Lidl Ladies NFL Division Three Round One
Roscommon 3-6 (3-0-6) Limerick 0-8 (0-0-8)
The Limerick ladies footballers began their league campaign with a seven-point loss away to Connacht opponents Roscommon.
It was the first opportunity for players to competitively play under the new rules from the men’s game, along with the long overdue introduction of allowing for contact in the tackle.
What was witnessed was a much quicker game, with players quick to make use of the solo-and-go. The improvements to the game may not have been reflected in the scoreline, but that can be blamed on early-season rustiness.
Limerick set up well in the first half and were able bring a draw into the dressing room at half-time, kicking the last four points of the half, but two quickfire second half goals undid a positive first half performance.
Niamh Feeney opened the account for the home side, but Laoise Browne swiftly cancelled her score out. Rachel Fitzmaurice scored the game’s first goal after ten minutes, with Aisling Hanly tagging on a point shortly afterwards to hand the Rossies a four-point lead.
The Treaty County’s full forward Tara Geoghan reeled the visitors back in with three points (two frees) in a row with captain Lauren Ryan kicking the equaliser as the sides ended the half tied at 1-2 to 0-5.
Hanly began the second half scoring in the 33rd minute, but Lucy O’Brien finished a fine run from centre-back with a point to once again level the scores.
A 30 second burst in the 47th minute is ultimately where Roscommon won the game. Caoimhe Lennon was first to the ball and she turned her marker, sold a dummy and sidestepped Carol Bateman in goals for an easy finish to the net.
Roscommon won the resulting kickout, with Rachel Fitzmaurice switching the play across to half-time substitute Lauren Shanagher, who finished low and hard to the net giving her side a six-point lead.
The Primrose and Blue never looked back from this position with Fitzmaurice adding a point to go with her first half goal before Geoghan kicked her fifth point of the game, with Hanly rounding off the game’s scoring.
Roscommon: H. Cummins; A. McGrath, N. O’Rourke, M. Macken; G. Lohan, E. Irwin, M. McKeon; A. Curran, R. Cox; N. Feeney, R. Fitzmaurice (1-1), N. Watson; A. Hanly (0-4), R. Lennon, C. Lennon (1-1).
Subs used: L. Shanagher (1-0) for R. Lennon (half-time), K. Nolan for Watson (50 mins), R. Brady for O’Rourke (56 mins), C. Cunningham for C. Lennon (60 mins), G. Gerrity for N. Feeney (62 mins).
Limerick: C. Bateman; M. Stanley, C. Ryan, A. Dalton; M. McNamara, L. O’Brien (0-1), E. Crowe; O. Ryan, E. Hickey; C. McNamara (0-1), L. Ryan (0-1), K. Heelan; C. McGrath, T. Geoghan (0-5, four frees), L. Browne.
Subs used: A. Ryan for A. Dalton (37 mins), G. Leahy for C. McNamara (44 mins), A. O’Dea for K. Heelan (52 mins), L. Coughlan for Stanley (56 mins), S. Hickey for Browne (58 mins), C. Real for Heelan (58 mins).
Wides: Roscommon – 7; Limerick – 5.
Yellow cards: Roscommon – none; Limerick – none.
Red cards: Roscommon – none; Limerick – none.
Referee: C. Conway.