Louth continue unbeaten LGFA league campaign

Louth’s excellent start to the LGFA Lidl National Football League continued with a deserved win over Limerick at Drogheda on Sunday afternoon.

It was a top against bottom clash, with Louth needing a win to stay ahead and Limerick seeking their first victory in three games to escape the bottom spot.

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The win keeps Louth joint top of the table. It sets up a crunch meeting with Antrim who they beat in last year’s All-Ireland Junior Footall Championship final with the winners being hot favourites to take one of the two promotion places.

However, the final scoreline does not reflect the effort Limerick gave and they can reflect on a positive, very honest performance. They give a account of themselves with a really spirited display.

Showing four changes from the starting team that beat Fermanagh, Louth dominated the early exchanges,  but they struggled to convert their chances into scores against a well-organised Limerick defensive structure.

However, after seven minutes, they finally broke the deadlock when Ciara Woods brilliantly won possession, beat a defender and unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the Limerick net.

The Munster side responded with a score from Caoimhe McGrath, but the home team were enjoying the lion's share of possession with  Sophie Everitt (2) extending Louth’s lead before McGrath replied with a point of her own.

Limerick did create a goal chance late in the half, but Rebecca Lambe Fegan reacted smartly to keep out Caoimhe McGrath’s goal-bound shot.

At the break, Louth led 1-3 to 0-2 after a tight, physical contest, with Louth’s ability to get crucial scores keeping them ahead.

Louth resumed with increased urgency, and they were quickly rewarded with both Sophie Everitt and Shannon McLaughlin firing over.Limerick did reply courtesy of another  Caoimhe McGrath point.

The 2025 All-Ireland Junior Football Championship winners responded with a second goal, again Ciara Woods playing a prominent role as her pinpoint pass found Ciera Nolan in support, and the St. Fechin’s star lashed an unstoppable shot past Limerick keeper Carol Bateman, giving the Reds a 2-6 to 0-4 lead after 50 minutes.

To their credit, Limerick added a couple of scores before both management teams gave most of their substitutes some valuable minutes on the field.

Louth: Rebecca Lambe-Fagan, Moyà Corrigan, Eilish Hand, Holly Lambe-Sally, Amy Murray, Shannon McLaughlin (0-1), Naoise McConnon, Aoife Halligan, Aine Breen, Lucy White, Ceire Nolan (1-1), Emma Thompson, Eimear Byrne (0-1), Sophie Everitt (0-4), Ciara Woods (1-0)

Subs used: Zara Sweeney, Mia Duffy, Louise Byrne, Laura Collins, Maggie Holland, Rachel Beirth, Meabh Hickey.

Limerick: Carol Bateman, Shona Hickey, Aine Ryan, Rebecca Fitzgibbon, Meadhbh MacNamara, Lucy O’Brien, Eadaoin Crowe, Orla Ryan, Emma Hickey, Caoimhe McNamara (0-1), Laura Ryan, Katie Heelan, Caoimhe McGrath (0-5), Tara Geoghegan, Laoise Brown.

Subs used: Clodagh Real, Anna O'Dea Oola, Martha Stanley, Moly Creedon, Leah Coughlan Oola,  Alex Russell, Jillian Buckley, Aisling Enright.

Referee: Ian Culbert (Wicklow).