THE Limerick Ladies made a winning start to the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship when easing past Longford 1-12 to 0-8 in their Group B fixture played at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday afternoon.
Limerick gained the upperhand in the closing quarter of the contest which was played in good conditions. Home side Longford had led 0-8 to 0-6 in the 37th minute. However, the Shannonsiders made the most of two sin-binnings for Longford players, adding 1-3 without reply to move into a four point lead, 1-9 to 0-8.
Limerick’s slick movement was also a telling factor in their victory. Midfielder and captain Roisin Ambrose and half-forward Deborah Murphy were both outstanding.
Limerick, who were beaten All-Ireland Junior Finalists last year, and will want to get back to Croke Park later this year and the Shannonsiders were boosted earlier this month by victory over Cork in the Munster senior B decider, while they also gained promotion from Division 4 of the Lidl NFL.
Limerick trailed hosts Longford, who suffered relegation from the Intermediate championship last year, 0-5 to 0-7 at half-time on Sunday, following an enterprising 30 minutes.
The visitors had started the better and led by 0-3 to 0-1 midway through the first half.
Niamh Brady (free) replied for Longford, but a point from the lively Iris Kennelly gave Limerick a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage.
Scores from Grace Shannon, Kamille Burke and Niamh Brady (frees) had overturned a 0-4 to 0-3 deficit, giving the home side a 0-5 to 0-4 lead.
The Longford attack was guilty of being turned over on a number of occasions throughout the game.
A point from Katelyn McKeon in the 24th minute gave Longford a 0-6 to 0-5 lead, while a pointed free from Niamh Brady gave them their two-point lead at the break.
Points from Limerick’s Roisin Ambrose, who was controlling midfield, and Cathy Mee reduced the deficit to a single point, 0-8 to 0-7.
Longford’s Caoimhe McCormack was sent to the sin bin in the 44th minute and Caoimhe Lohan made the same journey shortly afterwards.
Limerick edged into the lead and they found the net in the 48th minute, as as Iris Kennelly crashed the ball home from close range, making it 1-9 to 0-8.
Longford created very few scoring chances in the remainder of the game, as Limerick stepped up a gear.
The excellent Deborah Murphy sent over a free to make it 1-10 to 0-8 in stoppage time.
A well worked move gave Limerick their last score, fittingly scored by Roisin Ambrose, who had a huge impact.
Longford did feel the loss of a number of absent players on the day
However, this was an excellent start for Limerick who continue their TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship campaign with a game against Louth on Sunday, June 16.
LONGFORD: Riane McGrath; Emma Farrell, Eimear O’Brien, Grace Kenny; Ciara Mulligan, Caoimhe McCormack (Captain), Orla Nevin; Funmi Talabi, Sian Gallagher; Joanne Whyte, Grace Shannon (0-3, 1 free), Katelyn McKeon (0-1); Anna Hayden, Niamh Brady (0-3, 3 frees), Kamille Burke (0-1). Subs: Caoimhe Lohan for A Hayden (half-time); Edel Sheehy for F Talabi (48 mins); Lauren McGuire for C Mulligan (53 mins), Ellie Lynn for J Whyte (58 mins).
LIMERICK: Sophie Hennessy; Joanne McGuire, Yvonne Lee, Roisin Browne; Grace Lee, Leah Coughlan, Grace Mullane; Roisin Ambrose (Capt), (0-3), Meadhbh MacNamara; Karen O’Leary, Deborah Murphy (0-4, 2 frees), Cathy Mee (0-2); Ellie Woulfe, Iris Kennelly (1-2), Caoimhe McGrath. Subs: Katie Heelan for C McGrath, Caoimhe McNamara for I Kennelly (both 52 mins); Kate Kennedy (0-1) for C Mee (injury time).
REFEREE: Marion Hayden (Carlow).
