Laois 8:10 Louth 2:7

By Dermot Woods

Laois secured a comfortable victory over Louth in the Leinster B Championship advancing to the semi finals with a comprehensive win at Ballybaille on Sunday last 

The match began with Laois dominating possession, but Louth had the early chances. Sophie Everitt had a shot kept out by Abi Swift, only for Everitt to win the ball back and score a brilliant goal from 20 metres after three minutes 

Laois responded with a Mia Branagan free, but Louth added a second goal again an expert  finish from Wolfe Tones star Everit  set up by Maggie Holland.

However Laois fortunes changed dramatically with a 14 minute spell yielding 3:4.

Niamh Dundon and Lara Culleton scored goals and the Laois midfield dominance led to further points from Cawley and Culleton 

Culleton added a further goal as Laois took control of the match. Louth struggled to create opportunities with Maggie Holland’s point providing temporary respite. Laois notched a further 2:2 before the break leaving them 5:6 to 2:2 ahead 

In the second half Louth resumed in determined fashion and were rewarded with with early scores from Zara Sweeney, Sophie Everitt and Grace Keenan, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Mia Branagan scored her side’s seventh goal after 38 minutes 

Despite creating a number of goal chances, including a superb  move which ended with Zara Sweeney’s vicious shot striking both the cross bar and a post, Louth couldn’t mount a successful comeback 

Overall it was a hugely impressive performance from Laois who were strong in defence, dominate at midfield and clinical up front. The win secures Laois a place in the last four while Louth will regroup for the C Championship 

Scorer’s, Laois: Mia Branagan 4:1, Niamh Dundon 2:2, Lara Culleton 1:1, Laoise Dune 1:00, Aisling Cawley 0:2, Kayla O’Mara 0:2, Anna Mulligan and Poppy Duff 0:1 each 

Louth: Sophie Everitt 2:1, Zara Sweeney 0:2, Grace Keenan, Maggie Holland and Ella White 0:1 each 

Laois: Abi Swift,Caoimhe Fitzpatrick, Katie O’Reilly, Sarah McDonald, Katelyn Timmons,Clodagh Fingleton, Abbey Louise Byrne, Lara Culleton, Faye Brown, Aisling Cawley, Katie Grant, Kaylah O’Mara, Anna Mulligan,Niamh Dundon, Mia Branagan 

Subs used : Ava Dempsey, Lauren Mulhall, Aine Nolan, Reiltin Hoone, Poppy Duff.

Louth: Alice Kearns, Ailis Byrne, Moyà Corrigan, Nicole Murray,  Caoimhe Carolan, Danielle Brennan, Katie McDonald, Eimear Callaghan  Amy Murray, Sophie Everitt, Zara Sweeney, Ella White,, Maggie Holland, Darcey Devlin, Ciara Boyle 

Subs used: Amy Devine,Eimear Finnegan,Nicole Fitzgerald, Katie English, Caoimhe Carolan, Ava Brennan, Grace Keenan, Aisling Traynor.

Referee: Ray McBride (Dublin)

Photo Credit: Warren Matthews