Down pip Limerick to All-Ireland Junior title in Croke Park

Down substitute Oola Swail slalomed through the defence before firing a rifle low and hard and into the corner of the Limerick net.

Down just edged Limerick to the 2023 Lidl Ladies Football Junior Championship title with a 1-7 to 0-8 win in Croke Park this afternoon.

A 43rd minute goal from Orla Swail was the decisive score as the Carryduff player finished expertly into the Limerick net as they wouldn’t trail from here.

It was a disappointing end to the year for Limerick who remain in Junior next year as Down bounce straight back to the top tier.

Caoimhe McGrath justified her inclusion from the start early on with a brilliant score off her right that levelled up after a Natasha Ferris free.

The next two scores came from the Fr Casey’s star as she moved Limerick 0-3 to 0-1 in front after ten minutes.

Ferris replied in kind to level up after 18. Limerick then had a pair of goal chances of abegging, firstly Roisin Ambrose saw her shot hit the side netting. Then McGrath then shot across the face of goal and just wide.

However, she did put Limerick back in front with her fourth. But Down had the final scores of the half to take a slender lead into the break, Ferris and Aimee Higgins putting them 0-5 to 0-4 in front.

Deborah Murphy had things level immediately after the restart with a fine effort. Her club mate Karen O’Leary then got off the mark to give Limerick a first lead since the 10th minute.

Down drew level through Higgins, but it could have been worse after Laois Duffy’s effort bounced off the upright and into the path of her teammate but strong Limerick defence restricted her to a point.

The next score didn’t come for five minutes but it was a crucial one as Down substitute Oola Swail slalomed through the defence before firing a rifle low and hard and into the corner of the Limerick net.

Limerick hit back through Iris Kenneally who was introduced from the bench with twenty to play. The Shannonsiders then lost the influential O’Leary to a yellow with the clock ticking into the 54th minute.

Ferris had her first of the half shortly after to put the goal back between the teams. With Down dropping deep, Meadhbh McNamara got on the scoresheet with a minute of normal time to play.

But it wasn’t enough with Down holding out for the win.

Scorers for Limerick: Caoimhe McGrath 0-4 (3f), Iris Kenneally, Deborah Murphy, Karen O’Leary, Meadhbh McNamara 0-1.

Scorers for Down: Natasha Ferris 0-5 (2f), Orla Swail 1-0, Aimee Higgins 0-2.

Limerick: Carol Bateman; Alva Quaid, Yvonne Lee, Meadhbh McNamara; Grace Lee, Laura Walshe, Lauren Ryan; Roisin Ambrose, Fiona Bradshaw; Deborah Murphy, Karen O’Leary, Cathy Mee; Leah Coughlan, Amy Ryan, Caoimhe McGrath.

Subs Used: Katie Heelan for Bradshaw (32), Iris Kenneally for Ryan (39), Andrea O’Sullivan for McGrath (50).

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