CORK were crowned Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 champions for a third successive season at Dublin's Parnell Park last Saturday. The all-conquering Leesiders have now claimed five NFL titles in the last six seasons as thoughts now turn firmly towards the assault on a sixth successive All-Ireland title.

Eamon Ryan's all-conquering team ran out 2-10 to 1-9 winners against Galway but they had to dig deep as the Connacht champions led by 1-6 to 1-5 with just over 14 minutes remaining. That was before Cork sub Rhona Buckley, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, blasted home the decisive goal which turned a free-ridden encounter firmly in Cork's favour. In the last 15 minutes, Cork finished strongly and the champions outscored the Westerners by 1-5 to 0-3 in that spell.

Cork led by just a single point at half-time, 1-4 to 1-3, as Galway launched a strong fightback having fallen 1-4 to 0-2 adrift. The Tribeswomen were rocked by Valerie Mulcahy's goal midway through the half but responded minutes before the break when Edel Concannon's effort dropped into the net over the head of Cork goalkeeper Elaine Harte. Despite finishing on the losing side, Galway corner back Catriona Cormican was honoured with the player of the match award.

Elsewhere, Donegal were finally crowned Bord Gáis Division 2 champions, having lost three finals in the previous eight seasons. The north-westerners ran out winners by ten points against Kildare in Saturday's second tier decider, on a final score of 5-15 to 2-14.

Full-forward Yvonne McMonagle and corner forward Geraldine McLaughlin both scored 2-1 for the winners while Eilish Ward won the player of the match award after notching 1-4. Donegal led by 2-10 to 1-8 at half-time against the Lilywhites, who had goalscoring contributions from top scorer Aine Gately and sister Deirdre.

Meanwhile, Cavan captured the Bord Gáis Energy Division 3 title for the second time in three seasons with a comfortable 4-13 to 1-10 victory against Waterford. First half goals from Gráinne Smith, Bronagh Sheridan and Roisin O'Keeffe helped Cavan to lead by 3-4 to 1-5 at half-time, as Stephanie Power hit Waterford's first half goal.

Cavan's fourth goal, midway through the second half, killed the tie as a contest as the Breffni County surged 4-11 to 1-10 clear. Corner forward Aisling Doonan received the player of the match award after scoring five points for Cavan, including four from play.

CORK and Galway will meet in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 final on May 8 after winning their semi-finals over the weekend. Cork showed ominous form as they defeated Monaghan 1-21 to 0-11 at Banagher on Saturday while Galway ran out 2-13 to 1-12 winners against Laois at Kiltoom on Sunday afternoon.

Cork, chasing a third successive title and a fifth in six seasons, will meet a Galway side contesting their first Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 1 final since 2007, when they lost to Connacht rivals Mayo. Cork will compete in their seventh final after inflicting a 13-point defeat on Monaghan at the home of St Rynagh's GAA club in Offaly. The All-Ireland champions produced a devastating attacking display which yielded 1-19 from play as Monaghan were well beaten.

The Farney girls did lead by 0-4 to 0-0 in the first half but once Cork found their rhythm, they proved unstoppable as eight different players registered scores. For Cork, Angela Walsh was superb at full back, Norita Kelly quietly effective at midfield while player of the match Mary O'Connor, Ciara O'Sullivan, Amy O'Shea and Nollaig Cleary were in top form in attack.

Cork led by 1-8 to 0-6 at half-time and the goal, cracked home by O'Shea a minute before the interval, was a crucial score as Monaghan's heads visibly dropped.

In Kiltoom on Sunday, throw-in for the Galway-Laois semi-final was delayed after Waterford and Fermanagh fought out a memorable high-scoring draw in the Division 3 semi-final. When the second Division 1 semi-final did get underway, Laois went on to lead by 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time and the O'Moore County were two points ahead, 1-10 to 0-11, with ten minutes remaining. However, Galway's subs Una Carroll, Patricia Gleeson and Dora Gorman helped to turn the tide as the Connacht champions came roaring back to clinch the win.

