Louth Ladies will meet Wicklow in an Easter Sunday showdown to determine who will take top spot in Division Four of the Lidl Ladies National Football League ahead of the semi-finals.
Micheál McKeown’s side registered their fifth win in six games against Antrim in Rathmore on Sunday and will be hoping to knock unbeaten Wicklow off their perch when the sides meet this weekend.
The Wee County were already guaranteed a place in the last four before the clash with the Saffrons but they are now intent on taking pole position which guarantees a home semi-final against the side that finishes fourth in the division on the weekend of April 22nd.
A dour contest, not helped by the home side’s blanket defence, never really got going but Louth never gave up a lead that was given to them by midfielder Sinead Woods after 14 minutes.
Prior to that, Kellie Hughes, Rebecca Carr and Emma McArdle all hit wides while Susan Byrne saw an effort come back off the woodwork. Antrim also hit the upright through Aine Devlin but they drew level in the 18th minute when Eimear Gallagher converted a free.
Devlin put the hosts in front but Louth dominated the remainder of the half with Michelle McArdle denied by the post and Bronagh McGrane and Emma Singleton going close before a quickfire brace from Kate Flood put the Wee County in front at the break, 0–3 to 0–2.
Eimear Gallagher levelled matters early in the second-half but Flood added another brace to her tally, one from play and the other from a free to keep Louth ticking over on the scoreboard.
Gallagher grabbed her third of the afternoon for Armagh before Rebecca Carr and captain Flood put the visitors 0–7 to 0–4 ahead but Antrim set up a tense finish with two late frees before Susan Byrne put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time.
LOUTH LADIES: Una Pearson; Eilis Hand, Rachel Kane, Shannen McLaughlin; Emma Singleton, Deirbhile Osborne, Ceire Nolan; Sinead Woods (0–1), Rebecca Carr (0–1); Michelle McArdle, Susan Byrne (0–1), Bronagh McGrane; Kellie Hughes, Kate Flood (0–5, 2f), Emma McArdle. Subs: Roisin Kavanagh for K Hughes, 13 mins; Ruth Hanna for E McArdle, 37 mins; Leanne Sharkey for R Kavanagh, 37 mins; Eimear Murray for E Hand, 43 mins.
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