WATCH: Donal Ryan on the disappointing Carlow result and relishing being the semi-final underdogs

Following Limerick’s disappointing defeat to Carlow on Sunday, the Limerick Ladies Footballers are still into the last four of the All-Ireland championship where they will face Wicklow next weekend.

Donal Ryan’s side went into the game level on points with Carlow and Derry but they advanced due to their superior head-to-head record thanks to their round two victory over Derry.

Carlow ended up convincing winners of the game on a scoreline of 4-10 to 1-9, after a late flurry of goals made the scoreboard a harsh report on Limerick’s performance.

Speaking after the game, manager Donal Ryan spoke about the ‘disappointing’ result.

“It’s not what we came here to do, we came here to win the game. After that spell just before half time when Carlow got those two goals and couple of points, we went down nine points at half time and it is a big thing to claw back.”

There was a long delay to the game due to an injury to Limerick midfielder Andrea O’Sullivan going down with an injury as the medics opted not to move her from the pitch as they waited for an ambulance.

Other Limerick injuries hampered their performance as captain Niamh McCarthy was forced off. Maedbh McCarthy also suffered an injury but received a sinbin just as the management team were about to have her replaced. A sign of Limerick’s luck on the day.

During the hour long delay, Ryan spoke of how tough it was for the team, seeing a serious injury to Andrea O’Sullivan.

“You just let them chat between themselves and get out the tactics board and point out a few bits and pieces. It’s a tough one but once Andrea’s okay, at the end of the day it’s a game of football, hopefully there’s nothing seriously wrong with her.”

The team didn’t drop their heads, clawing a nine-point lead back before Carlow went on a late run once again.

Progression

Luckily, Wicklow beat Derry 1-11 to 2-14 to see Limerick advance to the semi-final against the favourites Wicklow who have only lost one championship game in two years.

On the other side of the draw, Antrim and Carlow will go head-to-head also next weekend in the TG4 All Ireland Junior Ladies Football Championship.

Limerick will have nothing to lose against Wicklow and Donal Ryan is relishing the challenge.