Edel Concannon and Lorna Joyce scored Galway's goals as the Tribeswomen produced a strong finish to reach the final for the third time in six seasons. Niamh Duggan finished as Galway's top scorer with eight points, including seven frees, while Noirin Kirwan hit 1-4 for Laois, including a penalty goal in the second half.

In Division 2, Donegal must wait for their final opponents after Armagh and Kildare fought out a thrilling draw, 2-10 apiece, in Saturday's semi-final. Donegal, beaten Division 2 finalists in 2008, advanced to another decider with a 2-14 to 2-6 victory over Meath on Sunday.

Cavan advanced to the Division 3 final following a comfortable win against Wexford and will meet Waterford or Fermanagh on May 8.

And in Division 4, next Saturday's final (May 2) will be contested by Limerick and Leitrim at Cavan's Kingspan Breffni Park (5.0).

LAOIS snatched a dramatic injury-time victory against Dublin in Stradbally on Sunday to qualify for the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 semi-finals, and relegate the Sky Blues in the process. The O'Moore County edged a thrilling winner-takes-all clash as Olwyn Farrell's stoppage time goal secured a 2-10 to 2-8 victory against last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists Dublin.

The stakes couldn't have been any higher for the Leinster rivals as defeat meant relegation while victory would ensure a top four finish in Division 1. Two-goal star Lindsey Davey struck after twenty minutes to help Dublin into a 1-3 to 0-4 half-time lead but the vast majority of the drama was reserved for a breathless second half. Ten minutes after the restart, Davey had netted again and Dublin looked to be on their way to victory, leading by 2-5 to 0-6.

But with a minute of normal time remaining, Mary Kirwan bagged a priceless goal for Laois and as the game drifted into stoppage time, the sides were level at 1-10 to 2-7. Farrell hit the lead goal for Laois but there was still time for more heartstopping action as Gemma Fay struck the butt of a Laois upright six and a half minutes into injury time, after Sinead Aherne had pulled a point back for Dublin.

Dublin were within inches of snatching victory themselves but relegation to Division 2 is a massive blow to the Leinster kingpins and underlines just how fine the lines are when the top teams are involved.

In Division 2 of the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League, there was another sensational finish as Stephanie O'Reilly scored a late winning goal to relegate Clare and ensure that Sligo will be playing second tier football again next season.

The Yeats County claimed a precious victory on home soil as O'Reilly's goal secured a 3-5 to 2-7 success against last year's All-Ireland intermediate champions. At half-time, Clare led by 1-4 to 1-1 and all of the first half scores from the visitors came from play, with Louise Henchy bagging a third minute goal.

O'Reilly scored the first of her two goals in the first half to keep Sligo in touch and the home side opened the second half in impressive fashion with a 1-3 blast which turned a three-point deficit into a three-point lead. Noelle Gormley was on target with Sligo's second goal but the introduction of Clare sub Katie Keoghan swung the pendulum again and she netted with eleven minutes remaining as the Banner County roared back.

With time up, Clare led by 2-7 to 2-5 but there was still time for O'Reilly to settle matters with a stoppage time winning goal to ensure safety for Sligo and heartbreak for Clare.

In Division 3, Wexford claimed a top four finish and a semi-final meeting with Cavan thanks to a 2-12 to 1-9 home victory against Fermanagh. Tara Moloney set the Model County on their way with a penalty in the first minute while Fiona Rochford added a second half goal for the winners.

Moloney and Rochford both finished with 1-2 for the Slaneysiders, who led by 1-8 to 1-2 at half-time, as centre forward Shauna Hamilton scored Fermanagh's goal.

In Division 4, Limerick defeated Leitrim by 1-12 to 1-8 to draw level at the head of affairs on twelve points alongside Leitrim and Antrim. Marie-Claire Curtin scored an early penalty for visitors Limerick, who led by 1-3 to 0-2 at half-time, while Aine Tighe scored Leitrim's second half goal.

