Limerick ladies secure All Ireland final place after victory over London

The Limerick ladies footballers have guaranteed that Limerick will once more be travelling to Croke Park for an All Ireland final after they defeated London 3-15 to 2-14 in the All-Ireland Junior Semi-Final in Mallow yesterday. Limerick will now look for promotion back to the Intermediate grade with a title they last won in 2010.

London started much the brighter in Mallow and opened up a three point lead within the opening ten minutes. Limerick responded with a couple of scores but were caught for a goal in the 15th minute with Avril Kilkelly goaling for London to put them four points ahead.

Limerick battled strong for the remainder of the half and were rewarded on twenty-six minutes with Rebecca Delee netting her sides first goal to reduce the deficit to a solitary point. London would maintain this slender advantage heading into the break with the scores at 1-8 to 1-7.

TG4 Ladies Football All-Ireland Junior Championship semi-final
Limerick 1-7 London 1-8 (HT)#properfan @LadiesFootball pic.twitter.com/zqihlOcJ4z

— Matt O'Callaghan (@MattOCall) August 26, 2018

The sides exchanged scores after the break before Limerick finally drew level in the 40th minute, courtesy of a Katie Heelan point. Shortly after, Dymphna O’Brien, who was part of the 2010 team, was introduced to immediate effect. When Mairead Kavanagh was fouled in the penalty area, O’Brien made no mistake from the spot to push her side ahead.

She would contribute a total of 1-3 during her cameo as Limerick gained control of the game down the home stretch. O’Brien’s points coupled with Heelan’s second gave Limerick a 2-14 t0 1-12 lead with five minutes remaining. In injury time, Delee secured the win with her second goal with the game finishing 3-15 to 1-14.

Limerick now go on to face Louth in the All Ireland final. These sides met in the final in 2010 with Limerick coming out on top.