (Kilkenny City), Ellen Lawlor (Muckalee, capt); Éadaoin Cody (Muckalee), Hazel Moore (Muckalee); Kate Purcell (Muckalee), Kym Ryan (John Lockes), Jennifer O'Keeffe (Kilkenny City); Tara McGrath (Kilkenny City), Niamh Gillen (Kilkenny City), Caitlinn Moore (John Lockes). Sub: Sofia Kerr (Railyard).

LIMERICK: Carol Bateman (Mungret St Pauls); Fiona Bradshaw (Oola), Yvonne Lee (Monagea), Meadhbh MacNamara (St Ailbes); Grace Lee (Monagea), Laura Walshe (Monagea), Lauren Ryan (Adare); Roisin Ambrose (Old Mill), Clare O'Meara Mungret St Pauls); Deborah Murphy (Monagea), Cathy Mee (Ballylanders), Caoimhe McGrath (Fr Caseys); Iris Kennelly (Old Mill), Laoise Browne (Ballylanders), Karen O'Leary (Monagea). Subs used: Katie Heelan (St Ailbes), Amy Ryan (Oola), Alva Quaid (Old Mill), Leah Coughlan (Oola).

REFEREE: Maggie Farrelly.