Louth goals put paid to Carlow's hopes in Drogheda

LEINSTER LGFA JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 2

LOUTH 5-8 CARLOW 2-15

A late comeback came up just short as Louth advanced to the Leinster final in this thrilling encounter at Integral Park, Drogheda on Sunday. Carlow’s propensity to conceding goals cost them.

The Wee County got off to a great start with Mischa Rooney scoring two goals in three minutes. Even with the wind, Carlow struggled with Bronagh Nolan raising a white flag. A third home goal scored by Aine Breen suggested a route was on the card but the visitors enjoyed a good spell with points from Clíodhna Ní Shé (3fs), Elaine Ware, Ella Molloy and Tara Lyons.

The attempted comeback was stifled by another goal for Louth through Shannen McLaughlin as the home side went in leading 4-5 to 0-7 at the break.

Carlow were a different side from there as they took the game to the home side. The introduction of Aibha Kiernan saw the dual intercounty player score 1-1 in a matter of minutes but that three-pointer was cancelling out Rooney’s third goal.

Just as it looked as if Louth had done enough, Carlow swooped for a second goal via Kate Burke and now the away side came in waves. With Louth supporters looking for the full-time whistle in over seven minutes injury time, a Megan Townsend flashed across the goal from right to left. An outstretched foot could have made all the difference. It wasn’t to be as Louth survived but it was oh so close.

Assuming Louth beat Kilkenny, Carlow take on Longford on Saturday next in Carlow with the winners progressing.

Scorers:

Louth: M Rooney 3-1, K Flood 0-6 (3fs), S McLaughlin, A Breen 1-0 each, L White 0-1. 

Carlow: C Ní Shé 0-6 (5fs), A Kiernan, K Burke 1-1 each, E Molloy 0-2, B Nolan, E Ware, S Hayden, M Townsend, T Lyons 0-1each.

LOUTH: Katie Halligan; Caoimhe Boyle, Eimear Murray, Louise Byrne; Victoria Fee, Shannen McLaughlin, Aoife Russell; Seoda Matthews, Aine Breen; Lucy White, Emma Gartian, Mischa Rooney; Kate Flood, Ciara Woods, Ceire Nolan. Subs: Holly Lambe Sally for Boyle (41),k Zara Sweeney for Gartian (47), Laura Collins for Rooney (53), Rachel Leonard for Fee (55), Caitlin O’Reilly for Woods (55).

CARLOW: Nicole Hanley; Sinead McCullagh, Clodagh Mahon, Ruth Bermingham; Tara Lyons, Aoife Carroll, Beibhin Nolan; Roisin Bailey, Elaine Ware; Bronagh Nolan, Aoibhinn Webb, Ella Molloy; Edel Hayden, Clíodhna Ní Shé, Kate Burke. Subs: Aibha Kiernan for Beibhin Nolan (31), Marie Cranny for Hayden (43), Megan Townsend for Webb (43), Sinead Hayden for Mahon (53), Marie O’Neill for Burke (57).

Referee: Henri Clifford (Meath).