CARLOW 0-5 LOUTH 3-15

Carlow suffered a heavy defeat on Sunday last in Tinryland GAA ground, when they played host to a very strong Louth side, the ‘Wee County’ came into this game unbeaten in the Bord Gais Energy Ladies NFL and although the home side were playing with a slight wind advantage in the first half they were unable to gain any ground over the visitors during that period. Carlow were guilty of conceding four easy frees, that were all converted by Louths top scorer Roseanna Heaney.
Even though Louth were firmly in the driving seat through out the game they did not have an easy passage, great credit must go to Geraldine Mahers Carlow side, who worked tirelessly from the throw in; right up to the final whistle, to get a foothold in the game including a number of excellent saves from their net minder Jenny O’Neill, to ensure that the ‘Wee County’ earned every score, O’Neill was first called into action in the fourth minute to put in a brave block on Orlaith Kirk, but the rebound was picked up by Laura O’Neill and the number fifteen rattled the back of O’Neills net to open Louths account, Seconds later Kirk got on the score sheet herself with a point, and it looked as if the writing was on the wall for the ‘Floral County’.
However, before the paint could dry, Carlow responded with three unanswered points, the first from Grania Cowman and a brace from their top scorer Sinead Doyle, to pare the Louth lead back to a single point (0-3 to 1-1) and it looked as though it was going to a close game, and in fairness to both sides it was a tight enough game on the pitch, but unfortunately for the home side they were unable to match their effort and determination with scores on the board.
Louth’s number ten Roseanna Heaney added their second goal in the tenth minute and Orlaith Kirk was on hand in the eighteenth minute to raise the green flag to register Louths third goal, and from there on the North Leinster side got in to the groove, going in at the break with a thirteen point lead (0-3 to 3-7).
The home side were unable to add to their tally until the fifth and the twentieth minute of the second half, with both points coming from the boot of Sinead Doyle.
The Louth ladies continued to keep a firm grip on proceedings and there were further scores from Roseanna Heaney, Orlaith Kirk, Caoimhe Hearty and Catherine Page to leave a final scoreline of 3-15 to 0-5.
At this stage Louth management decided to make a number of changes and with players of the calibre of Karen Gogarty, Ciara Rafferty, Caoimhe Hearty, Marie Brennan, Bronagh Mc Grane, Karen Wynne and Olivia Grant on the bench the management were spoilt for choice. Five minutes into the second half Marie Brennan replaced the hard working Susan Byrne in the corner forward position. After another point scored by Roseanna Heaney, another substitution was made-Caoimhe Hearty for Edel Mc Keown. Irene Hoey and Emear Brennan made way for Ciara Rafferty and Karen Gogarty in the corner back positions. Karen Wynne later replaced Laura O Neill. Olivia Grant and Bronagh Mc Grane replaced Patricia Marmion and and Ann-Marie Lynch.
On Sunday next, Louth face Roscommon who are on equal points with Louth( nine apiece) in Division 3 of the National League and Roscommon have beaten Limerick, Offaly and Carlow by similar margins, so next Sunday’s game should should be a real cracker…
Carlow must file this game away in the history folder and prepare to welcome Limerick to their home patch on Sunday next, and while the Shannonsiders may have a little more experience in their squad, its a game that the home side could collect all three points from on the day.
Carlow scorers: Grania Cowman 0-1, Sinead Doyle 0-4.
Louth scorers: Roseanna Heaney(1-6(4f), Orlaith Kirk(1-4), Gráinne Mackin(0-1), Laura O’ Neill(1-1), Catherine Page(0-2), Caoimhe Hearty(0-1).

Carlow: Jenny O’Neill, Aoife Kane, Aine Kinsella, Maura Murphy, Amy Doyle, Karen Doyle, Ciara Foley, Grania Cowman (0-1), Pamela Dowling (capt), Laura Corrigan, Sinead Doyle (0-4 (3f), Maria Kinsella, Marian Hayden, Sinead Lyons, Lisa Smith, Sub: Georgina Coleman for Aoife Kane.
Louth: Caoimhe Breen, Eimear Brennan, Grace Lynch, Irene Hoey, Ann-Marie Lynch, Sandra Lynch, Patricia Marmion,Edel Mc Keown Sloane, Catherine Page, Roseanna Heaney, Niamh Reid, Gráinne Mackin, Susan Byrne, Orlaith Kirk, Laura O’ Neill, Subs; Marie Brennan, Caoimhe Hearty, Ciara Rafferty, Karen Gogarty, Karen Wynne, Olivia Grant, Bronagh Mc Grane.

Referee: Tony Lennon (Dublin)