Louth Ladies go down fighting in All Ireland Quarter Final

Louth V Laois – All Ireland Intermediate Championship Quarter Finals – Kinnegad 8/8/2021

Today the Louth Ladies travelled to Kinnegad to face Laois for a place in the All Ireland Intermediate Championship Semi Final.  Laois having won Division 3 in the National Football League were favourites however the Louth Ladies put it up to them right to the final whistle.
Lauren Boyle shoots for a point
Louth started very strongly with a goal and a point from the Cooley sharp shooter Lauren Boyle in the first five minutes.  Laois responded with 2 points and their first goal just before the water break.
Score at 1st Water break  Laois 1 – 2   Louth 1 – 1
Spectacular fielding from Eimear Byrne
When play resumed Laois and Louth traded points , Louth point scored by Eimear Byrne. But Laois then scored 3 unanswered points to build a solid lead.  Louth were reduced to 14 players for 10 minutes after Lauren Boyle received a yellow card.  Kate Flood scored a point just before half time to keep Louth within touching distance.
Score at Half Time  Laois 1- 6 to Louths 1 – 3
Kate Flood heads for goal
Louth Ladies came out fighting for the second half and had the sides level within 5 minutes with a great goal scored by Kate Flood.  With the defense holding strong Louth took the lead with a well worked point from Lauren Boyle.  Laois then had a period of dominance when Louth found it hard to get out of their own half scoring 2 – 2 unanswered. Score at the second water break Laois 3 – 8 to Louths 2 – 4.
Michella McMahon reaches high
Play resumed after the last water break and the Louth Ladies put in a strong effort narrowing the deficit and a disallowed  Kate Flood goal  would have brought them within 3 points. However it was not to be and it was Laois who progressed to the All Ireland  Intermediate Championship Semi Final.
Final Score   Laois  3 – 9  to Louth 2 – 6.
Determination from Ceire Nolan
A great performance from the Louth Ladies today rounded off what was significant progress achieved in 2021 winning the National Football League Division 4 and consolidating their position at Intermediate Championship Level. Full credit to the entire panel who showed total commitment throughout the season and to Wayne Freeman and his management team for their guidance and motivation. 
Report by Martina Nolan, PRO Louth Ladies
I have been proud to act as PRO for such a great bunch of girls who have provided such sporting entertainment to us all.
Photos by Warren Matthews