Lidl National LGFA League Division 4 – Semi final
Antrim 3-16 Limerick 1-12
A dominant Antrim display sealed a place in the Lidl National League Final in three weeks time for Emma Kelly’s team after an 11-point victory over Limerick at Whitehall Comcille in Dublin today.
Limerick got off to the brighter start with two points from frees in front of the goal courtesy of of Laoise Browne but that was the last time they would hold the lead as Orlaith Prenter ran the Shannonsiders ragged.
With the wind at their backs, Prenter and Áine Tubridy quickly cancelled out the Limerick lead while the Moneyglass forward quickly added a goal to put Antrim firmly in the driving seat.
Antrim would add four further points before Limerick’s Karen O’Leary raised the white flag for the Treaty but Theresa Mellon’s goal on the stroke of half time sent the Ulster girls in leading 2-12 to 0-5 at the break.
Mellon added a point to her tally at the start of the second period but Antrim didn’t have it all their own way. Limerick hit the next four scores and with Cathy Mee slotting past Anna McCann it looked like the Treaty might be staging a comeback.
With Antrim penned in for what seemed like an age, Kelly introduced Gráinne McLaughlin and Maeve Mulholland on 45 minutes. Limerick shaved the difference to 7 points at one stage but when McLaughlin raised Antrim’s third green flag of the day the tie was over. Final score Antrim 3-16 Limerick 1-12.
Antrim will now face Leitrim at Parnell Park on 16th April in the league title and promotion decider.
ANTRIM: Anna McCann; Duana Coleman, Emma Ferran, Niamh McIntosh; Orla Corr, Ciara Brown, Sarah O’Neill; Ana Mulholland, Aine Tubridy; Theresa Mellon (1-2), Cathy Carey, Lara Dahunsi (0-1); Bronagh Devlin, Orlaith Prenter (1-10), Maria O’Neill (0-1).
SUBS: Grainne McLaughlin (1-0) for Devlin (45 mins), Maeve Mulholland for S O’Neill (45 mins), Caitlin Taggart for Mellon (57 mins), Aine Devlin for M O’Neill (57 mins).
LIMERICK: Sophie Hennessy; Fiona Bradshaw, Yvonne Lee, Meadbh McNamara; Deborah Murphy (0-3), Leah Coughlan, Grace Lee; Roisin Ambrose (0-1), Clare O’Meara; Katie Heelan, Cathy Mee (1-1), Lauren Ryan; Laoise Browne (0-5), Iris Kenneally, Karen O’Leary (0-1).
