Derry ladies outclassed by Louth in Owenbeg

Louth 2-19  |  Derry 0-3

It was another disappointing day for Derry as they fell to their third defeat of the All-Ireland Junior Championship in Owenbeg on Sunday.

The home side were outplayed from start to finish of this one-sided encounter. Louth were more superior but Derry did not help their own cause with numerous unforced errors. They consistently carried the ball into tackles, got over turned far too easily and basic errors let them down on multiple occasions. The Wee County stars Kate Flood and Eimear Byrne contributed 2-10 of their final tally, former AFL star Flood could and should have had a further three goals to her name.

Derry showed glimpses of what they can offer particularly from Bláithín Donnelly when she ran at the Louth defence. Also impressing was Grace Brewster in defence, Kate Hargan and Annie NiLochlainn.

It must also be noted that these Derry players lined out on Wednesday evening for their clubs in the league and have done so weekly between the county games - little rest or break possibly playing a part in a number of players unavailable through injury with the likes of Orla McEvoy, Anna Martin and team captain Annie Crozier all unavailable.

The Oakleaf girls set their stall out from the start getting the bodies back into defence to try and frustrate and curtail the Louth girls. Despite little success with their own kick-outs it was working somewhat as Louth only led 0-4 to 0-1 after the opening quarter, a wonder free, which in the men’s game would have been a two pointer, from NiLochlainn with the home’s side point. At the other end, Thomasina Cassidy made two fine saves to deny the visitors.

While Derry were solid in defence, the transition from defence to attack was too slow. Aine McAlister operated a sole forward in the inside line and Louth were happy to leave it a one-on-one but despite great runs made by the Ballerin girl, her fellow players continuously carried possession into tackles instead of playing the ball into her.

Louth struggled to break down the Derry rearguard until the 26th minutes when a lapse left Eimear Byrne unmarked and she sided stepped Cassidy to roll the ball into the net. A second goal in injury time, this time from Flood has the contest all but over by the break as Louth opened up a 2-9 to 0-1 lead. Flood also wasting a glorious chance immediately after for her second major.

IN PICTURES: Louth overcome Derry ladies at Owenbeg

The home had the opening score of the half, six minutes after the resumption. It was a super move from defence to attack but unfortunately this was the only time they moved at pace.

Grace Brewster began the move before releasing Donnelly who used her pace to break through and set up Niamh Hannon to fire between the posts. With Donnelly again involved, Derry created a goal opportunity for McAlister but the Ballerin girl was going away from goal and never got the power behind her shot and the Louth ‘keeper got down to make the save.

Louth continued to reel off their points at the other end while Derry’s last score of the dame came from NiLochlainn with another monster effort. It was to be the last score but the final action came from Flood as she rattled the underside of the crossbar.

The Oakleaf county have recoded just two wins this season, Kilkenny in the league and London in the Ulster championship. It is Kilkenny who they will wrap up their campaign against when they travel to the Cats in their final game hoping to end the year on a positive note and victory. For Louth, the result confirmed they are safely into the semi-finals and can confirm top spot if they defeat fellow unbeaten side Sligo in their last game.

Derry scorers: A NiLochlainn 0-2 (1f), N Hannon 0-1

Louth scorers: K Food 1-6 (0-2f), E Byrne 1-4, C Woods 0-3, A Breen 0-2, S McLaughlin, L White, A Russell and Z Sweeney 0-1 each.

Derry: Thomasina Cassidy; Caoimhe Dillon, Grace Brewster, Joanne Corr; Anna Donnelly, Sarah Hargan, Bláithín Donnelly; Leah Brewster, Aoife Gormley; Niamh Hannon, Annie NiLochlainn, Kate Hargan; Aine McAllister, Meabh Boylan, Hannah McEldowney.

Subs: Isabelle O’Kane for Cassidy, Kate McCann for Boylan and Jemma Shivers for Gormley (all HT), Erin Dillon for McEldowney (43), Leah Casey for McAllister (53).

Louth: Rebecca Lambe Fagan; Rachel Beirth, Eilis Hand, Eimear Murray; Seoda Matthews, Shannen McLaughlin, Louise Byrne; Aine Breen, Aoife Halligan; Lucy White, Eimear Byrne, Aoife Russell; Holly Lamb Sally, Kate Flood, Ceire Nolan.

Subs: Zara Sweeney for Nolan (30+4), Ciara Woods for Lambe Sally (HT), Caoimhe Boyle for Murray (40), Mia Duffy for Matthews (47), Gemma McCrave for L Byrne (56)

Referee: Davis Hurson (Monaghan)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - For Derry, Grace Brewster, Bláithín Donnelly, Kate Hargan, Anni NiLochlainn and Niamh Hannon were the best on show. However it was Louth that had all the stars of the day. Both Kate Flood and Eimear Byrne were both the scoring machines. Byrne was more clinical and gets my vote for her 1-4, all from play. Flood finished with 1-6 but will probably have left Owenbeg disappointed with her return and particular the failure to put away the goal chances.

TURNING POINT - Derry were probably content with how they were still in the game just six adrift with half time approaching. However, once the opening goal arrived from Eimear Byrne on 26 minutes it really got away from them on the scoreboard. By the break they were 14 behind.

SCORE OF THE GAME - They did not have many but I picked Derry’s second point with Moneymore’s Niamh Hannon having the final say of a good move. Grace Brewster was at the start of the move but it was the run and work of Bláithín Donnelly that made the score. It was a move with pace and moving the ball at speed, something Derry did not do - only on this one occasion and it was a super score.