MAYO ace Cora Staunton was the jewel of Treasure Island as the 2008 O'Neills/TG4 Ladies Football Allstars defeated their 2009 counterparts in San Francisco on Saturday. Staunton bagged a sensational individual haul of 2-5 as the selection managed by Cork's Eamon Ryan ran out winners by six points at the magnificent Pairc na nGael venue.

Staunton racked up her match winning tally before she was withdrawn with 18 minutes remaining and an attendance in the region of 1,000 people afforded the four-time All-Ireland senior medallist a rousing reception as she left the field of play. The Carnacon attacker, who scored 2-2 from play, was the star of the show in an attacking sense but goalkeeper Elaine Harte was also in superb form and pulled off a succession of top class saves.

Another of Cork's travelling contingent, Nollaig Cleary, also caught the eye with a hard-working display while Angela Walsh was a tower of strength at full-back for the winners.

For the 2009 Allstars, Cork's Geraldine O'Flynn performed effectively in a defensive role before moving further up the field while Mayo's Emma Mullin pulled the strings from centre forward.

The 2009 selection was managed by Deirdre Murphy, who masterminded Clare's All-Ireland intermediate success last year, but she had to play second fiddle to Ryan's team, who started with six of Cork's senior champions. Among them was Briege Corkery, who travelled from Australia just for this game, while O'Flynn was joined by Norita Kelly in the 2009 team.

Staunton showed her class with an early goal to set the 2008 winners on their way but the 2009 Allstars hit back with three unanswered points to tie the scores at 0-3 to 1-0 with nine minutes on the watch. Staunton, who hit 2-3 in the first half alone, took over after that and an unanswered run of 1-3 from the 27-year-old, including a brilliant 14th minute goal, sent the 2008 Allstars into a 2-3 to 0-3 lead approaching half-time.

At the break, the 2009 Allstars trailed by 0-5 to 2-3 and their task was made even more difficult within a minute of the restart when Down ace Michaela Downey lashed home a fine goal off the underside of the crossbar. But in an entertaining encounter, the 2009 Allstars fought back and were given a lifeline by Ciara McAnespie in the 38th minute when the Monaghan forward found the net.

With ten minutes remaining, the 2009 Allstars had reduced the deficit to just three points, trailing by 1-9 to 3-6, but the 2008 Allstars rallied with a run of four successive points to make the game safe.

At a post-match reception, Ladies Gaelic Football President Pat Quill thanked officials from San Francisco GAA and the Western Divisional board for their warm welcome to sun-kissed Treasure Island. He also announced that a new Ladies Football club is being established in Los Angeles, on the back of the success of this tour.

Scorers for O'Neills/TG4 2008 Allstars:
C Staunton 2-5 (0-3f), M Downey 1-0, P Dennehy 0-2, N Cleary, C Little, E Hanley & D Murtagh 0-1 each.

Scorers for O'Neills/TG4 2009 Allstars:
C McAnespie 1-0, S Aherne 0-3 (1f), J Donnelly 0-3 (1f), G O'Flynn, A.M. McDonagh, N Earley, E Mullin (f) & L Henchy 0-1 each.

2008 O'Neills/TG4 Allstars:
Elaine Harte (Cork); Linda Barrett (Cork), Angela Walsh (Cork), Sharon Courtney (Monaghan); Briege Corkery (Cork), Brid Stack (Cork), Neamh Woods (Tyrone); Caroline Little (Fermanagh), Amanda Casey (Monaghan); Nollaig Cleary (Cork), Niamh Kindlon (Monaghan), Michaela Downey (Down); Patrice Dennehy (Kerry), Cora Staunton (Kerry), Edel Hanley (Tipperary).

