Louth Ladies fall to narrow defeat against Down

Louth lost out to Down in round four of their Lidl National Football League campaign in Páirc Naomh Malachi on Sunday afternoon.

Overall, Down deserved to come away from Courtbane with the spoils, as they retained possession better than Louth, who were guilty of some sloppy passing on the ball.

Down were also able to physically impose themselves on proceedings, with Clara Mulvenna, and Natalie McKibbin a supporting cast for Meghan Doherty and Aoife Laverty in midfield.

Following a tight first half, which saw the sides level by the time the half drew to a close, Down stepped things up, going onto to lead by 1-7 to 0-5, with 50 minutes on the clock.

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However, loose play while in possession from Down, led to the Newtown Blues’ Laura Collins finding the back of the net to give Louth hope.

Despite this, Down closed the game out, with forward Niamh King sparkling up front, kicking her fifth point of the game to leave three between the sides.

Louth, who did reply through Eimear Byrne could not muster a late rescue act, with Down taking home a much needed three points, on a 1-8 to 1-6 scoreline.

Early on, Louth opened the scoring through scorer in chief Kate Flood’s close range free, after captain Aine Breen forced Down’s Aoife Laverty to over carry the ball.

Despite shooting into a first half wind, Down managed a crucial goal, when a patient move involving Aoife Laverty and Meghan Doherty, led to Laoise Duffy taking a pass off the shoulder, before finding Niamh McClorey, who fired to the Louth net to give her side a 1-0 to 0-1 lead.

Louth, who did not quite fire on all cylinders in attack, finishing with 1-2 from 11 shots in open play over the hour, managed back-to-back points, through Kate Flood (f), before Laura Collins pointed from play, following a patient move involving Aine Breen, Lucy White and Eimear Byrne, which left it 0-3 to 1-0 in a tight opening quarter.

Two more scores were registered before the interval, with Kate Flood putting Louth ahead from a free, moments prior to Eimear Byrne being denied a goal thanks to an Erin Sands block, following a strong run from Aine Breen, who combined with Lucy White in the build-up.

While at the other end, Rebecca Lambe Fagan denied Natash Ferris with a fine save from close range, before Clara Mulvenna set up Niamh King, who found the range from play to leave the sides level at the break, at 0-4 to 1-2 in a low scoring half.

Second Half:

Following the restart, Down came out of the blocks, amassing three points without reply, in a dominant period for the visitors.

Eimear Fitzpatrick put Down ahead, before a magnificent strike by Natasha Ferris from a tricky angle stretched that lead to two points.

Niamh King further exemplified Down’s clever judgement of that breeze to give her side a 1-4 to 0-4 lead by the end of the third quarter.

Louth’s growing error margin led to many attacks going astray, as they struggled for fluency.

Kevin Larkin’s side did close the gap with another Kate Flood free. But more eye-catching shooting from Niamh King (2) and Eimear Fitzpatrick, gave Down that five point cushion with 10 minutes left.

However, Louth were gifted a lifeline, when the hardworking Aoife Halligan, who finished with 24 possessions over the hour, intercepted a poor kick pass across the pitch from Down.

With just one Down defender, plus their goalkeeper in Louth’s half, Halligan’s pass over the top found Kate Flood baring down on goal.

Flood’s soccer style pass found Laura Collins close to goal.

Collins turned and drove the ball to the bottom corner to set up a grandstand finish, with Down who were seemingly in control of the game, seeing their lead cut to two with 6 minutes left.

Alongside Halligan, Aine Breen saw most of the ball from a Louth perspective with 22 possessions, while Holly Lambe Sally can be pleased with her afternoon’s work. The Geraldines player had to deal with a tricky customer in Down’s Laoise Duffy. She finished with 17 possessions, as did St Fechins’ Ceire Nolan.

Tho their credit, Down responded, with Aoife Laverty setting up Niamh King for another delightful white flag, stretching her side’s lead to three again.

Down will probably feel they ought to put the game to bed, when Eimear Fitzpatrick saw her penalty saved by Rebecca Lambe Fagan, to keep Louth in the game.

The Reds had to go for broke, as they tried to save themselves. Eimear Byrne’s outside of the boot shot flew over the bar, closing the gap to two again at 1-8 to 1-6 in added time.

Despite another Aine Breen 45 finding Laura Collins within goal scoring range, referee David Hurson blew for full time, with Louth failing to score directly from the set piece, which left the Wee County frustrated at being denied the chance to rescue the game.

Ultimately, Down held on for a deserved victory, which leaves things interesting in the race for promotion. Looking ahead, Louth welcome Carlow next week.

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

Subs: Emma Gartlan for Russell (50), Caoimhe Boyle for Lambe Sally (52), Rachel Leonard for Louise Byrne (61)

Down: Catherine Byrne; Claire Milburn, Erin Sands, Ciara McCreanor; Natalie McKibbin, Clara Mulvenna, Aimee Greene; Aoife Laverty, Meghan Doherty; Laoise Duffy, Eimer Fitzpatrick (0-2), Niamh McClorey (1-0); Niamh Rice, Niamh King (0-5 )(1f), Natasha Ferris (0-1).

Subs: Aine Smyth for Rice (41), Vivienne McCormack for Ferris (49), Niamh McGrath for Milburn (52), Shanna Fettes for McClorey (61).

Referee: David Hurson (Co Monaghan).