DONAL Ryan’s side defeated Derry in the second round of the All-Ireland Ladies Football Junior Championship in Kinnegad on Sunday.
After an opening day defeat to Wicklow, Limerick picked up a first win of the championship, beating Derry 2-7 to 0-12.
Nicole Bennett’s second goal proved crucial after a lengthy delay towards the conclusion of the game.
Bennett kicked off the scoring as she powered to the net inside the opening minnute. Derry responded with a brace but the Murroe Boher lady had her first free of the day to give Limerick a 1-1 to 0-2 advantage after 12 minutes.
Andrea O’Sullivan pushed the lead out to three with a free of her own shortly after with Bennett’s third score helping Limerick into a healthy 1-3 to 0-2 lead at the waterbreak.
But it was all Derry after the waterbreak and five on the bounce had them one in front at the interval.
Derry opened the second half scoring before Bennett stemmed the tide ten minutes into the half. Derry moved two clear after the second waterbreak but even with a girl in the bin, Katie Heelan stepped up to reduce the deficit to a sing point with five minutes to play.
Derry regained the two point cushion after 57 before there was a lengthy stoppage to allow an injured Derry player to leave the field.
On the resumption, Bennett was on hand to convert the crucial penalty as Limerick regained the lead for the first time since the first half.
Winning ways
pic.twitter.com/BrdDvDilw8
— Nicole Bennett (@nclbennett130) July 18, 2021
But Derry regained their composure and drew level with time running out. Meadhbh MacNamara kicked Limerick back in front before Derry levelled again.
However, player of the match Bennett rounded off a spectacular display with the final score of the game to secure the coveted win.
Limerick face Antrim this coming weekend in their third game of the championship.
Rewatch the game in full below.
The post WATCH: Limerick Ladies Footballers pick up first win of the Championship as they overcome Derry appeared first on Sporting Limerick.