Subs:
Kathy Conway (Derry), Sinead McLaughlin (Tyrone), Denise Murtagh (Longford), Angela McDermott (Tipperary), Rebecca McPhilbin (Galway).

2009 O'Neills/TG4 Allstars:
Cliodhna O'Connor (Dublin); Noelle Tierney (Mayo), Noelle Comyn (Dublin), Geraldine O'Flynn (Cork); Aoife McAnespie (Monaghan), Martha Carter (Mayo), Siobhan McGrath (Dublin); Denise Masterson (Dublin), Norita Kelly (Cork); Anne Marie McDonagh (Galway), Emma Mullin (Mayo), Noelle Earley (Kildare); Ciara McAnespie (Monaghan), Sinead Aherne (Dublin), Una Carroll (Galway).

Subs:
Derval Toal (Armagh), Eliza Downey (Down), Louise Henchy (Clare), Joline Donnelly (Tyrone), Aine Kelly (Clare).

Referee:
Keith Tighe (Dublin).

A top US official has called on Croke Park to introduce a new transfer system to aid American GAA. San Francisco chairman Oliver McElhone is looking for a relaxation of current guidelines which would encourage players from Ireland to visit America for a shorter period of time.

McElhone insisits that a higher calibre of player is needed in the US to raise the profile of Gaelic Games stateside and to ensure that local players receive top quality coaching. The days of high profile intercounty players arriving on weekend sanctions and receiving financial reimbursement are in the past and now, any player coming out from Ireland must sign a minimum sixty-day sanction to ensure eligibility.

But McElhone believes that more flexibility is needed and wants to see shorter-term transfers introduced to help American clubs while also giving players the chance to experience life in the US. McElhone revealed: "At the moment, a lot of people are looking to come out but they changed the rules within the GAA so we can't get the calibre of player that we want out here. "My way of thinking is that there is always a need for that high calibre of player from Ireland. "It's the only way that the American player will learn and improve."

McElhone added: "They've put the noose around our necks. It's time to open it up again. Things are not good at home. If you have a quality of player at home and his county and club is out of the championship, why not let him come to America? Why put dates or deadlines on them - let them play."McElhone insisted: "The way the economy is going; they'd want to release the shackles a bit...(but) we're not after intercounty players. They're a special breed and deserve to be. "I'd also wonder why London has one set of rules, New York has another set, North America another and Australia the same. Why not combine those rules. Let people travel - it's the best knowledge in the world so why should they be shackled."

In the past, many star players arrived on weekend sanctions and took advantage of gaps in the intercounty season to travel to America. But the practice of alleged payments to players and the manipulation of these rules by American clubs caused some disquiet within the Association and led to the introduction of more stringent guidelines.

McElhone inisted: "I don't agree with the money end of it but if players come out to better themsleves, let the do that. They can only come out on visas anyway."

Meanwhile, the travelling O'Neills/TG4 Ladies Football Allstars will grace the magnificent facilities at Treasure Island in San Francisco on Saturday for an exhibition game. The game's top stars were on Treasure Island yesterday for coaching sessions with over 100 local children and on Saturday, the cream of American talent will also be on show in a specially organised tournament.

McElhone, a native of Derry who has been in San Francisco since 1982, said: "The Treasure Island project is one of the most amazing things that I'll ever see in my lifetime. We achieved things that I never thought possible in this town. "Some people who were never involved in football or the GAA did things I couldn't believe. They're the people who deserve the credit."

The first spade went into the ground on the Treasure Island project in March 2008 and the Vodafone Football Allstars visited in December of that year. Last year, Treasure Island opened its new clubhouse and with three pitches decorating the complex, the GAA now boasts a spectacular base in San Francisco.

McElhone reflected: "We're going through a very strong period at the moment. Ladies Football is going exceptionally well and has been since the game began to develop properly in the 1980s. "There have always been Americans playing - they love the sport. "I remember the first CYC (Continental Youth Championships) in New York. We took our daughters there; we only had seven players but the way it grew from there is amazing."

