Limerick Ladies lose unbeaten league record in Leitrim defeat

LIMERICK'S hopes of reaching the Lidl LGFA Division 4 semi-finals took a blow on Sunday in Ballinamore as a resurgent Leitrim all but guaranteed their place in the knockout stages after a hard fought 2-11 to 1-7 win over the Treaty women.

This was Limerick's first defeat of the campaign after recording two wins and two draws in their opening four round robin fixtures.

Limerick and Leitrim had drawn last year when the Connacht team were the team on the road, but goals from Laura O’Dowd and Leah Fox were just about enough to hold off a battling Treaty side who reduced a five point halftime deficit to a point near the closing stages of the second half.

However, with Leitrim holding January Player of the Month Leah Fox and former National League top scorer Michelle Guckian in reserve, the Connacht women had enough power to see themselves across the finish line.

Limerick now lie in fifth place in the Division 4 table and have two tough tests to finish off their campaign - table toppers Fermanagh are the visitors to Feohanagh Castlemahon before Carlow visit the following weekend. Carlow are also chasing a spot in the top four, meaning this could decide who makes the semi-final.

Barring an incredible series of results, Leitrim are almost guaranteed a place in the semi-finals and they’ll be seeking to go one better than last year when Antrim heavily defeated in the Division 4 Final.

Limerick were first off the mark in Ballinamore with Iris Kennelly pointing a free from outside the ‘D’, but Leitrim responded fiercely by hitting an unanswered 1-2 to take control of the contest, a control they never truly relinquished. 

Laura O’Dowd, sister of Dublin All-Ireland winner Eilish, hit the home team’s first point quickly followed by a point from Ailbhe Clancy.

O’Dowd then pounced for Leitrim’s first goal and despite a fisted point from Ellie Woulfe after 16 minutes, Leitrim were soon pulling further away with points from Clancy (free) and Vivienne Egan.

Limerick keeper Carol Bateman made a good save from Vivienne Egan to deny Leitrim a goal while the home side missed a few other good chances with Clancy adding a point from a free before the break. 

Limerick would have just one more score in the first half, Karen O’Leary firing over but they would rue a couple of missed chances, including a free coming back off the crossbar and a shot into the keeper’s hand as the home side held a commanding 1-5 to 0-3 halftime lead.

Limerick came out a much more focused side in the second half and reeled off three unanswered points to suddenly leave two points between the teams. Kennelly, O’Leary and Cathy Mee were all on target inside the first six minutes, prompting Leitrim to call for the calvary in the form of Michelle Guckian and Leah Fox.

Another Limerick point cut the gap to a point but Leitrim were beginning to find their form again with Bateman denying Clancy a goal after a good pass in from Fox. Fox, named last week as the LGFA Player of the month for January, hit back with a point.

That seemed to steady Leitrim and Laura O’Dowd and Ailbhe Clancy both hit the target to leave four points between the teams. Guckian, who had to depart the Fermanagh game with injury, popped over a free but Limerick refused to go quietly, scoring a goal that left just two points between the teams in the final ten minutes.

However, Leitrim’s strength was illustrated once more when Leah Fox hit 1-1 and her Glencar Manorhamilton clubmate Ailbhe Clancy added another point for good measure in added time.

LEITRIM: Michelle Monaghan, Elise Bruen, Charlene Tyrell, Clare Owens, Eimear Quigley, Kasey Bruen, Orla Flynn, Niamh Tighe, Megan McGovern, Vivienne Egan, Laura O’Dowd, Aine Redican, Ailbhe Clancy, Brigid O’Reilly, Bronagh O’Rourke. Subs: Sarah Reynolds & Eimear McHugh for Flynn & Quigley; Michelle Guckian for O’Reilly; Leah Fox for O’Rourke; Siomha Quinn for Redican; Lauryn McKeon for Egan

LIMERICK: Carol Bateman, Meadhbh McNamara, Joanne McGuire, Fiona Bradshaw, Deborah Murphy, Yvonne Lee, Grace Lee, Roisin Ambrose, Lauren Ryan, Ellie Woulfe, Cathy Mee, Karen O’Leary, Iris Kennelly, Caoimhe McGrath, Leah Coughlan. Subs: Kate Kennedy for Woulfe; Grace Mullane for Kennelly.

REFEREE: Anthony Campbell (Donegal)