Caoimhe McGrath proved to be a super sub as she kicked 0-6 (five frees) to help her side book their place in the All-Ireland Junior Football Final.

After the heartbreak of previous years Limerick put in an excellent second half performance to overcome the challenge of Fermanagh. 

The first half was a poor affair with the game lacking any real quality. The first score didn’t come until the 27th minute. Both defences were solid and were on top when called upon. Limerick had a lot of possession in the opening half but squandered scoring chances and also kicked a number of poor wides.

Fermanagh’s first wide didn’t come until the 30th minute. The first chance of the game came just inside the first minute with Fermanagh keeper Róisín Gleeson pulling off a fine save to deny Iris Kennelly.

The game was scoreless as the clocked ticked down to half-time. The first score was welcomed with a loud cheer. Fermanagh’s Laura Grew was fouled and Danielle Maguire pointed over the free in the 27th minute. 

One minute later Kennelly pointed a free to draw the sides level. In stoppage time Limerick keeper Carol Bateman denied Bláthín Bogue, the loose ball appeared to get a final touch off Maguire for a Fermanagh goal. Sarah Britton followed up with a point to put four between the sides.

Cathy Mee had a chance to grab a goal for Limerick before the break but the ball got stuck in the goalmouth.

Whatever was said by both managers at half-time worked a treat because the second half was a big improvement. 

Caoimhe McGrath was only seconds on as a blood sub for Kennelly when she pointed a free in the 32nd minute and followed that up one minute later with another one. Brogue replied with a free for the Erne County in the 35th minute.

Fermanagh’s Sarah McCarville was sin binned in the 37th minute for a foul on Deborah Murphy. McGrath then hit over her third free. Fermanagh conceded another free which McGrath kicked over to cut the gap to one in the 42nd minute.

Lisa Maguire shot straight at Bateman in the 45th minute as Fermanagh went in search of a score. 

Limerick were level in the 46th minute when substitute Andrea O’Leary hit over a fine effort. Cathay Mee edged them ahead for the first time in the 48th minute and followed that up with another good effort one minute later.

Fermanagh’s only reply was a pointed free from Bogue in the 50th minute. McGrath was in superb form from frees and kicked over two more frees to put three between the sides in teh 54th minute.

Aisling O’Brien was sin binned for Fermanagh in the 58th minute. McCarville then kicked over a much needed point for James Daly’s side in the 60th minute. Limerick’s Ava Quaid then received a yellow card to leave the sides with 14 players each. It mattered little to Limerick