CHAMPIONS Cork showed ominous signs that they are returning to top form with a comprehensive 4-16 to 1-11 victory against Laois in Sunday's Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 tie.

Allstar Valerie Mulcahy was the undoubted star of the show as the Rockbán ace finished with a personal haul of 4-4. Her opening goal was a fortuitous long-range effort but there was no doubting the general quality of Mulcahy's finishing as the Leesiders ran out comprehensive 14-point winners at Cork IT.

Having collected a second successive League victory, All-Ireland champions Cork are now very much on course for the playoffs and have recovered well following a slow early start to the campaign. At half-time, Cork were out of sight as they led by 3-12 to 0-5 and it was early goals that proved the O'Moore County's undoing.

Tracey Lawlor, Aisling Quigley and Mary Kirwan kept plugging away for Laois while Martina Dunne scored a second half consolation goal but the visitors played second fiddle throughout to a rampant Cork. Juliet Murphy was also in good form for Cork as she weighed in with four points, all from frees, while Geraldine O'Flynn, Nollaig Cleary, Rhona Ní Bhuachalla and Laura McMahon chipped in with a brace of points each.

In Division 2, Donegal ensured their place in the playoffs with a crucial 3-13 to 3-9 victory against Tipperary, a result which severely dents the Premier County's hopes of a top four finish.

Goals from Karen Feeney, Karen Guthrie and Aoife McMonagle proved decisive for the North-Westerners as they made the long visit to Golden a profitable one. Gillian O'Brien scored 1-5 for Tipperary, who trailed by 2-5 to 2-3 at half-time, while Cliona O'Dwyer and Ann Marie O'Gorman added the home side's other goals.

In Division 3, Fermanagh and Waterford fought out an exciting draw in a top of the table clash at Kinawley. The home side scored 2-14 while visitors Waterford responded with 1-17 as the teams ensured themselves of coveted play off spots. All the goals were scored in the first half as Waterford came from six points down to lead by 1-10 to 2-6 at half-time.

Sinead Ryan finished with a tally of 1-8 for the Déise and her sister Michelle chipped in with four crucial points.Imelda McGovern scored Fermanagh's first goal after seven minutes while Caroline Little, who scored a total of 1-7, added the Erne County's second goal with 21 minutes on the watch. Elaine Power's late leveller for Waterford ensured a draw and it is now guaranteed that the two teams will meet again in the forthcoming Division 3 semi-final.

In Division 4, Sinead Foley, Evie Guckian and Michelle Reynolds scored the goals as table toppers Leitrim scored a 3-15 to 0-8 victory against Louth.

ON home soil, Dublin City University retained the O'Connor Cup on Sunday with a dramatic 2-12 to 0-12 victory against the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. Monaghan star Ciara McAnespie goaled for DCU in the first half as the competition hosts went in level at half-time against Jordanstown, 1-4 to 0-7. At the end of normal time, the sides remained deadlocked at 1-8 to 0-11, having been level on six occasions during the game. In stoppage time, Down and Jordanstown ace Aileen Pyers swapped points with DCU's Dublin player Amy McGuinness as the pendulum continued to swing one way and then another.

However, DCU closed the game out with an unanswered 1-3 thereafter, finishing clinically when it appeared that extra-time was on the cards. DCU's second goal was scored by Dublin star Lyndsey Davey and won the trophy for the Glasnevin-based university for the second successive year, following on last year's very first success in this competition. Monaghan's Ellie McCarron top-scored for DCU with six points, including five from play, but the player of the match award went to Cavan defender Donna English. Pyers finished as Jordanstown's top scorer with eight points, a haul which included seven frees, but it wasn't enough as DCU celebrated back-to-back titles.

Elsewhere, a dramatic Lynch shield final was won on penalties by Cork IT after a magnificent decider against Athlone IT finished level at 5-13 apiece after extra-time. Roscommon's Michelle Carey claimed the player of the match award as NUI Maynooth captured the Giles Cup with a comfortable victory against Waterford IT.

