Limerick Ladies advance to league semi-finals after victory over Carlow

LIMERICK are through to the knock-out stages of the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4 after battling to a 1-11 to 1-9 home victory over Carlow in TUS Moylish this Sunday afternoon.

Limerick were first into attack from the throw-in with Deborah Murphy’s shot bouncing off the crossbar. However, she was fouled in the midst of her advance and Caoimhe McGrath pointed the subsequent free.

An innovative Ellie Woulfe chipped pass found Karen O’Leary who doubled Limericks lead before Cliodhna Ní Sé got the opening score for the visitors after 11 minutes of play.

It wasn’t long until Murphy was carving her way down the middle again as she was on the receiving end of a pass from O’Leary which she finished to the net to extend the Treaty girls’ lead to four.

Katie Heelin and McGrath were both on target for the home side who were punished when a reckless kick-out gifted a point to Edel Hayden.

Iris Kennelly managed to point in the 24th minute despite little supply. A lethal Carlow counter-attack yielded a vital goal for the visitors which was netted by Sinead Hayden. A Ni Sé free left just a single point between the sides at the interval, Limerick 1-5 Carlow 1-4.

Carlow corner forward Rachel Sawyer was responsible for her sides quick start to the second half with two fine efforts. Murphy responded with a trademark defence splitting run. Murphy then added two placed balls to extend Limericks lead to three after 48 minutes. Roisin Bailey and a Ni Sé free came either side of an excellent Roisin Ambrose score.

Maeve O’Neill’s 60th minute effort left a single point between the side again. A nervy additional time ensued before Karen O’Leary slotted over an insurance score with the clock deep into the red to complete the two-point success and secure a passage into the semi-finals.

SCORERS: Limerick: Deborah Murphy 1-03 (0-2 frees), Caoimhe McGrath (0-2 frees), Iris Kennelly, Karen O’Leary 0-2 each, Roisin Ambrose, Katie Heelan, 0-1 each. Carlow: Cliodhna Ní Sé 0-4 (0-3 frees), Sinead Hayden 1-0, Rachel Sawyer 0-2, Edel Hayden, Roisin Bailey, Maeve O’Neill 0-1 each.