Limerick Ladies too good for Kilkenny in Lidl Ladies National Football League

LIMERICK maintained their unbeaten record in Division 4 of the Lidl Ladies National League with a convincing 1-9 to 0-1 victory over the visiting Kilkenny side in Coolyroe on Sunday afternoon. 

Limerick were on a high after last weekend’s victory over Derry in round 2 and were hot favourites to make it two wins in a row.

The Shannonsiders' opening score came from the boot of Caoimhe McNamara after just three minutes of play. Caoimhe McGrath then doubled Limerick’s lead through a free in the 5th minute as Kilkenny fortified their own half with 13 players retreating to try and halt their opponents' advance.

Limerick were forced into frustrating patience however, they were still able to make an impact on the scoreboard as Caoimhe McGrath’s placed ball execution yielded her side five points before the halftime whistle.

Kilkenny had their chances to open there account, but left it until a Hollie Brennan free in the closing minute of the opening half to open their account. That left the half time score,  Limerick 0-8 Kilkenny 0-1.

Limerick were able to call on experience at half time with Roisin Ambrose, Cathy Mee and Yvonne Lee seeing action in the second half.

Kilkenny had all of their players were housed in their own half for prolonged periods in the second half-hour. Substitute Karen O’Leary netted for the home side after the ball was spilled by the Kilkenny keeper Katie Fitzpatrick as a result of a dropping Deborah Murphy shot.

O’Leary was in the right place to finish along the floor. Even with only four minutes of the third quarter played, the goal added insurance to Limerick’s lead. It would take Limerick another twenty three minutes of football to score again.

With Kilkenny carrying minimal threat going forward, the Treaty girls were comfortable in the closing stages. Substitute Laoise Browne took over free taking duties from McGrath and slotted one in the 56th minute to round off a comfortable victory for the hosts on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-1

SCORERS: Limerick: Caoimhe McGrath 0-7 ( 0-6 frees), Karen O’Leary 1-0, Caoimhe McNamara, Laoise Browne 0-1 each.
Kilkenny: Hollie Brennan 0-1 ( free).