Meanwhile, former Cork captain and five-time All-Ireland medallist Juliet Murphy starred for MICL in their Lynch Cup final victory over DCU while NUIG captured the O'Connor Shield.

MONAGHAN scored a crucial victory against hosts Dublin on Saturday to remain firmly in the hunt for a first Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football league crown since 1999. The Farney girls strengthened their second place position behind table-toppers Galway in Division 1 after securing a 0-13 to 0-8 win against the Jackies at Naomh Mearnóg.

Dublin, with the breeze at their backs in the first half, opened up a 0-7 to 0-5 half-time but were held to just a single point by a fired-up Monaghan in the second half. After losing to Dublin in last year’s league and also in the All-Ireland semi-final, the Ulster outfit were determined to gain revenge and did so with another impressive attacking display. Once again, all six forwards were on the scoresheet for the visitors as Edel Byrne led the way with an impressive haul of six points.

The experienced Niamh Kindlon added three points while Laura McEnaney, daughter of Monaghan senior football manager Seamus, performed well in the second half with some intelligent and selfless running. Sinead Ahern was Dublin’s most effective forward with three points but it was Monaghan’s work-rate, particularly after half-time, that made the difference.

In Division 2, Meath rattled five goals past Tipperary at New Inn as the Royal County moved firmly into the race for promotion. Meath made their trip to Tipp a winning one as they left for home on the right end of a 5-4 to 2-11 scoreline. This game started in whirlwind fashion when Elaine Duffy converted a second minute penalty for Meath’s first goal, before Patricia Hickey responded immediately with a Tipperary goal.

Remarkably, Meath were awarded three penalties in the first half as Tipp struggled to cope with long balls into the full back line. Duffy converted two and missed one while Hickey struck a second Tipperary goal to give the hosts a one-point half-time lead, 2-4 to 2-3. Three second half goals handed Meath a vital win as Shauna Bennett, Kellie Allen and substitute Samantha Martin raised green flags. A feature of this Meath victory was their ability to mix long and short ball as Allen caused endless problems for the Tipperary defence.

In Division 3, Fermanagh came from two points down at half-time to run out 0-11 to 0-8 winners against Longford in a real six-pointer. The Little sisters Caroline and Sharon hit nine points between them (Caroline 0-5, Sharon 0-4) in an entertaining encounter at Brookeborough. Visitors Longford led 0-6 to 0-4 at the midway point but Fermanagh dug in for the second half and even though Marcella Connolly was sin-binned, the Ernesiders outscored Longford 0-3 to 0-1 while the forward was off the pitch.

Fermanagh are now in joint-second place in the table alongside Waterford, with the pair three points behind pace-setters Cavan. Longford now face a battle to make the semi-finals in Division 3 as they are locked together on six points with Wexford and Wicklow.

In Division 4, Antrim are second only behind Leitrim on scoring difference following a 2-9 to 0-7 victory against Limerick at Casement Park on Saturday. The Saffrons won the repeat of last year’s All-Ireland junior final thanks to goals in either half from Anna Finnegan and Maebh McCurdy. Antrim led by 1-4 to 0-3 at half-time and eventually secured a comfortable victory, despite the best efforts of Limerick’s Catriona Davis, who scored six points of her side’s tally.

MONAGHAN scored a crucial victory over Mayo on Sunday in Division 1 of the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League. The hosts came with a strong second half performance to run out 0-17 to 1-9 winners at Emyvale and remain in the hunt for top flight honours.

Monaghan's second victory from three outings keeps them very much in touch towards the top of the table and the Farney Girls produced an impressive attacking performances which yielded scores from all six starting forwards.

Despite playing against the breeze in the first half, Monaghan led by 0-8 to 0-6 at half time as Cora Staunton hit all but one of Mayo's scores before the break. Mayo led by 0-6 to 0-4 with 21 minutes on the watch but a run of four unanswered points handed Monaghan the advantage at the midway point.

