Louth LGFA play out hard-fought draw against Down

Louth’s LGFA Lidl National Football League Division Three campaign got underway with a hard-fought draw against neighbours Down in Darver on Sunday last.

The match was originally scheduled for Tullylish and then Ardglass, but was switched to the all-weather pitch due to heavy rain.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: Photos from a fantastic day at Glenmore AC Kearney McBride Races

Eimear Fitzpatrick was Down’s hero, scoring an injury-time equaliser from a dead ball to add to her 0-8 tally. Down opened the scoring with Fitzpatrick converting a long-distance free.

Louth responded impressively, with Aine Breen pointing and Ciera Nolan with a surging run and point before the Fechin’s star was unlucky to see her shot kept out by the woodwork, with Breen from the rebound slotted over, giving the Reds the lead for the first time in the eighth minute.

Things got even better for Kevin Larkin’s side shortly after when Eimear Byrne intercepted a poor kick out and dispatched her shot ruthlessly to the Down net after Louth had passed up a number of good chances.

Down fought back strongly with three points of their own, before a wonderful move involving a number of Louth players again ended with Aine Breen finding Eimear Byrne in space, and the St. Mochta’s star fired an unstoppable shot to the Down net.

The northern side replied with Fitzpatrick again on target from a free, leaving Louth 2-3 to 0-6 in front at the interval.

Down resumed strongly with early scores from Niamh Rice and Eva Hicks but again the Louth response was emphatic as youngsters Amy Murray and Zara Sweeney combined in contributing to Ciera Woods brilliant goal.

The Clan Na Gael star out jumped a couple of defenders to punch to the net to the delight of the huge home following giving Louth a 3-3 to 0-7 lead lead with just ten minutes left.

The game ended with a flurry of scores as Eva Hicks beat Rebecca Lambe-Fagan from close range for a crucial goal to leave just the minimum between the sides.

Meghan Doherty and Zara Sweeney then exchanged points and with the game deep in added on time, Louth were penalised for a breach of the 3v3 rule enabling Fitzpatrick to kick the equaliser in the last action of the game.

Louth: Rebecca Lambe-Fagan, Seoda Matthews, Eilish Hand, Holly Lambe-Sally, Amy Murray, Shannon McLaughlin, Louise Byrne, Aoife Halligan, Aine Breen (0-2), Lucy White, Ceire Nolan (0-1), Zara Sweeney (0-1), Eimear Byrne (2-1), Laura Collins (0-1), Ciara Woods (1-0).

Subs used: Mischa Rooney, Sophie Everitt, Emma Thompson, Naoise McConnon, Grace Hoey.

Down: Cara Bradley, Neva Loudon, Orlagh Blaney, Erin Sands, Niamh Edgar, Ciara McCreanor, Niamh McGrath, Meghan Doherty, (0-1), Niamh McClory (0-1), Eimear Fitzpatrick (0-8), Louise Duffy, Niamh King, Niamh Rice (0-2), Eva Hicks (1-0)

Referee: Philip Conway (Armagh).

Louth manager Kevin Larkin was disappointed his side didn’t get the win, but felt there was much to be happy with.

He said: “We played very well for over fifty minutes, and then the game got away from us. It wasn’t individual errors, it was a collection of errors which led to Down coming back.

“It feels like a loss even though we didn’t lose the game, and the players are very disappointed. Down beat us by two points last season, and we had a number of players making their competitive debuts today, which is good for them.

“We will learn from today, work on that in training this week, we’ll do our analysis and be ready for Clare next week.”

Louth had five players who made their competitive debut, all of whom impressed.

“They were all terrific, Amy Murray was fantastic, while Sophie Everitt and 17-year-old Grace Hoey are excellent players, while I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work as hard as Zara (Sweeney) and Ciara Woods got a brilliant goal and while we’re disappointed, we know there are a lot of positives to be taken from today.”