Lidl Ladies National Football League round-up
EPHIE Fitzgerald’s Cork went goal crazy at Tuam Stadium to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 semi-finals.
The holders ran out 6-15 to 1-11 winners against the Tribeswomen to boost their scoring difference considerably, as Mayo strengthened their position at the top of the table on Sunday.
It was also a landmark day for Armagh as Ronan Clarke’s charges scored a first ever victory over Dublin at senior level, while Kerry finally won a game on the road this year, scoring a 1-14 to 0-6 victory over hosts Monaghan.
Cork had their game put to bed by half-time, having opened up a 4-7 to 0-6 lead.
Aine O’Sullivan netted twice in the first half, with Orla Finn and Ciara O’Sullivan adding the other first half goals.
Roisin Leonard scored Galway’s only goal ten minutes into the second half but Cork added further majors through Annie Walsh and Ciara O’Sullivan, who completed her brace.
Leonard finished as Galway’s leading scorer with a haul of 1-7, including four pointed frees, with Finn notching 1-8 for Cork, including three frees.
It was a mixed day for Leonard, however, as she missed two penalties.
One of her efforts hit the crossbar and the other was saved, although Leonard did score her goal from the rebound.
Mayo made sure of a place in the last four as they beat Tyrone by 1-13 to 0-5 in Killyclogher.
Barring a mathematical miracle in next weekend’s final round of group fixtures, Tyrone are relegated, without a single point all season and carrying a scoring difference that is 57 points worse off than Monaghan, who are second from bottom on three points.
Mayo can’t be caught at the top of the table and looking at the possibilities for the other top four slots, Dublin and Armagh look good in second and third places, three points clear of the chasing pack and with favourable scoring differences.
Mayo led by 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time against Tyrone in a game that saw Sarah Rowe emerge as top scorer for the Westerners.
Aileen Gilroy’s second half goal added gloss to the final scoreline from a Mayo viewpoint.
Arguably the story of the day was depleted Armagh’s victory over Dublin at the Athletic Grounds.
Aimee Mackin scored 1-7 for the Orchard County and Niamh Marley bagged her first ever goal for Armagh, and on her 24th birthday.
Dublin’s goals were supplied by Sinead Aherne, Niamh McEvoy and Lyndsey Davey but this was Armagh’s day and they now look good for a semi-final spot.
In Blackhill, meanwhile, Kerry had 1-6 from Laura Rogers as they triumphed over Monaghan.
The Kingdom should beat Tyrone in their final fixture next weekend but will be reliant on an unlikely series of results elsewhere to make the semi-finals.
The top four slots in Division 2 have been decided as Donegal, Clare, Cavan and Westmeath will contest the semi-finals, with one of them set for eventual promotion.
All four of those teams won their second tier fixtures on Sunday and there’s a four-way relegation scrap down for decision as Kildare, Sligo, Laois and Meath are all tied on three points.
In Division 3, Waterford and Tipperary are through to the semi-finals, with two from Roscommon, Wexford and Leitrim to join them.
Fermanagh look set for relegation, with an inferior points difference to Ulster rivals Down.
In Division 4, Wicklow, Longford, Limerick and Antrim are confirmed semi-finalists.
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1
Galway 1-11 Cork 6-15
Tyrone 0-5 Mayo 1-13
Armagh 2-10 Dublin 3-6
Monaghan 0-6 Kerry 1-14
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2
Meath 0-11 Clare 3-13
Kildare 0-6 Donegal 4-18
Westmeath 2-16 Laois 1-6
Cavan 2-17 Sligo 1-6
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3
Waterford 1-13 Down 1-10
Offaly 0-0 Fermanagh CONC
Wexford 2-8 Leitrim 1-16
Tipperary 2-16 Roscommon 2-8
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4
Derry 0-2 Limerick 5-18
Longford 1-10 Antrim 1-7
Louth 8-28 Carlow 1-4