Approaching the finish, Monaghan had surged well clear before Mayo hit 1-2 in the last five minutes to bring a degree of respectability to the scoreline. Clodagh Martin hit the Mayo goal but Monaghan were the more impressive force in front of goal and had impressive performances up front from Ciara McAnespie, Niamh Kindlon and Catriona McConnell.

Monaghan also switched Yvonne Connell onto Staunton before the second half and that move worked a treat as Mayo's main threat was stifled thereafter. Such is Staunton's class that she still managed to finish as her team's leading scorer with eight points while Christina Reilly, making her first start of the year, also caught the eye in a solid Monaghan defence.

In Division 2, pace-setters Armagh lost for the first time this season as they were surprised on home soil in Cullaville by Meath. The Orchard County lost out by 0-8 to 1-7 as a strong first half performance laid the foundations for this Royal County success.

The visitors led by 1-6 to 0-3 at half-time as 1-2 for Elaine Duffy and three Bridget Lynch points helped to put the Leinster outfit firmly in the driving seat. They managed just two points after half-time as Armagh looked to arrest the deficit but the home side couldn't get close enough, despite the best efforts of Shauna O'Hagan and Caroline O'Hanlon. O'Hagan finished with four points for Armagh while Duffy added a second half point for Meath to finish with a personal haul of 1-3.

In Division 3, Waterford maintained their 100 per cent record with a narrow 1-10 to 3-6 victory over Longford at Fraher Field, Dungarvan. The hosts found themselves a point down on the stroke of full-time but Gráinne Kenneally struck an equaliser before Sinead Ryan sealed the win in stoppage time.

Waterford's win was sweet revenge for their intermediate championship defeat against the midlanders last year and leaves them in a strong position alongside Cavan in Division 3. All the goals came in the opening half yesterday as Louise Ryan struck for Waterford while a Denise Murtagh double and another from Edel Quinn helped Longford to lead by 3-4 to 1-5 at half-time.

And in Division 4, Limerick crushed Kilkenny in Mungret by 1-19 to 0-3. The Shannonsiders led by 0-9 to 0-1 and finished with eleven different names on the scoresheet, including a six-point haul from Catriona Davis and 1-1 from Niamh Richardson.

DEFENDING champions Cork collected their Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League victory of the season at the expense of Munster rivals Kerry on Sunday. Cork ran out 1-16 to 1-9 winners against the Kingdom in this Division 1 encounter but the visitors put up a spirited display and trailed by just two points at half-time. Cork are struggling for early season momentum but after losing to Dublin in their opening match and then seeing the proposed clash with Monaghan snowed off, the Rebelettes will be relieved to have secured a much-needed win.

Looking ahead for some championship pointers, Kerry will have travelled home optimistic that they can put up a better showing in Munster this year, having lost heavily to Cork in last year's provincial final. At half-time, Cork led by 1-7 to 0-8 as Nollaig Cleary's goal after ten minutes gave the home side the edge at the break. In the second half, both teams seemed in the mood to experiment as a number of substitutes came into the fray and Cork eventually pulled away to secure a comfortable win. Cork, playing without injured star Norita Kelly (Achilles) and Briege Corkery, who is abroad, will hope that this win will kick-start their season.

Form may be temporary but class is certainly permanent and once again, lethal forward Valerie Mulcahy led the way in the scoring stakes with seven points, including five frees. Rhona Ní Bhuachalla also impressed for the winners but defensively, Kerry gave Cork plenty to think about as Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Patrice Dennehy scored three points each, while Mairead Finnegan chipped in with two points.

Kerry's goal was scored five minutes from time as Mags O'Donoghue's free went all the way to the net but it wasn't enough for the visitors to take something from the game. In the early Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL standings, Cork lie in an unfamiliar sixth position in the table while Kerry are second from bottom on scoring difference after losing three successive games.

