Louth Ladies book their place in All-Ireland JFC semi-final

Louth booked their place in the semi-finals of the TG4 All Ireland Junior Championship following this emphatic victory over Derry in Owenbeg on Sunday afternoon.

Kevin Larkin’s side led from start to finish as they comfortably made it three wins from three in their All Ireland Championship group, with two first half goals from Eimear Byrne and Kate Flood setting the Wee County on their way to a 2-9 to 0-1 lead at the break. Both players accounted for 2-10 of Louth’s 2-19.

An impressive facet of this performance from a Wee County perspective was their work ethic, and determination to win back possession high up the pitch, particularly on the home side’s kickout.

READ NEXT: Dundalk ready for top-of-the-table clash against Cobh

Despite only winning five out of 14 on Derry’s kickout in that opening period, Louth’s intensity in the tackle saw them win the ball back time and time again, with Aoife Halligan and Aine Breen setting the tone in midfield, backed up by Shannen McLaughlin, and Seoda Matthews who also worked tirelessly in that department. 2-6 of the visitors’ first half tally of 2-9 emanated from such turnovers.

Following two early scores from Kate Flood (including 1 free), further intense tackling and neat passages of play saw Lucy White and Eimear Byrne give Louth a 0-4 to no score lead after 11 minutes.

In that period, Lucy White was also denied at close range by Derry keeper Thomasina Cassidy, who also thwarted Aoife Russell in that first half.

Before the end of the first quarter, Derry did get on the scoreboard thanks to an impressive long range free from Annie Ni Lochlainn, a point which would have earned her side two points under the FRC rules in men’s GAA.

However, Louth were relentless and showed no signs of letting up.

Another flowing move involving Aoife Halligan and Russell saw Louth captain Aine Breen put four between the sides before another Flood brace left the Reds ahead by 0-7 to 0-1 in the 22nd minute.

Having threatened a major on several occasions in that first half, it was no surprise that Louth found the back of the net through Eimear Byrne. Following a neat move involving Ceire Nolan and Lucy White, the St Mochtas player cleverly sidestepped Derry keeper Cassidy, before slotting home that opening goal for Louth.

Kate Flood pointed again, before Aoife Russell who finished with 35 possessions over the hour landed Louth’s ninth point of the game, following slick play from Eimear Byrne and Seoda Matthews in the build-up.

Louth’s delightful passing and penetrative running was illustrated in their second goal through Kate Flood, with Aine Breen and Aoife Russell heavily involved. Breen herself finished with 25 possessions. This goal left Louth firmly in charge, leading by 2-9 to 0-1 at half time.

Second Half:

There was a sense of inevitability about the outcome in this championship clash, as Louth tagged on further scores to seal this emphatic win.

Following on from her hattrick against Kilkenny last week, half time sub Ciara Woods landed the first of three second half points from the Clan na Gael forward, while another score from the menacing Eimear Byrne left Louth 2-11 to 0-2 ahead by the end of the third quarter, with a sweetly struck Niamh Hannon point seeing Derry land their first white flag from open play.

From there, Louth were able to add more names to their scoresheet.

More flowing football saw Eimear Byrne and Ciara Woods add two more points each, while Aine Breen and Shannen McLaughlin chipped in with late scores, as did sub Zara Sweeney, a player who continues to add to her growing reputation as an exciting prospect in the red of Louth.

But for a few missed chances, Louth could have added further goals to their tally. Despite this, the Leinster JFC winners still amassed a commendable conversion stat of 2-17 from 30 shots in open play.

From a Derry perspective, Annie Ni Lochlainn deserves a noteworthy mention, as she treated those in attendance to some fine point taking in the game, while Bláithín Donnelly ran her heart out in midfield.

However, there was no doubt about Louth’s supremacy in this game, as they look ahead to a home clash against Sligo next weekend to see who advances to the semi finals as winners of this group.

Louth: Rebecca Lambe Fagan; Eimear Murray, Eilís Hand, Rachel Beirth; Louise Byrne, Shannen McLaughlin (0-1), Holly Lambe Sally; Aine Breen (0-2), Aoife Halligan; Seoda Matthews, Eimear Byrne (1-4), Lucy White (0-1); Aoife Russell (0-1), Kate Flood (1-6) (2f), Ceire Nolan.

Subs: Zara Sweeney (0-1) for Nolan (32), Ciara Woods (0-3) for Sally (HT), Caoimhe Boyle for Murray (40), Mia Duffy fir Matthews (47), Gemma McCrave for Louise Byrne (56).

Derry: Thomasina Cassidy; Caoimhe Dillon, Grace Brewster, Joanne Corr; Anna Donnelly, Sarah Hargan, Katie Hargan; Bláitín Donnelly, Leah Brewster; Niamh Hannon (0-1), Anna Ní Lochlainn (0-3) (1f), Aoife Gormley; Aine McAlister, Meabh Boylan, Hannah McEldowney.

Subs: Isabella O’Kane for Cassidy (HT), Jemma Shivers for Boylan (HT), Kate McCann for Gormley (HT), Erin Dillon for McEldowney (44), Leah Casey for McAlister (54).

Referee: David Hurson (Co Monaghan).