Laois Ladies' Division 3 status hanging by a thread after defeat to Antrim

The Laois Ladies could yet find themselves playing in the fourth tier of the Lidl Ladies National Football League after suffering another defeat in this year’s Division 3 campaign.

Laois made the journey to Dunsilly to face an Antrim side pushing for promotion to Division 2, but they came away with a two-point defeat. It leaves them needing to beat table-toppers Louth next weekend to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Even then, they must also hope that Clare lose, otherwise Division 4 football awaits in 2027.

Stephen Duff’s side made a bright start and led by three points to no score, with Kelly O’Neill, Lauren Kearney and Katie Donoghue all on target. However, that lead was quickly wiped out when Bronagh Devlin struck for the game’s opening goal.

Antrim seized the momentum from there, with Maria O’Neill adding a second goal, while Theresa Mellon also chipped in with a point. Laois responded well, with Donoghue adding three more points and captain Andrea Moran also getting on the scoresheet to leave the sides level at the break, Laois 0-7 to Antrim’s 2-1.

The second half began evenly, with Cliodhna Logan and Fiona Dooley exchanging points before scores from Maria O’Neill and Devlin edged Antrim two clear. Laois again responded, as Donoghue (two) and Emily Lacey (free) helped them regain the lead.

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Antrim, however, finished the stronger, hitting three unanswered points through Aoibheann Monaghan, Lara Dahunsi and O’Neill to move back in front. The home side were also shown two yellow cards in the second half, but Laois were unable to fully capitalise on the numerical advantage.

Laois pushed for a late response, but with Lacey and O’Neill trading the final scores, Antrim held on for a two-point win.

The result leaves Laois in a precarious position heading into the final round. They must defeat Louth and hope results elsewhere go their way, with anything less confirming their relegation.

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FINAL SCORE

Antrim 2-8

Laois 0-12

SCORERS- Laois: Katie Donoghue 0-6, Emily Lacey 0-2, Fiona Dooley, Lauren Kearney, Kelly O'Neill and Andrea Moran 0-1 each. Antrim: Maria O'Neill 1-3, Bronagh Devlin 1-1, Lara Dahunsi, Theresa Mellion, Aoibheann Monaghan and Cliodhna Logan 0-1 each.

LAOIS: Eimear Barry (Shanahoe); Sinead Farrelly (St Joseph’s), Faye McEvoy (Ballyroan), Mary Cotter (St Conleth's); Aoife Gorman (Timahoe), Aishling Saunders (Portlaoise), Andrea Moran (Ballyroan); Fiona Dooley (Portlaoise), Anna Healy (Park-Ratheniska); Shifra Havill (St Conleth's), Lauren Kearney (Sarsfields), Ciara Crowley (Portlaoise); Ellen O'Byrne (Park-Ratheniska), Katie Donoghue (Timahoe), Kelly O'Neill (Graiguecullen). Subs: Mia Branagan (Graiguecullen), Emily Lacey (St Joseph's).

ANTRIM: Aine Devlin; Hanna Donaghy, Maeve Blaney, Maeve Mulholland; Laura Agnew, Ciara Brown, Emma Louise McAreavey; Ana Mulholland, Aine Lynch; Theresa Mellon, Lara Dahunsi, Carla McKenna; Bronagh Devlin, Maria O'Neill, Dúana Coleman. Subs used: Aoibheann Monagha and Cliodhna Logan.

Referee: Ciara Gilroy (Down)