Louth 1-10
Antrim 1-9

by Dan Bannon

A game of two halves in Crossmaglen as Louth captured the Lidl National League Division 3 title with the last kick of the game.

Substitute Laura Lynch scored the winner for the Wee county with a last gasp free as the final looked to be heading to extra time.

Kevin Larkin’s side laid the foundation for victory in the opening half against the elements by only trailing by a point at the break and a fortuitous goal from another replacement Grace Hoey, midway through the second half, proved crucial.

The Eimear Byrne switch to the inside line has been a secret to Louth’s promotion success this season. The experienced Mochta’s player landed an early score against the wind to settle her team mates around her.

Antrim’s Aoibheann Monaghan’s impact was profound, a late change from the bench, the former Irish underage netballer levelled straightaway. Monaghan was a constant menace to the Louth backline.

Despite the response, Louth’s superior running game was telling. Ceire Nolan was impressing agaisnt the elements and Aine Breen and Ciara Woods opened an early Louth lead.

Monaghan then was on hand to punish a wayward Louth restart. Squeezing in between two Louth defenders the St. Joseph’s player slotted home. Despite the goal and the favourable wind, Antrim could not push on.

A match ending injury to Lambe Sally five before half time cause not only a huge delay, but an opportunity for the Ulster ladies to atone for not fully using the wind efficiently. Eight first half wides proved costly.

Saffrons goalkeeper Aine Devlin was forced into action, doing well as she tipped a dangerous Aine Breen shot around the post.

Byrne’s second 20th minute score was followed as Theresa Mallon and Louth free taker Sophie Everitt traded scores to make it 1-4 to 0-6  at the break to Chris Scullion’s Antrim side. The slender lead even at that stage, felt inadequate.

Hoey’s 13th minute looping goal in the second period was compounded by a black card to Laura Agnew. Cliodhna Logan’s brace gave Antrim a brief lead but extra time beckoned. Substitute Lynch held her nerve providing Louth their third piece of silverware under Larkin’s tutelage.

Scorers - Louth: G Hoey 1-0, S Everitt 0-3 (3f), E Byrne 0-2,  C Woods, L White, A Breen, A Halligan, L Lynch (f) 0-1 each. Antrim: A Monaghan 1-1, T Mellon, C Logan 0-2 each, M O’Neill, A Davidson, L Agnew, O Dahunsi 0-1 each.

LOUTH: R Lambe Fagan; S Matthews, E Hand, H Lambe Sally; A Murray, S McLaughlin, L Byrne; A Halligan, Á Breen (capt.); L White, C Nolan, Z Sweeney; E Byrne, S Everitt, C Woods. Subs: R Beirth for H Lambe Sally (26), G Hoey for L Byrne (ht),  A Russell for Sweeney (52), E Thompson for C Woods (52), L Lynch for S Everitt (55).

ANTRIM: A Devlin; H Donaghy, M Blaney, M Mulholland; D Coleman, C Brown, A Monaghan; L Agnew, Á Tubridy; T Mellon, O Dahunsi, C McKenna; B Devlin (capt.), M O'Neill, A Davidson. Subs: A McGarry for H Donaghy (46), C Logan for D Coleman (46) C Taggart for A Davidson (53).

Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).

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