In Division 2, Sligo remain in the hunt for promotion but will be disappointed that they didn't take maximum points from Sunday's drawn encounter with Down at Kevinsfort in Sligo Town. The Yeats County led by nine points at half-time, 2-8 to 1-2, but a dramatic second half fightback secured a draw for Down, 2-10 apiece, and it was the Mourne County pushing for a dramatic win at the finish before time ran out.

Sligo failed to score during the last twenty minutes but they were rampant in the first half as Noelle Gormley and Sinead McTiernan scored goals to help open up a comfortable half-time advantage. Stephanie O'Reilly was causing endless problems for the Down defence with her direct running from centre forward but the visitors upped their game considerably in the second half. Orla Fegan's first half goal had left Down clinging to Sligo's coattails before Niamh Canavan at full back, centre back Catherine Boden, captain Kyla Trainer and midfielder Clara Fitzpatrick led the fightback.

Trainer's goal invigorated Down's challenge and it was young minor star Ciara Turley who scored the equalising point four minutes from time. The stalemate leaves Sligo third in Division 2 while Down are second from bottom and still looking for their first win of the campaign.

Mayo took advantage of the postponed Monaghan v Cork tie to move into third place in Division 1 of the Bord Gáis Energy National Ladies Football League on Sunday. The Westerners secured a 1-12 to 0-12 win against last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists Dublin to move just a single point behind joint leaders Laois and Galway.

Allstar forward Cora Staunton was in superb form for Mayo and a haul of ten points, including nine frees, was instrumental in her team's 1-12 to 0-12 success at Ballyheane. Staunton was also involved in Mayo's first half goal as her shot bounced back off the crossbar to Ciara Hanahoe, who picked up the pieces from close range.

Hanahoe's crucial goal helped Mayo to lead by 1-5 to 0-6 at half-time and the winners survived two sin-binnings in the second half to come away with a hard-fought success. Midfielders Fiona McLoughlin and Claire Egan were both yellow carded but Mayo dug in to claim a second win from three outings.

Sinead Ahern kicked four points for Dublin and midfielder Kim Flood added three points but the Jackies will be disappointed not to have taken something from this fixture. Mayo also had goalkeeper Yvonne Byrne to thank for a brilliant double save in the second half as the Connacht outfit moved into contention for a place in the latter stages of the competition.

In Division 2, Tipperary moved into second place behind Armagh as the Premier County won a fiercely-contested encounter against Munster rivals Clare in Meelick. Tipp and Clare will meet again in the senior championship later this year and the visitors struck an early psychological blow by scoring a 1-11 to 1-8 win. In what was a repeat of the 2008 All-Ireland intermediate final, Tipp led by 0-7 to 1-3 at half-time as Eimear Considine struck a fortuitous first half goal for the Banner County. Tipp were the more impressive outfit in the second half and Gillian O'Brien's goal proved decisive, while Patricia Hickey finished with 0-5 for the winners. Another boost for Tipperary was the return of the experienced Angie McDermott for her first game of the year, as a second half sub.

In Division 3, Longford moved firmly into contention behind Cavan and Wexford as the midlanders demolished Wexford by 1-13 to 1-2 at Emmet Park, Killoe. This tie was as good as over at half-time as the home side led by 1-6 to 0-1 and it was leading scorer Denis Murtagh who struck for the Longford goal. Murtagh finished with a personal haul of 1-7, all seven points from frees, while Tara Moloney responded with a second half consolation goal for outclassed Wexford.

In Division 4, Antrim moved into second place behind Leitrim following a 2-9 to 1-8 victory at home to Louth. Kate McMullan and Amy McAtamney were on target with the Antrim goals while Niamh Reid scored Louth's second half goal. McMullan's first half goal proved crucial as the sides finished the first half level at 1-4 to 0-7, before Antrim edged the second half.