London calling as Limerick set up ladies All Ireland semi with emphatic win

Limerick’s ladies football side required a two point winning margin to progress from their group but in the end they would record an emphatic 22-point win over Carlow in Askeaton on Saturday afternoon on a 6-10 to 1-3 scoreline.

The win sees John Ryan’s side through to an All Ireland Junior semi final against London on August 26th with a neutral venue yet to be confirmed.

Carlow started well with a point in the fifth minute but that was quickly cancelled out in the next attack as Máiread Kavanagh linked up with Rebecca Delee beat the Carlow keeper.

Limerick Ladies Footballers

The Leinster side got their second score of the game in the 8th minute. It would be their final score of a difficult first half.

Limerick took full control in the 16th minute with a Cliona Ni Cheallaigh shot raising another green flag. This was quickly followed by points from Davis, Delee and Kavanagh as Limerick took a 2-4 to 0-2 half time lead.

The visitors were quick out of the blocks after the restart with a goal in their first attack of the half to cut the gap to five. Stung by the Carlow goal, Limerick rallied with a Davis goal coupled with points from Delee and Kavanagh to build a comfortable 10 lead.

With eight minutes remaining substitutes Dymphna O’Brien and Katie Heelan were introduced and combined immediately to see O’Brien score Limerick’s fourth goal of the afternoon.

The home side were now in cruise control with Delee adding a fifth goal. Substitutes Clodagh McGrath and Jenni O’Malley came on with five minutes remaining and looking to force their way into John Ryan’s selection reckonings for the semi final.

Limerick kept their foot on the throttle with Niamh Ryan adding a point while Dymphna O’Brien was able to squeeze a goal and two more points out of the remaining injury time as the game drew to a close. It was superb response from the loss to Derry and the side will now look forward to London with renewed confidence.