Lidl National Football League Div 4: Louth 4-14 Antrim 0-8
Louth Ladies got back to winning ways on Sunday in Clan na Gael in Dundalk, with the conditions being in total contrast to last weeks downpours and so was the quality of the football.
Louth brought great intensity to the game from the very start, with their first point from Denise McKenna after just 1 minute. Their quick play and fast passing made them very hard to manage and the speed at which the backline moved the ball was proving a problem for the Antrim team.
Within 10 minutes Louth had a tally of 4 points coming from Denise McKenna (1) Laura Collins (1) Niamh Rice (1) and Lauren Boyle (1) and a goal from Denise McKenna put Louth firmly in control.
After the first water break Louth continued to pressurise and when Laura Collins was brought down in the square a penalty was given which Laura converted to the corner of the net.
Antrim made their first substitution they replaced No 12 Theresa Mellon for No 29 Ellen Morgan. Further points from Rebecca Carr (1) and Lauren Boyle (2) and Louth finished the half 2-8 to Antrim 0-4.
While Antrim got the first point of the second half, the Louth backs provided a very strong platform for the Louth team to drive forward. Shortly after half time Niamh Rice scored a great goal after dodging and sidestepping the Antrim defence before delivering a fine score.
Louth increased their dominance and Rebecca Carr received a great pass from Rice and put the ball in the back of the net. Louth scored a further 6 points from Laura Collins (1) Lauren Boyle (3) Rebecca Carr (1) and 1 from Kate Flood who have been brought in to replace Denise McKenna.
After the second water break Louth led 4-9 to Antrim 0-7. Louth made several substitutions with Roisin Kavanagh coming on to replace Aoife Halligan , Seoda Matthews replaced Ailish Hand, Ceire Nolan was replaced by Holly Lambe Sally, Louise Byrne came on for Lauren Boyle and Laura Collins made way for Aisling O Doherty.
Antrim were reduced to 14 players when substitute Ellen Morgan received a yellow card and Louth closed out the match strongly. Louth now move on to the last match in the Round Robin series against Derry next Sunday with home advantage and a win will guarantee their place in the semi final.
Report by Martina Nolan | Photos by Warren Matthews
