Leitrim back to winning ways after stiff test from Limerick

Leitrim got their Lidl LGFA Division 4 campaign back on track with a hard fought win against a stubborn Limerick side who threatened at times to cause Jonny Garrity’s side serious problems in Pairc Sheain Ui Eslin.

After suffering a first defeat in the campaign against Fermanagh just a week before, Leitrim needed a win against a Limerick side hoping to boost their own semi-final hopes, the Treaty women lying just a point behind the Green & Gold in the table.

The teams had drawn in the group stages of the League last year but an early goal from Laura O’Dowd put Leitrim in command here and despite a small wobble in the second half when Limerick cut a five point halftime lead down to the bare minimum

That Limerick surge prompted manager Jonny Garrity to send for the big guns as captain Michelle Guckian and January Player of the Month Leah Fox both entered the fray, the Glencar Manorhamilton woman eventually landing 1-2 to turn the contest back Leitrim’s way.

With games against Carlow and Longford to come over the next two weekends, Leitrim are almost guaranteed a place in the semi-finals barring an incredible series of results. They sit second on 12 points, one behind Fermanagh and one ahead of Carlow but crucially four clear of Longford and Limerick.

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Leitrim’s game against Carlow next Sunday, February 25, will have a 12.30 pm throw-in at the SETU Campus in Carlow town.

Limerick were first off the mark in Ballinamore with Iris Kennelly pointing a free from outside the ‘D’ but Leitrim responded fiercely by hitting an unanswered 1-2 to take control of the contest, a control they never truly relinquished. 

Laura O’Dowd, sister of Dublin All-Ireland winner Eilish, hit the home team’s first point quickly followed by a point from Ailbhe Clancy.

O’Dowd then pounced for Leitrim’s first goal and despite a fisted point from Ellie Woulfe after 16 minutes, Leitrim were soon pulling further away with points from Clancy (free) and Vivienne Egan.

Limerick keeper Carol Bateman made a good save from Vivienne Egan to deny Leitrim a goal while the home side missed a few other good chances with Clancy adding a point from a free before the break. 

Limerick would have just one more score in the first half, Karen O’Leary firing over but they would rue a couple of missed chances, including a free coming back off the crossbar and a shot into the keeper’s hand as the home side held a commanding 1-5 to 0-3 halftime lead.

Leitrim sub Leah Fox in action against Limerick Picture: Stefan Hoare

Limerick came out a much more focused side in the second half and reeled off three unanswered points to suddenly leave two points between the teams. Kennelly, O’Leary and Cathy Mee were all on target inside the first six minutes, prompting Leitrim to call for the calvary in the form of Michelle Guckian and Leah Fox.

Another Limerick point cut the gap to a point but Leitrim were beginning to find their form again with Bateman denying Clancy a goal after a good pass in from Fox. Fox, named last week as the LGFA Player of the month for January, hit back with a point.

That seemed to steady Leitrim and Laura O’Dowd and Ailbhe Clancy both hit the target to leave four points between the teams. Guckian, who had to depart the Fermanagh game with injury, popped over a free but Limerick refused to go quietly, scoring a goal that left just two points between the teams in the final ten minutes.

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However, Leitrim’s strength was illustrated once more when Leah Fox hit 1-1 and her Glencar Manorhamilton clubmate Ailbhe Clancy added another point for good measure in added time.

LEITRIM

Scorers: Leah Fox & Laura O’Dowd 1-2 each; Ailbhe Clancy 0-5; Michelle Guckian & Vivienne Egan 0-1 each

Team: Michelle Monaghan, Elise Bruen, Charlene Tyrell, Clare Owens, Eimear Quigley, Kasey Bruen, Orla Flynn, Niamh Tighe, Megan McGovern, Vivienne Egan, Laura O’Dowd, Aine Redican, Ailbhe Clancy, Brigid O’Reilly, Bronagh O’Rourke. Subs: Sarah Reynolds & Eimear McHugh for Flynn & Quigley; Michelle Guckian for O’Reilly; Leah Fox for O’Rourke; Siomha Quinn for Redican; Lauryn McKeon for Egan

LIMERICK

Team: Team: Carol Bateman, Meadhbh McNamara, Joanne McGuire, Fiona Bradshaw, Deborah Murphy, Yvonne Lee, Grace Lee, Roisin Ambrose, Lauren Ryan, Ellie Woulfe, Cathy Mee, Karen O’Leary, Iris Kennelly, Caoimhe McGrath, Leah Coughlan. Subs: Kate Kennedy for Woulfe; Grace Mullane for Kennelly

Referee: Anthony Campbell (Donegal)