Limerick Ladies secure dramatic draw with Laois in National Football League

LIMERICK made the trip to Ballylinan on Sunday afternoon to take on Laois in round five of the league, looking to cause an upset and keep their own campaign on track.

A strong first-half performance saw them take control early on, but a battling Laois comeback meant the spoils were shared, 2-12 each, in a tense finale.

A dream start saw Limerick race into a five-point half-time lead, but Laois hit back and even went ahead in the closing stages despite being reduced to 14 players.

With time running out, Deborah Murphy held her nerve to slot her eighth free and secure a valuable draw for the Treaty side.

Limerick couldn’t have asked for a better opening, hitting 1-1 inside four minutes. Ellie Woulfe’s effort dropped short, and Caoimhe Macnamara was quickest to react, palming the ball to the net.

Murphy and Ashling Fitzpatrick then traded scores before Rebecca Delee added another for Limerick.

Laois responded well, with Mo Nerney (free) and Emma Lawlor (two from play) keeping them in touch. Karen O’Leary kept Limerick ticking over with a fine point, while Emily Lacey got on the board for the hosts.

Murphy punished Laois’ ill-discipline with two frees, followed by a Katie Donoghue effort, though Nerney kept Laois in touch.

Limerick finished the half strongly, with Murphy adding two more frees before Delee struck for a crucial goal, rifling home after a defensive scramble to put Limerick firmly in control at the break.

The second half opened with Murphy and Nerney exchanging frees before the Laois talisman produced a moment of magic, firing into the top corner to reignite the contest.

Murphy kept Limerick’s tally ticking with another free, and Laois were dealt a setback when Nerney was sin-binned.

Despite being down to 14, Laois stormed into the lead for the first time, as Lawlor hit 1-2 in quick succession, including a penalty after Fiona Dooley’s shot was blocked by a Limerick defender’s foot.

Limerick showed resilience, with Murphy landing another free before Roisin Ambrose got in on the act, nudging them back in front. But Lawlor responded with a quick free and another point to edge Laois ahead again.

The closing stages were frantic, with Limerick pushing hard for an equaliser. Laois defended bravely, with Lauren Kearney producing a vital turnover, but Limerick forced one final opportunity.

A foul outside the 'D' gave Murphy the chance to level, and she made no mistake, ensuring both sides took a share of the points.

With two rounds left, Limerick will take plenty of positives as they aim to finish the league strongly.

SCORERS: Laois: Emma Lawlor 1-6 (1-0 peno, 0-3fs), Mo Nerney 1-3 (1-1fs), Emily Lacey, Katie Donoghue (free) and Ashling Fitzpatrick 0-1 each. Limerick: Deborah Murphy 0-9 (0-8fs), Rebecca Delee 1-1, Caoimhe McNamara 1-0, Karen O’Leary and Roisin Ambrose 0-1 each. 

LAOIS: Ava Shanahan; Sinead Farrelly, Maeve Phelan, Grainne Lalor; Faye McEvoy, Anna Moore, Shifrq Havill; Ashling Fitzpatrick, Andrea Moran; Katie Donoghue, Emily Lacey, Grainne Moran; Eva Galvin, Mo Nerney, Emma Lawlor. Subs: Fiona Dooley for Fitzpatrick and Ciara Crowley for McEvoy (both HT), Ciara Burke for Donoghue (38m), Lauren Kearney for G. Moran (40m), and Ciara Malone for Lacey (63m). 

LIMERICK: Sophie Hennessy; Sarah Dillon, Yvonne Lee, Roisin Browne; Ellie Woulfe, Cathy Mee, Meadhbh NcNamara; Grace Mullane, Orla Ryan; Roisin Ambrose, Deborah Murphy, Karen O’Leary; Lucy O’Brien, Rebecca Delee, Caoimhe
McNamara. Subs: Joanne McGuire for Browne (HT), Iris Kennelly for Mullane (40m), Andrea O’Sullivan for O’Brien (47m), Grace Lee for Ryan (54m), and Emma Kennedy for Woulfe (57m). 

REFEREE: Pat Smith (Waterford).