First half goals secure a valuable victory for Louth against Offaly

Lidl Ladies National League Division 3 Round 2

Louth 2-12 Offaly 0-7

A quick start proved decisive for the Louth Ladies Footballers as they recorded a second win in a row to remain joint top of the table in Division 3.

Kit Henry’s troops were on the road for the first time this season as they made the trip across the province for a Leinster Derby with Offaly in Clara.

Having burst out of the gates with 2-3 without reply, the goals coming from Lauren Boyle and Aoife Halligan, the result never looked in doubt from here on in as the Wee County recorded a well-earned 11-point victory.

The hosts did eventually find their stride as the tie progressed, but the damage was already done. And had Louth been more clinical this game could’ve been won by a lot more.

But nonetheless, it leaves them sitting pretty in second place behind Wexford, with just one point separating them in the scoring stakes.

Buoyed by their win over Longford, the Girls in Red came out determined early in the first half.

They were winning every battle, with Ceire Nolan dropping into a defensive position to gain turnovers and Aine Breen one of many pacey solo runners that was cutting the home side to shreds.

The problem was they weren’t making this domination count on the scoreboard, with two attempts going short and another two going wide in the first seven minutes.

But they soon got their just desserts when grabbing their first goal.

Breen again ploughed through the heart of the Offaly defence before finding an awaiting Kate Flood.

The former Aussie Rules star duly launched one in towards the square for Lauren Boyle. She calmly shimmied past her marker and blasted it home past Kelly Cuningham.

From here the floodgates opened, the Wee County grabbing another 1-3 without replay to go into a nine-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Points came from Laura Collins (2) and Boyle, but the crucial second goal was bagged by Aoife Halligan.

She read the Offaly kickout perfectly, intercepting it and duly soloing goalward. Her effort from close range rattling the net and leaving the home side with a mountain to climb.

For many sides facing this adversity, they could’ve backed down into their shells, praying for the final whistle to come. But Offaly dug deep and never gave up, even outscoring Louth in the second quarter.

They upped the tempo and played a more direct style of football, their extra work rate seeing them draw plenty of fouls near the Louth posts. Having had two poor misses from Saorah Doyle, free taking duties were handed over to Emer Nally who looked more confident.

The Naomh Ciaran clubwoman sunk over three frees, which coupled with an effort from Nicole Farrelly kept the Faithful side somewhat in the contest. During their purple patch there was still time for scores from Flood, Collins and Mia Duffy to leave the contest at 2-6 to 0-4 at half time.

The third quarter gave Louth another chance to enhance their lead as once more they came out of blocks fast, helped by an early yellow card on 38 minutes for Saoirse McGuinness that saw her spent 10 minutes in the sinbin.

But sadly, the Wee County were lacklustre when it came to shooting, only taking two of their first nine attempts in the second half, again via Collins and Boyle.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and were being rewarded by frees all over the field. Three in a row from Farrelly and Nally (2) giving the home support maybe a slight sense of false hope.

But Kit Henry’s side were not going to be outdone and backed by a series of five second half substitutes, they kicked on nicely, keeping Offaly to just two scoring opportunities in the final 10 minutes, both of which were missed.

Meanwhile they found their shooting boots once more, as efforts from Flood, Boyle and Collins (2) saw them put deserved gloss on the final score line. Next up is a home tie this Sunday afternoon when the Wee County host Sligo.

Offaly: Kelly Cuningham; Katlyn Flynn, Ava Dolan, Emer Nally (0-5 frees); Nicole Farrelly (0-2), Emma Maher, Michelle Mann; Ciara Walsh, Roisin Ennis, Amy Gavin Mangan, Becca O’Connor, Saoirse McGuiness; Saorah Doyle, Marie Byrne, Kiah Farrelly. Subs: Annie Heavin for O’Connor (19), Anna Grehan for Flynn (50), Becky Byrant for Doyle (50), Saorah Doyle (returning) for Gavin Mangan (62).

Louth: Rebecca Lambe Fagan; Eimear Murray, Caoimhe Boyle, Rachel Berth; Aoife Russell, Shannen McLaughlin, Caithlin O’Reilly; Aoife Halligan (1-0), Aine Breen; Mia Duffy (0-1), Grace Traynor, Lauren Boyle (1-3, 0-2 frees); Ceire Nolan, Kate Flood (0-2), Laura Collins (0-6, 0-5 frees). Subs: Niamh Rice for Traynor (19), Eilish Hand for Russell (30+3), Dearbhla O’Connor (HT), Hannah O’Neill for O’Reilly (45), Aideen Dunne for McLaughlin (52), Roisin Maguire for Lauren Boyle (55), Michelle O’Hagan for Flood (59).

Referee: Aaron Clogher (Roscommon)