Ladies footballers kick off League campaign with win in repeat of All Ireland final

The Limerick ladies footballers once again got the upper hand over Louth to win their opening game of the National League 1-9 to 0-11 in Askeaton yesterday.

They were made to work for their victory with a late brace of frees from Catriona Davis securing the result.

Despite the aid of a breeze in the opening half, Limerick only registered one point from play, courtesy of Rebecca Delee with Davis’s four frees in the opening half keeping Limerick within touching distance at half time trailing marginally 0-6 to 0-5.

Louth opened the scoring in the first half before Delee responded with the only goal of the game in the 37th minute to give the hosts a 1-5 to 0-7 lead.

Lauren Boyle and Davis exchanged a brace of scores each as Limerick maintained their narrow advantage.

Louth kicked back to back scores to take the lead deep into added time.

However there was time for drama as Davis levelled proceedings in the ninth minute of additional time.

She would prove to be the hero with her eight point of the game sealing the win in the 10th minute of injury time.

LIMERICK: 

Marie Lyons; Kristine Reidy, Sarah O’Sullivan, Ava Hartigan; Megan O’Shea, Katie Heelan, Cathy Mee (capt.); Loretta Hanley; Caroline Hickey; Cliodhna Ni Cheallaigh, Rebecca Delee (1-1), Roisin Ambrose, Olivia Giltenane, Caitriona Davis (0-8), Mairead Kavanagh. 

Subs: Andrea O’Sullivan for Cliodhna Ni Cheallaigh (46mins), Kristy Carroll for Mairead Kavanagh (52mins)