Lambe Fagan save secures Leinster semi-final for Louth Ladies

Leinster Ladies Intermediate Championship Group B Round 3

Westmeath 3-17 Louth 1-11

Louth goalkeeper Rebecca Lambe Fagan showed her worth once again as Louth were defeated heavily by 12 points to an impressive Westmeath outfit.

Lambe Fagan's gloves stung in the closing seconds as she denied Anna Jones her second goal. Had it gone in, Louth would have missed out on a semi-final place.

One point on score difference was enough to see Kit Henry’s side into the semi-final of the Leinster intermediate championship. Those are the margins.

Before the calculators came out on Saturday night in Ballinlough, Louth were outplayed all over the field. Westmeath swooped for three first half goals which laid the platform for a comprehensive win in this third-round match.

Aoife Connolly and Jones pounced for quick-fire goals in the tenth minute, before midfielder Vicky Carr fisted home her side’s third major in the 28th minute.

Westmeath were leading by 3-6 to 0-6 at the interval and it was clear at that stage that they were well in control against a physically strong Louth outfit.

While Louth reduced the deficit to six points with their only goal of the match in the 40th minute, it was as close as they got: Westmeath went on to add 0-8 to their tally and secure victory in resounding fashion.

Louth rang in the changes at the interval to kick start a revival that never truly came. Classy Lake County corner forward Aoife Dolan became only the third ladies footballer to score a 45’ (since the rule change was introduced) for which she earned two points. The gap went out to 12 points.

Louth did respond and knuckle down to their credit. Newtown Blues forward Laura Collins took a speculative effort that came off the upright and one of half time changes Lauren Boyle showed her poacher’s instincts and pounced for the Wee County's only goal.

Player of the match Connolly would continue to punish Louth and her ability to bring others into the game also bore dividends. She landed the game’s final score after Niamh Rice slotted over what proved a vital consolation point.

There was still time for drama and up stepped Lambe Fagan to push Louth into the final four this Sunday against Kildare in Hawkfield.

WESTMEATH: Lauren McCormack;, Katie Dunne, Lucy Power, Aesha Roche; Kelly Boyce Jordan, Tracey Dillon, Chloe Kelly; Vicky Carr (1-0), Johanna Quinn (0-2); Ashley Ruane, Ciara Blundell (0-2), Rachel Dillon; Caoimhe Clarke McMahon, Aoife Connolly (1-9), Anna Jones (1-1). SUBS: Laura Kiernan (0-1), Mairead Newman, Annie Dolan (0-1), Karen Hegarty, Aoife O’Malley.

LOUTH: Rebecca Lambe Fagan; Eimear Murray, Dearbhla O’Connor, Eilish Hand; Seoda Matthews, Shannen McLaughlin, Mia Duffy; Áine Breen, (0-2) Aoife Halligan; Laura Collins (0-3, 0-2 frees), Niamh Rice (0-4, 0-2 frees), Rachel Berth; Aoife Russell, Kate Flood (0-2), Ceire Nolan. Subs: Holly Lambe Scally for Berth (22), Lauren Boyle (1-0) for Duffy (HT), Katie Doheny for O’Connor (HT), Abi Keenan for Nolan (50), Ciara Woods for Russell (50), Roisín Maguire for Collins (56).

REF: Sinéad McHugh (Dublin).