Two second half goals from Eadaoin Crowe were not enough as Limerick fell to an agonising 1-11 to 2-7 defeat to Sligo in the All-Ireland Junior Ladies Football Championship.
The result means Sligo progressed to the semi-final while John Lynch’s side were knocked out in the group stage by the Yeats County for the second year in a row
This round robin clash was effectively a straight knockout tie after both sides beat London but lost to Carlow.
Sligo made four late changes with the majority of the forwards listed to start on the bench.
Despite the shuffle from their manager Kieran Kilkenny, his side were clinical in front of goal and build a lead when they were in a dominant position midway through the first half. Tara Geoghegan opened the scoring but Limerick were very much second best in the opening half.
It took the visitors a few minutes to get going but when they did they played some stylish football.
The Connacht side got off the mark with a wonderful individual goal in the seventh minute.
Stand-in captain Tara Breheny went on a searing run through the field before hitting a low right-footed shot that kissed the post on the way in.
Limerick fought back immediately however. After a counter attack, Eadaoin Crowe’s fierce shot rattled the woodwork – unlike the Sligo effort this one stayed out.
Meadhbh McNamara managed to close the gap alright with 10 minutes played – however, this would be Limerick’s last score of the half.
In the following 20 minutes, Sligo rattled off six on the bounce.
Half of these were Leah Duffy frees, one of which a harsh call against Treaty goalkeeper Sophie Hennessy adjudged to have taken too long over a kick-out.
The Yeats County were impressive in front of goal too though it must be said; Denise McGrath and Sinead Regan scoring good points to stretch the advantage.
Sligo extended the lead to 10 points with just over 10 minutes to go and hope looked lost for Lynch’s side.
However, they produced their best spell of the season to come oh, so close to a dramatic victory.
Little consolation leaving Ballyhahill on Sunday afternoon but a lot of positives for a young Limerick side to take into 2027 and beyond.
SCORERS – Limerick: Eadaoin Crowe 2-0; Tara Geoghegan 0-4 (4f); Meadhbh McNamara, Lucy O’Brien, Laoise Browne 0-1 each.
Sligo: Tara Breheny 1-0; Leah Duffy (3f), Sinead Regan 0-3 each; Denise McGrath, Blaithin Lavin 0-2 each; Ciara Gorman 0-1.
LIMERICK: Sophie Hennessy; Shona Hickey, Aine Ryan, Rebecca Fitzgibbon; Clodagh Real, Alex Russell, Meadhbh McNamara; Orla Ryan, Emma Hickey; Olivia McCarthy, Lucy O’Brien, Eadaoin Crowe; Molly Creedon, Tara Geoghegan, Laoise Brown.
Subs: Molly Creedon for McCarthy (35 mins); Jillian Buckley for L Ryan (48 mins); Ciara Ryan for Hickey (49 mins); Kathy Childs for Real (60 mins); Martha Stanley for Geoghegan (60 mins).
SLIGO: Ellen McGuire; Holly Gilligan, Claire Dunne, Aoibheann Durcan; Sarah Feeney, Ciara Walsh, Tara Breheny; Sinead Regan, Sarah Cunney; Anna McDaniel, Denise McGrath, Rachel McGoldrick; Leah Duffy, Cara King, Blaithin Lavin.
Subs: Ciara Gorman for McGrath (35 mins); Shona Dalton for McGoldrick (48 mins), Cora Gillegan for Blaithin Lavin (50 mins); Lauren Normanly for Anna McDaniel (50 mins); Nisha McDonagh for Sarah Feeney (60 mins).
REFEREE: Colm Conway (Galway).
