Louth Ladies defeat Fermanagh to remain unbeaten

Louth’s unbeaten run in the Lidl LGFA National League continues after a thrilling four-goal second-half demolition of Fermanagh at the Integral GAA grounds in Drogheda on Sunday.

Played before a huge attendance, Louth were quickly off the mark with Eimear Byrne slotting over inside 90 seconds.

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Fermanagh came back and points from Eimear Smyth (2) and Sinead Barrett give them a 0:3 to 0:1 lead by the 10th minute. Louth hit back to draw level with well-taken scores from Ciara Woods and Aine Breen.

The home side then had the game’s first goal chance when Ciara Woods was put in the clear by a superb pass from her clubmate Shannon McLaughlin, but the Clan Na Gael star was denied by a fine stop by Aisling Quinn.

The Ulster side took advantage of this let-off with Smyth converting twice from frees.

The normally reliable Derrygonnelly star missed a further chance from a close-in free, her effort coming back off the bar, and it was left to Aine Breen to have the final say, slotting over to leave the visitors with a slender 0:5 to 0:4 after a well-contested and exciting half.

Despite Emer Smyth getting the opening score on the resumption, Louth were beginning to dominate, and the scores began to flow. 

A devastating 15 minute spell yielded 4-4 to a solitary point in reply from the shell-shocked visitors.

The first of the goals came on 37 minutes when a superb pass by Shannon McLaughlin found Eimear Byrne, and the St. Mochta’s star rounded a couple of defenders before unleashing a thunderous shot past a hapless Aisling Quinn.

Ciere Nolan added a superb point from distance, before Ciara Woods followed up with a sublime lob over Aisling Quinn, and Sophie Everitt added a third with a clinical shot into the roof of the net.

Everitt, the first Wolfe Tone player to represent Louth at adult level, then showed maturity beyond her tender years by dispatching a penalty in style after Louise Byrne was fouled.

Louth’s midfield mastery and attacking power proved too much for  the Erne girls, with Eimear Byrne, Ciara Woods, Shannon McLaughlin, Ciera Nolan and Sophie Everitt leading the charge, while Rebecca Lambe Fegan brilliantly saved from Eimear Smyth’s well-taken spot kick.

With the top two counties being promoted and a fortnight’s break to their next outing, Louth are well placed to mount a promotion challenge.

They have three of their four remaining fixtures on home soil, with Limerick, Antrim and Laois all due to visit, and the only away game being a trip to take on  Roscommon.

Louth: Rebecca Lambe Fegan, Seoda Matthews, Eilish Hand, Holly Lambe Sally, Amy Murray, Shannon McLaughlin, Louise Byrne, Aoife Halligan, Aine Breen (C) 0:2, Lucy White, Ciera Nolan 0:1, Zara Sweeney, Eimear Byrne 1:3; Laura Collins,  Ciara Woods 1:2

Subs used: Maggie Holland, Sophie Everitt 2:1, Eimear Callaghan, Emma Thompson, Sophia Stitt, Naoise McConnon,

Fermanagh: Aisling Quinn, Aisling Keenan, Cadhla-Cara Bogue, Aisling O’Brien, Sarah McCarville, Brenda Bannon, 0:1, Caitriona Breen, Seana Feeley, Sinead Barrett 0:1, Niamh McManus,  Aine McCarney, Sarah Britton Ederney, Eimear Smyth 0:5, Eimear McMahon 

Referee: Henri Clifford (Meath)