ON Saturday evening past Derry ladies team headed to the lions den for the penultimate game of the league campaign to face a very strong Louth team full off All-Ireland winners from recent seasons.

Off the back of the fantastic result against Kilkenny the girls were determined to back that up and put in another good performance.  The Oakleafers took the game to Louth with the impressive Dania Donnelly and Annie Crozier dominating midfield exchanges the supply of ball into the forward line was plentiful and Megan Devine got Derry off the mark with a point after good play from Aoife Laverty.

With Rhianna Curran causing major problems for the Louth defenders any free received was duly punished by the hard working Emma Doherty. On six minutes Derry lost Megan Devine through an injury scare and Louth took advantage with three unanswered points but with some terrific saves from Cathlin Doherty and with tenacious defending from Cait Glass and Ciara McGurk Derry was still in touching distance.

A long ball bounced kindly for Louth and the made no mistake form close range and found the back of the net. More woes for Derry as within four minutes Derry received two sin bins one for substitute Rachel walls for over committing to the challenge slightly and the other for goalkeeper Cathlin Doherty who made a fantastic save just outside the small square which the referee deemed a foot block and awarded a penalty which Louth tucked away.

The game threatened to run away from Derry when down to thirteen but with some superb defensive work from Rachel McAllister and Katy Holly Derry kept in touch half time saw Derry looking to overcome a five point deficit.

Former Dublin goalie John O'Leary sent his Louth team out for the second half determined to keep their hopes of a league playoff alive and it seemed to work with Louth hitting the net after 15 seconds of the restart before adding two more points. Returning to the fray Rachel Walls immediately made an impact and set up Emma Doherty who passed to her namesake Sarah who pointed.

This settled Derry down and with 15 v 15 again Derry started where they left off and put Louth under serious pressure a splendid point from Aoife Laverty followed up by three points from placed balls by Emma Doherty hauled Derry back into the game with Louth failing to get a grip on the game the ever elusive Danielle Kivlehan finished off a sweeping move with a great point.

Annie crozier played a perfect pass to Enya Doherty who after good work played in the unselfish Rhianna Curran who found Rachel walls who made not mistake with a cool finish. Derry went for the jugular and with Lea Casey driving out of defence, she played a long ball cross field to Danielle Kivlehan who carried the battle deep into the heart of the Louth defence.

With time running out Rachel McAllister won a breaking ball and played a ball to returning Megan Devine who was fouled Emma Doherty obliged with a point to leave three between the sides with 90 seconds of normal time remaining. Derry pushed hard and attacking form all angles couldn't get the score needed and Louth broke down the pitch to fire the winning goal to leave no doubt a quick point from Louth upon the kick-out brought a very good enjoyable game to a close as a huge sigh of relief from the Louth management.

Another extremely positive performance from a Derry side.  After a slow start to the campaign, they seem to be going places and now finish off their league campaign with a home fixture against Carlow this Sunday at 2pm (Venue TBC).

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