GAA | Louth Ladies League Round-Up

Division One Round-Up

Stabannon Ladies dig deep to deny the Geraldines

Last year’s Senior Championship finalists, Geraldines and Stabannon, played out an entertaining 2–10 to 2–10 draw in Haggardstown on Sunday morning

Stabannon took an early two-point lead before Geraldines took control when Rebecca Carr hit a fine shot to the net from an acute angle after five minutes.

It got even better for the home side just two minutes later when Bonnie Fleming cracked a fine shot to the net after good work by Carr and Roisin Hanlon.

Two further points by the influential Carr left the home side well placed as they led 2–4 to 0–2 after 18 minutes but Stabannon reduced the deficit with three scores of their own with points from Danielle Sharkey, Rachel McNally and ex Naomh Mairtin star Maeve O’Hare.

The Gers came back strongly with points from Vikki Pendergast and the rampaging Rebecca Carr to lead 2–6 to 0–5 at the break.

Stabannon started the second half in much better fashion and hit three points through Kim Lynch (0–2) and Siobhain Giggins, but the Haggardstown side were soon back in the driving seat with three points of their own from Carr (0–2) — that took her tally to 1–5 — and Lorna Moriarity to see them move 2–9 to 0–8 ahead after 40 minutes.

The game was then turned on its head as Stabannon showed why they are champions with Rachel McNally hitting two fine goals in less than a minute to cut the Gers lead to a solitary point.

The home side did get the next score but late scores from Grace Lynch and two goal hero McNally gave Stabannon a share of the spoils.

Cooley win big in Drogheda

In the other Division One matches, Cooley had a big 5–14 to 3–11 win over Newtown Blues in Drogheda. Lauren Boyle hit 1–9, Coirin Rice 2–1, Ava O’Shaughnessy and Rita McShane 1–1 each and Evelyn Rice and Siobhan McDonald a point apiece in an excellent Cooly display.

Brides looking good

In Knockbridge, St Brides, managed by Micheal Heaney, had an impressive 4–7 to 0–7 win over St Fechin’s. County star Aimee McNally hit three goals in the first half for the hosts but the game game was marred by a serious leg injury sustained by ex-Louth star Edel McKeown in the first half. Everybody involved in the sport wishes the Brides defender a speedy recovery.

Byrne snatches a point for Mochtas

Elsewhere, a late free from Aoife Byrne denied Roche/Na Piarsaigh a win against St Mochtas in Roche. The home side led at the break by 1–6 to 1–3 and looked set for victory as they led by four late on but a strong finish by the Louth Village side, culminating in Byrne’s late equaliser, gave them a deserved draw

Division Two Round-Up

Killhill get off to a very promising start

In Division Two, Kilkerley/Dowdallshill beat Geraldines B in Haggardstown on Friday night.

‘Killhill’ started brightly with a well taken goal from Emily Norton after some good work from Claire Lennon and they added more scores through Emma Singleton and Rachel McNally before the Geraldines got a goal of their own after a long high ball dropped just below the crossbar.

Leah Hoey then scored a point for the amalgamated side to ease the pressure before half time, leaving it all square at 1–3 apiece at the break.

The visitors started the second half in unstoppable form with some ferocious tackling at the back and fast paced attacks at the other end. Louth Ladies vice captain Sinead Woods opened the scoring with a well taken point which was followed up by another point from Leah Hoey.

A brilliant team goal followed when Emily Norton played a pinpoint pass into Rachel McNally who finished well for her first goal of the game. Singleton added another from the penalty spot before Killhill then scored three unanswered points in quick succession through Jade McKeown, Emma Singleton and Emily Norton.

The Geraldines responded well with Lauren McFaul splitting the defence and netting after a strong run from midfield but this was cancelled out by another well taken Rachel McNally goal.

A point, followed by a goal from the penalty spot, suggested that the game was swinging in the Haggardstown side’s favour but Killhill saw it out with two points from Jade McKeown and Leah Hoey securing a 4–10 to 3–5 win.

A special mention must go to the Killhill goalkeeper, defence and midfield who constantly put the opposition under pressure in what was a great all round team performance for a newly amalgamated side who are building week on week.

St Kevin’s win while St Pat’s look impressive

St Kevin’s had a big win over Dreadnots while St Pats/Cuchulainn Gaels beat Naomh Mairtin/Glen Emmets on a 5–13 to 4–1 scoreline.

Meg Woods led the way for St Patrick’s, hitting 2–2 with Tara Rogers and Catherine Rice helping themselves to 1–1 and Catherine O’Connor scoring 1–3.

The St Patrick’s team was: Lauren Caldwell, Melissa O’Hanlon, Caoimhe Breen, Nadine Callan, Anna Whyte, Claire Savage, Mary Loughran, Aine Breen (0–2), Niamh Butterly (0–1), Tara Rogers (1–1), Meg Woods (2–2), Chloe Barry, Aisling O’Doherty (0–1), Ellen Barry, Catherine O’Connor (1–3). Subs: Kate Flood (0–2), Catherine Rice (1–1, 1f), Grace Treanor, Katie Cumiskey.

Upcoming Fixtures

Friday, April 14th — 7pm

Louth Ladies League Division One

St Fechins v Geraldines

Sunday, April 16th — 11am

Louth Ladies League Division One

St Brides v Stabannon
Roche/Na Piarsaigh v Newtown Blues

Louth Ladies League Division Two

Naomh Mairtin/Glen Emmets v Dreadnots
Kilkerley/Dowdallshill v Glyde Rangers
St Pat’s/Cuchulainn Gaels v St Kevin’s
Geraldines B v Naomh Fionnbarra

Friday, April 21st — 7pm

Louth Ladies League Division One

St Mochtas v Cooley