By John Fallon

A GOAL from Orla Swail saw Down edge out Carlow (1-9 to 0-8) an book their All-Ireland junior final spot against Limeick.

Limerick defeated Fermanagh by 0-10 to 1-6, while Down secured their place in the final thanks to Swail’s late goal.

Down led by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break and eventually saw off the Carlow challenge when Swail got the only goal of the match four minutes from time.

““We needed something big like that,” said Down manager Peter Lynch. “The game was hanging by a thread. It could have gone either way and then that goal probably made it safer for us. We tagged on a point after that. Once we got four between us, it was just about keeping the house tight.”

After years of heartbreak Limerick are finally through to the All-Ireland Junior final and Cathy Mee couldn’t contain her delight after the semi-final win over Fermanagh where sub Caoimhe McGrath came on and kicked six points to edge them past Fermanagh.

“It’s Caoimhe’s first year. She is only a young girl and to stand over frees like that. Fair play to her. I had no doubt. She is excellent and she’s definitely going to be a star for the future,” said the experienced Limerick player Mee.

“Semi-finals are for winning, it doesn’t really matter how. At least we know we have a lot more to give in the final. We need to put in that 60-minute performance in the final,” she added.

Results: 

TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final results
Clare 2-14 Antrim 1-13
Kildare 1-4 Wexford 0-2

TG4 All-Ireland Junior semi-final results
Limerick 0-10 Fermanagh 1-6
Down 1-9 Carlow 0-8

TG4 All-Ireland Senior relegation play-off
Waterford 1-19 Cavan 0-9