Limerick Ladies secure exciting draw with Wicklow in National League opener

LIMERICK opened their Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4 campaign with an exciting 1-03 to 0-6 stalemate against Wicklow in Coolyroe on Sunday afternoon. 

Despite early pressure from the visiting side, Iris Kennelly opened the scoring for Limerick after five minutes of play with a point. Wicklow were constantly probing the Limerick defence and were almost rewarded only to be denied a goal by the crossbar.

Less than a minute later, Limerick doubled their lead with another well taken score from Kennelly as Limerick seemed to be getting good return from direct delivery to the inside forwards.

Niamh Caffrey replied with Wicklow's first score of the game to make it 0-2 to 0-1 after 11 minutes. Another 16 minutes of play lapsed before Sinead McGettigan ensured the sides would go in level at the break, Limerick 0-2 Wicklow 0-2.

Limerick enjoyed a quick-fire start to the second half as Kennelly skilfully chip the on-rushing Wicklow keeper with the ball looping into the net after just one second half minute.

A pair of McGettigan frees cut the deficit to just a single score, before McGettigan again showed leadership to cut in from the right and score off her left to level the game.

Limerick had numerous waves of attack without making any addition to the scoreboard. Kennelly was again the go-to player for the Treaty ladies as she twisted and turned her marker before slotting a lofted pointed effort on 52 minutes.

Limerick did their best to hold out for victory, but McGettigan got an opportunity at the death to level and she obliged to give the Leinster side a valuable point to take back to Wicklow.