LIMERICK ladies have booked their spot in the semi-final of the TG4 Junior All-Ireland Football Championship after a 6-15 to 0-6 victory over Kilkenny in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale this Sunday afternoon.
The Treaty ladies finished second in group B of the Championship and will now face Fermanagh on Sunday, July 14. The home side were on top of Kilkenny from the very start of the game showing a confident attacking display throughout.
Limerick’s extremely quick passing and attacking threats opened up Kilkenny’s defence weakness from the very beginning of the game with Deborah Murphy adding the first point to the score board within the opening minute of play.
The visitors struggled with Limerick’s press on their kick-outs with a number of them falling into the Treaty women’s hands early on leading to quick points from Róisín Ambrose and Murphy again.
Kilkenny looked shell shocked at how quickly Limerick were able to attack with Deborah baring down on goals and getting Limerick’s first goal of the game after only three minutes putting them 1-3 to 0-0 ahead.
The game went into a lull at this stage as Kilkenny attempted to attack but seemed to lack numbers in their half forward line with only one of their forwards in front of the Limerick goals on many of their attacks.
Limerick’s defence remained solid as they emerged with the ball and turned the play into attack very quickly, holding on to the vital possession as they moved up the field to feed a cutting Cathy Mee for their second goal of the afternoon after 10 minutes.
The home side remained dominant in the opening-half as Kilkenny registered their first point through a Kate Purcell free after 20 minutes. This was followed by a similar effort from Purcell a few minutes later to give them their only points of the first-half.
Grace Lee seemed to be all over the pitch for Limerick as she placed a beautiful ball inside to Karen O’Leary, who made no mistake with the shot leaving Limerick ahead at the half-time break 3-6 to 0-2.
The attack didn’t stop for Limerick after the break with back-to-back goals from Kate Kennedy and Róisín Ambrose to really seal the game for the early on in the second-half.
Despite deploying subs Kilkenny struggled to keep up with Limerick’s pace as they cut through the defence gaining scores from Caoimhe McGrath and another goal from Grace Mullane.
The dominance continued throughout the second-half with brief moments of relief for the visiting team through Kate Purcell’s frees.
Limerick’s subs made their presence known as Michaela Cumes and Aine Cleary both added points to the scoere board to give Limerick the resounding 6-15 to 0-6 win over Kilkenny.
SCORERS LIMERICK: Deborah Murphy 1-3, Karen O’Leary 1-0, Cathy Mee 1-0, Róisín Ambrose 1-4, Kate Kennedy 1-1, Caoimhe McGrath 0-3 (0-2 frees), Grace Mullane 1-1, Michaela Cumes and Aine Cleary 0-1 each.
KILKENNY: Kate Purcell 0-6 (0-5 frees)
LIMERICK: Carol Bateman (Mungret St Paul’s), Sarah Dillon (Pallasgreen), Yvonne Lee (Monagea), Roisin Browne (Monagea), Grace Lee (Monagea), Leah Coughlan (Oola), Fiona Bradshaw (Oola), Róisín Ambrose (C) (Old Mill), Meadhbh MacNamara (St Ailbes), Karen O’Leary (Monagea), Deborah Murphy (Monagea), Cathy Mee (Ballylanders), Ellie Woulfe (Monagea), Kate Kennedy (St Ailbes), Caoimhe McGrath (Fr Casey’s)
SUBS: Grace Mullane (Monagea) for K O’Leary (Half-Time), Joanne McGuire (St Ailbes) for R Browne (Half-Time), Áine Cleary (Knockainey) for D Murphy (41 minutes), Michaela Cumes (Knockainey) for Y Lee (43 minute), Shauna Doellkan (Murroe Boher) for F Bradshaw (43 minutes)
KILKENNY: Ellie Moran, Aoibhe Ryan, Riona Crowley, Sarah Dunne, Hollie Brennan, Ailbhe Galwey, Amy Ring, Kelley Comerford, Ruby Roche, Kate Purcell, Sarah Corcoran, Jennifer O’Keeffe, Rachel Phelan, Ellen Lawlor (C), Rebecca Roche
SUBS: Saidhbh Mooney for J O’Keeffe (Half-Time), Niamh Ward for R Roche (42 minutes), Caitlinn Moore for S Corcoran (42 minutes), Leah Brett for S Dunne (53 minutes), Becky Lomax for R Phelan (58 mintues),
REFEREE: Conor McCarthy (Cork)