Limerick fall to Antrim in Ladies Football league semi-final

LIMERICK'S ladies footballers hopes of reaching successive LIDL Ladies Football National League Division 4 finals fell by the wayside after a 3-16 to 1-11 loss to Antrim.

The semi-final, played at Whitehall Colmcille GAA Club in Dublin, was dominated in the first half by Antrim and Limerick were unable to claw back a 13-point half time deficit.Orlaith Prenter was in sensational form for Antrim with a scoring haul of 1-10.

Limerick started well with two Laoise Browne frees but that was as good as it got for Graham Shine's side as Antrim then took control with the wind at their backs.

Aine Tubride and Prenter levelled the game and then the Antrim full forward found the net to put her side 1-2 to 0-2 in front with 10 minutes played.

Antrim then kicked the next four points before Karen O'Leary stopped the rot for Limerick with a well-taken point from play. However, with Prenter pulling the strings, Antrim were eight points clear heading to half time.

A second goal for Antrim courtesy of Theresa Mellon hurt Limerick close to the break and that put them in an excellent position, leading by 2-12 to 0-5.

Mellon opened the second half scoring but Limerick hit the next four points with Deborah Murphy (2), Cathy Mee and Browne all hitting the target.

Mee's goal on 43 minutes gave Limerick hope of a comeback and brought the deficit back to seven points but they were unable to get another three pointer that would have put major pressure on Antrim.

A Grainne McLaughlin goal for Antrim late on put a gloss on the score for the northern side that were full value for the 11-point victory.

Scorers - Limerick: Laoise Browne 0-5 (4 frees), Cathy Mee 1-1, Deborah Murphy 0-3 (2 frees), Karen O'Leary and Roisin Ambrose 0-1 each.

Scorers - Antrim: Orlaith Prenter 1-10 (4 frees), Theresa Mellon 1-2, Grainne McLaughlin 1-0, Aine Tubridy 0-2, Lara Duhansi and Maria O'Neill 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Sophie Hennessy; Fiona Bradshaw, Yvonne Lee, Meadbh McNamara; Deborah Murphy, Leah Coughlan, Grace Lee; Roisin Ambrose, Clare O'Meara; Katie Heelan, Cathy Mee, Lauren Ryan; Laoise Browne, Iris Kenneally, Karen O'Leary.

Subs: Kate Kennedy for Heelan (h-t), Roisin Breedy for Ryan (h-t), Alva Quaid for Bradshaw (37 mins), Ellie Woulfe for O'Meara (44 mins), Amy Ryan for Browne (53 mins).

ANTRIM: Anna McCann; Duane Coleman, Emma Ferran, Niamh McIntosh; Orla Corr, Ciara Brown, Sarah O'Neill; Ana Mulholland, Aine Tubridy; Theresa Mellon, Cathy Carey, Lara Dahunsi; Bronagh Devlin, Orlaith Prenter, Maria O'Neill.

Subs: Grainne McLaughlin for Devlin (45 mins), Maeve Mulholland for S O'Neill (45 mins), Caitlin Taggert for Mellon (57 mins), Aine Devlin for M O'Neill (57 mins).