Lidl Division Four National Ladies Football League

Louth 4-11-2-03 Antrim

By Kevin Herron at Clooney Kickhams, Co. Louth

Antrim go into their final league encounter against Carlow in two-weeks time, knowing that they must prevail with all three-points or lose out on a semi-final spot after a crushing 4-11-2-03 defeat at the hands of Louth this afternoon.

Playing against a gale force breeze in the opening half hour the Saffrons were mere bystanders and watched on frustration as the hosts raced into a 2-09-0-00 lead at the break – thanks to goals from Susan Byrne and Niamh Rice.

Although Antrim found more joy with the elements; Louth showed a determination and a further goal from Rice and substitute Alannah McLoughlin.

Aoife Taggart responded on both occasions – but it proved in vein as Louth replaced Antrim in the top four ahead of a dramatic final day showdown which sees five sides battle it out for a semi-final spot.

Louth hit the front within the first two minutes thanks to a converted Niamh Rice free – in the aftermath Antrim goalkeeper Anna McCann’s kick-out was adjudged to be too short by match referee David Hurson.

Susan Byrne caught the Saffrons cold and quickly lofted the resulting free over McCann and into the Antrim net to give her side a 1-01-0-00 lead.

Eimear Byrne extended her sides lead with ten minutes on the clock as Antrim struggled to build attacks in the final third.

A double from Lauren Boyle had Louth 1-04 ahead by the midday point – the first an excellent angled effort and the second a converted free.

Niamh Rice brought her first-half tally from the placed ball to 0-03 with two further points and Sinead Woods made it eight scores without reply.

Antrim were already facing an uphill struggle and four minutes before the break that struggle became steeper.

Una Pearson’s kick-out was claimed by Niamh Rice in the midfield of the field and the confident full-forward burst forward at pace leaving the Antrim defence in her wake before firing low past Anna McCann and into the net to make it 2-07-0-00.

Rebecca Carr and Lauren Boyle added further points before the break as the Saffrons – who had only two first-half attempts; faced an almost impossible task in the second half hour.

Louth won possession from the throw-in at the beginning of the second period and patience was the name of the game as Rebecca Carr struck the opening point from a probing move forward.

It took Antrim 37 minutes to respond and it eventually came through a converted Caitlin Taggart free.

The visitors were seeing much more of the ball in the attacking third – ultimately it came to nothing though and Louth remained a threat on the break.

Just after the midway point in the second-half referee David Hurson signalled for a Louth penalty after a trip in the area.

Niamh Rice claimed responsibility and despite Anna McCann guessing correctly, Rice found the net to make it 3-10-0-01.

Sinead Woods added her second point of the afternoon in the aftermath, it would prove to be her sides last of the game.

With little under ten minutes remaining Antrim finally breached the Louth backline as Aoife Taggart rifled past Pearson to grab a consolation goal and make it 3-11-1-01.

Louth hit back two minutes from time as an untidy scramble in the area was eventually scrambled to the net by substitute Alannah McLoughlin.

Aoife Taggart responded instantly with her second goal of the afternoon and points from Aine Tubridy and a Cathy Carey (free) ensured the Saffrons would restore a little pride.

In the end Louth ran out convincing winners to climb above Antrim into the top four – the wee county take on Derry at home in their final game, whilst Antrim must overcome Carlos if they are to also jump into the top four.

Louth: U Pearson, S McLoughlin, S Quinn, E Hand, C Nolan, M McMahon, S Woods (0-02), E Murray, E Byrne (0-01), R Carr (0-02), S Byrne (1-00), D Osborne, A Russell, N Rice (2-03, 1-03f), L Boyle (0-03, 0-01f). Subs: A McLoughlin (1-00).

Antrim: A McCann, O Corr, E Kelly, C Stewart, N Killen, K Farren, C Brown, S Tennyson, C Carey (0-01f), A Tubridy, S-L McLaughlin, N Enright, A Taggart (2-00), M McCurdy, C Taggart (0-01f). L Dahunsi for E Kelly, A Carson for K Farren, R Hemsworth for C Stewart, A McBride for S-L McLaughlin.

Referee: David Hurson