WATCH: Limerick Ladies claim All Ireland with 13 point win over Louth

Limerick set up with a defensive formation in the opening ten minutes with just 3 players operating the opposition half. While not scoring, the tactic limited Louth to just one point through a Kate Flood free.

As the half developed John Ryan’s side began to push more players forward attacking Louth through the middle of the park but some poor shooting meant it would take until 15 minutes in before a Catriona Davis free opened Limerick’s account. 

In a role reversal of the opening ten minutes Limerick were now the team pushing forward and but for some poor wides, should have been several points to the fore.

Limerick’s work did pay off in the 18th minute when Catriona Davis offloaded to Mairead Kavanagh whose goal bound shot was deflected by Louth corner back Michelle McMahon past the Una Pearson.

Kavanagh landed a well taken point in the next attack as Limerick took 1-02 to 0-1 lead. John Ryan’s side then took control when a Mairead Kavanagh run and pass put the ball into the path of the onrushing Rebecca Delee. 

The Feoghanagh Castlemahon centre forward rifled a shot high and to the roof of the net to give Limerick a seven point lead. Limerick then took total control of the game when a Catriona Davis free was lobbed into the Louth danger area. 

Mairead Kavanagh timed her run to perfection, arriving just as the ball dropped and palming past Pearson in the Louth goal to make the score Limerick 3-2 Louth 0-01 with 25 minutes gone. 

Both sides had chances to add to their tally before the interval but there would be change as Limerick took a commanding 10 point lead into the break. 

Limerick came out in the second half with one hand on the cup but it was Louth who took the initiative with Kate Flood knocking over three points (2 frees) inside the opening ten minutes of the half to reduce the arrears to 7. 

John Ryan’s side needed a response and the got it in spades. Firstly Cliona Ni Cheallaigh took three attempts to beat 4 Louth defenders and fire past Pearson to cancel out Louth’s three points. 

Rebecca Delee then put any hopes Louth had to bed with a scything run through the defence only to apply a clinical finish in off the left hand post to make it Limerick 5-02 Louth 0-4. 

Maired Kavanagh added a point when a goal was at her mercy to extend Limerick’s advantage to 14. 

Two Lauren Boyle frees for Louth were bookended by a well taken point from the newly introduced Dymphna O’Brien who John Ryan sprang from the bench.

Ryan would have envisaged having to bring O’Brien on in the last ten minutes with the game in the balance but her team mates had ensured the wining of the contest long before. 

A fine long range effort from Rebecca Delee  was cancelled out by a Boyle free as Limerick emptied the benches with the game long secured. 

Aoife Russell kicked Louth’s last score with two minutes remaining but it was Limerick who had the last say with another O’Brien point to make the final score Limerick 5-6 Louth 0-8 and a famous and deserved 13 point winning margin.