Louth ladies boss Kevin Larkin happy with performance after Louth see off Sligo challenge

Irish Independent

a day ago

Louth were marginally the better side over the hour and manager Kevin Larkin was more than happy with how his side performed.
'We're happy with the performance; that's what we talked about all week, just putting in the performance and the result will look after itself,' was Larkin's immediate reaction after the game.
'But the work-rate, there's big moments where Louth players, Ciara Nolan at the end there, she made two bursts forward when it's easy to sit back, she took the game by a scruff of the neck, Rebecca (Lamb Fegan) in goals, just magnificent.
'Sligo are a very, very good team as well and we're just really happy to get up the line and on to the semi-final.'
Larkin acknowledge the fact that you both sides had already qualified for the All-Ireland semi-finals but that had not impacted his preparations coming into the game.
'We spoke about that and what was really important for us was our momentum. Irrespective of the result, you want to keep the momentum going,' he said.
'I know people say that, but I haven't even looked at the other results. I don't care who we play in the semi-final. You have to beat every team in the competition.
'So the most important thing for us was not topping the group or whatever, it was keeping our momentum going which we have done today.'
Trailing 2-6 to 0-5 at the break by Sligo pinned Louth back for a greater part of second half but it was Larkin's sides ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over at the right time that proved crucial in the end.
'It's funny because that's what we spoke about, just keep that scoreboard ticking over and if you know the goal chance is on, you can take it,' said Larkin.
'But it's important to keep the scoreboard ticking over and we did it brilliantly; the scores at the end, Kate [Flood] taking the free and some of our defending was just absolutely fantastic.
'They're brilliant, they really are. They work so hard. They're talking to each other. I think our defence has probably been our strongest point all year and it was proved out there today because to keep Sligo scoreless in terms of a goal, to keep a clean sheet is a great achievement because they're a very good attacking team.'
It did look like at times in the second half that Louth were about to get in on goal three or four times but a slightly misdirected pass or a Sligo hand in to intercept denied Larkin's side.
'Ah yeah, look I suppose the important thing, we spoke about that at half-time, we're creating the chances and that's really important,' the Louth boss said.
'We were just really happy in terms of the chances and if it's on, just keep that scoreboard ticking over and that's what we did.'
There was certainly a difference in Louth's performance on Sunday from those earlier in the championship, and indeed in the league, and it was clear that the side is progressing at just the right time.
'The progress you've made through the championship, we've been working really hard in training and trying to see out games and things like that, because we're at the do or die end of the season now,' said Larkin.
'High pressure games in training translate out onto the pitch here. Every day we arrive to Darver we're improving and they're just a great team to work with and just loving every second of it.'