Louth Ladies collect a point in Carlow

Louth Ladies collect point in Carlow

Louth 2-4 Carlow 0-10

Louth Ladies came back from the brink to draw the game in last Sunday’s
match against Carlow in Tullow in the third round of the Division
3A National League. Carlow were on top from the throw in with points
from Sinead Doyle and Sinead Lyons putting the home side two points
up within minutes of the throw in. Louth were becoming masters of
their own destiny as they gave away free after free and Carlow capitalised
on this, putting them four points ahead before Louth got the ball
back in their own scoring area. Louth worked hard to maintain possession
against a strong wind. Unfortunately when they did get the ball
into their own scoring half, they failed to convert from play and
from frees, with two wides in succession.

Carlow benefited from playing with a strong wind and from the lack
of concentration by the Louth backs, and they notched up three points
in a row without reply from the wee county. Both Ciara and Karen
Raftery, both playing in the full back line were crucial in ensuring
this game was not beyond Louth’s reach as the interval approached.
Una Coleman was unlucky not to convert to get Louth on the scoring
board before the interval. Carlow strengthened their lead before
the interval by scoring a point, leaving them eight points ahead
to no score at half time.

No changes to the Louth team at the start of the second half which
was surprising given their performance in the first half. However,
despite this Orlaith Kirk got the wee county off to a good start
as she held possession from the throw in but was unlucky not to
convert. Louth certainly played with more momentum and determination
in the second half, but despite this Carlow were first to score
in the second half. Louth made some changes, with Kim Lynch being
replaced by Caroline Hanlon and Patricia Marmion replacing Caoimhe
Heraty. Following this, Louth went on a scoring rampage, with their
first score coming from a free which Niamh Reid converted. The ball
was then won back by Carlow, but a foul on full back Sandra Lynch
gave Louth back possession and combination play from Lynch, Kirk,
Marmion and Coleman ensured that Niamh Reid made no mistake when
in front of Carlow’s Jenny O’Neill and sent the ball to the back
of the net, bringing Louth to within a five point deficit with twenty
minutes to go. Points from Patricia Marmion and Rosana Heaney narrowed
the gap to three points and Carlow were struggling to get the ball
into their scoring half at this stage. Marie Brennan replaced Grainne
Mackin on the Louth team. Both teams were then guilty of wides with
Niamh Reid being unlucky and Carlow’s Sinead Lyons failed to score
from a free also. Tara Lynch then replaced Una Coleman on the Louth
team, a move that really worked for Louth as Lynch was no sooner
on the pitch than the ball was in the back of the net, bringing
Louth level with Carlow with about 5 minutes to go. However this
was short lived as Carlow got back up the field and notched up another
score to put them one point ahead. Tara Lynch was then unlucky when
her free kick was just inches wide.

Both teams were really giving it everything at this stage and Carlow
had possession this was quickly overturned by Jenny Agnew who fed
the ball to Patricia Marmion who put the ball over the bar to bring
the sides level again as the full time whistle approached. Louth
were then awarded a free and Lynch was again unlucky not to convert.
As the ball was kicked out the full-time whistle blew and Louth
will be happy to have come away with a point, whereas Carlow must
be wondering where how their eight point lead was overturned by
the wee county.

Louth supporters and management will be disappointed with the teams
first half performance but will be happy with the second half performance
and given that the team is in the rebuilding process a lot can be
taken from the performance of the younger players who for many are
playing at county level for the first time. Long serving players
such as Orlaith Kirk, Ciara & Karen Raftery and Anne Marie Lynch
were critical in keeping the spirits up and regaining possession
at many stages during the game. Louth now go on to meet Cavan at
home on St. Patrick’s weekend.

Louth Team 1. Karen Wynne, 2. Ciara Raftery, 3. Sandra Lynch, 4.
Karen Raftery, 5. Grainne Mackin, 6. Edel McKeown, 7. Anne Marie
Lynch, 8. Orla Kirk, 9. Catherine McGee(captain), 10. Kim Lynch,
11. Una Coleman 12. Jenny Agnew, 13. Rosana Heaney, 14. Niamh Reid,
15. Caoimhe Heraty, 16. Tara Lynch 17. Bronagh McGrane, 18. Caroline
Hanlon, 19. Patricia Marmion, 20. Marie Brennan, 21.Debbie Mulligan,
22. Lisa Corentin Louth Scorers Patricia Marmion 0-2 Niamh Reid
1-1 Rosana Heaney 0-1 Tara Lynch 1-0