ANTRIM clinched top spot in Division 4 Group A to set up a league semi-final against Limerick in just under three weeks time.
The Saffrons were all but assured first place going into their final round game and they ensured they would not slip up with an emphatic 6-16 to 2-7 win over Carlow on Sunday.
In all, 10 scorers got on the scoresheet for Emma Kelly’s side. Grainne McLaughlin finished with 2-5, captain Cathy Carey got 1-2, Bronagh Devlin 1-1 and a goal apiece for Theresa Mellon and Laura Agnew.
The Saffrons led from start to finish. An Aoife Taggart pointed free got them up and running in the fifth minute before Bronagh Devlin doubled their lead.
Carlow replied with a point but 1-4 without reply saw Antrim’s lead increase to eight points, McLaughlin with 1-3 of that including an 11th minute goal.
The visitors grabbed a 17th minute goal from Ella Molloy and tagged on two points to move within three but Antrim’s regained control with 3-4 of the next 3-5, Carey, Devlin and Mellon with the goals to help the home side to a 4–10 to 1-4 half-time lead.
Antrim hit the first two points of the second half and Carlow replied with three in-a-row but they failed to score after as the Division Four title favourites finished the final quarter with an unanswered 2-4, McLaughlin with a 48th minute goal and Agnew finishing their scoring off with their sixth goal.
Antrim manager Emma Kelly says they are moving along nicely but knows the challenge will only get tougher as they chase a league title and promotion to Division Three.
“We are pleased with the result,” she said.
“Obviously, we wanted to win. The girls played well but we can still pick up a few things which we need to work on but overall, we are happy with the performance. It’s another step towards our goal of getting out of Division Four.
“Limerick will be a tough test. They are usually a physical team so we will get the heads down and focus on the next step.”
Highlights of today’s game between @AntrimLGFA vs @CarlowLGFA. Antrim 6-16 Carlow 2-7 From a Livestream by @mac_av https://t.co/MQyy1YKs7L
— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) March 5, 2023
Lidl National Football League Division 4 Group B: Derry 0-4 Limerick 2-7
DERRY ended their National League campaign with defeat to Limerick at Owenbeg on Sunday.
Limerick needed at least a draw from their last game to qualify for the Division Four semi-finals, where they will face Fermanagh, and they proved too strong for the home side.
Points from Karen O’Leary and Cathy Mee put them 0-2 to no score in front before Annie Crozier got Derry off the mark in the ninth minute. That, however, would be their only score of the half, and 1-3 without reply in the second quarter gave Limerick a 1-5 to 0-1 half-time lead, Iris Kennelly with a 20th minute goal.
The same player had the game wrapped up when she scored her and her side’s second goal in the 49th minute to make it 2-7 to 0-1.
Derry, to their credit, didn’t give up, and three Eve Diamond points – two from frees and one from play, brought their tally to four points but Limerick were always in control.
Leitrim had 13 points to spare over Wicklow in the group’s other game winning 3-13 to 0-9 to book their place in the semis.
