Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 final

Cork 4-15
Laois 3-9

By Jackie Cahill at Parnell Park

VALERIE Mulcahy bagged 1-8 as Cork claimed a fourth successive Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 title in front of a bumper Parnell Park attendance on Saturday evening.

Mulcahy was in scintillating form as the Rebelettes pulled away from a spirited Laois outfit in the final quarter to secure a nine-point victory in front of over 3,000 spectators.

Cork’s sixth Division 1 success in seven seasons will fuel optimism in the Rebel County that the team can reclaim the All-Ireland senior championship, having fallen at the quarter-final stage last season while in pursuit of the six-in-a-row.

But Laois, beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists last year, showed enough to suggest that they will be a force for the remainder of the summer in what promises to be a fascinating championship campaign.

With 49 minutes on the watch, Cork led by just a single point, 3-10 to 3-9, but the Leesiders hit an unanswered 1-5 before the finish to close the game out.

Mulcahy hit the goal that ultimately killed the Laois challenge; cheekily hitting a 20m free to the net in the 56th minute with the O’Moore County defence caught napping.

Mulcahy may have led the way in the scoring stakes but this was an impressive overall attacking performance from Cork, who played with the breeze in the second half.

Centre forward Orlagh Farmer bagged a goal in each half while Ciara O’Sullivan made a huge impact after coming off the bench, hitting three points from play.

For Laois, midfielder Tracey Lawlor bagged 1-5, including four points from frees, with Martha Kirwan and Anna Moore bagging the other goals.

And it was Laois who got off to a flyer as they moved 1-2 to 0-0 clear within five minutes of the throw-in.
Moore goaled with just 45 seconds on the watch but Cork, shell-shocked in the early stages, settled and were on terms by the 12th minute, thanks in main to Rhona Ní Bhuachalla’s tenth minute goal.

Orlagh Farmer took a pass from player of the match Amy O’Shea to score Cork’s second goal on the half-hour but just as it looked like the Munster champions would lead at half-time, Tracey Lawlor finished a flowing Laois move for a brilliant goal.

A Mulcahy free, her third of the opening half, tied the scores at 2-5 apiece at the midway point before Lawlor pushed Laois a point clear with the opening score of the second half in a seesaw battle.

In the 35th minute, Farmer struck again but there was a degree of controversy surrounding her second goal as referee Eugene O’Hare appeared at first to have signalled for a free out, before allowing the effort to stand after consulting with his umpires.

Anna Moore crashed a shot off the Cork crossbar as Laois refused to yield and from the follow-up, Martha Kirwan crashed a shot to the net to tie the scores again, 3-6 to 3-6, with 38 minutes played.

Mary Kirwan pushed Laois ahead for the final time in the match before Cork hit three points in a row, including a brace from Nollaig Cleary, to establish a 3-10 to 3-7 lead.

Laois responded with two Tracey Lawlor frees but that was as good as it got for the Leinster outfit as Cork turned up the heat to land the silverware.

Scorers for Cork: V Mulcahy 1-8 (1-5f), O Farmer 2-0, R Ní Bhuachalla 1-0, C O’Sullivan 0-3, N Cleary 0-2, G Kearney & D O’Reilly 0-1 each.

Scorers for Laois: T Lawlor 1-5 (0-4f), Martha Kirwan 1-1, A Moore 1-0, Mary Kirwan 0-2f, S Doogue 0-1.

CORK: E Harte; A.M. Walsh, Angela Walsh, D O’Reilly; B Corkery, B Stack, A Sheehan; J Murphy, Annie Walsh; N Cleary, O Farmer, G Kearney; V Mulcahy, R Ní Bhuachalla, A O’Shea.

Subs: Rena Buckley for Annie Walsh (36), G O’Flynn for Sheehan (43), C O’Sullivan for Ní Bhuachalla (49), M Kelly for Kearney (53), A Barrett for Corkery (60).

LAOIS: C Dollard; A Quigley, G Dunne, E Healy; A Taylor, L Hyland, J Moore; A Casey, T Lawlor; Mary Kirwan, A Moore, D Callinan; Martha Kirwan, S Doogue, G Weston.

Subs: M Dunne for Callinan (h.t.), M McEvoy for Martha Kirwan (44), O Farrell for Hyland (47), S Quigley for Weston (47), A Kehoe for Casey (60+3).

Referee: Eugene O’Hare (Down).

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2 final

Dublin 3-15
Meath 2-9

By Jackie Cahill at Parnell Park, Dublin

ACE forward Sinead Aherne scored nine points as Dublin claimed a comfortable nine-point victory in Saturday’s Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2 final. 

Aherne, player of the match in last year’s senior All-Ireland decider, was a pre-match injury doubt but started the showpiece Parnell Park decider in place of Siobhan Woods.

And St Sylvester’s star Aherne more than justified her inclusion with her match-winning haul, which included six frees.

Amy Ring, Olivia Leonard and Lyndsey Davey scored Dublin’s goals in this dress rehearsal for the forthcoming Leinster semi-final against Meath.

Dublin, who also had centre forward Elaine Kelly in free scoring form, were rarely troubled against their provincial rivals.

Centre forward Geraldine Doherty hit 1-4 from play for the Royal County as corner forward Vivienne McCormack chipped in with 1-2, the goal coming from a penalty in the 55th minute.

That successful effort cut Dublin’s lead to six points, 2-14 to 2-8, but Davey’s goal in the 60th minute put the icing on the cake for the Jackies, who collected a second Division 2 title in five seasons.

The sides were level twice in the early stages but once pre-match favourites Dublin stepped on the gas, Meath struggled to compete against the All-Ireland senior champions.

Amy Ring’s well-taken goal in the 18th minute handed Dublin a 1-5 to 0-3 lead and some breathing space, before Olivia Leonard netted five minutes later after Aherne’s initial effort was kept out by Meath netminder Irene Munnelly.

In the 25th minute, Kate O’Brien came close to goaling for Meath but her fierce shot crashed off the crossbar and over, with Dublin going on to lead by eight points at half-time, 2-7 to 0-5.

Dublin corner back Sinead Goldrick claimed the player of the match award as part of a formidable Sky Blue defence.

Dublin, relegated last year, and Meath will both operate in Division 1 of next year’s Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League.

Scorers for Dublin: S Aherne 0-9 (6f), E Kelly 0-4, L Davey, O Leonard & A Ring 1-0 each, N Healy & L Peat 0-1 each.

Scorers for Meath: G Doherty 1-4, V McCormack 1-2 (1-0 pen), K O’Brien, F Mahon (f) & E Duffy (f), 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: C O’Connor; S Goldrick, J O’Sullivan, A McKenna; G Fay, S Furlong, S McGrath; D Masterson, N McEvoy; L Davey, E Kelly, N Healy; S Aherne, O Leonard, A Ring.

Subs: L Peat for McEvoy (33), M Nevin for Leonard (36), S Woods for Ring (53), G O’Malley for McKenna (60+1), S McEvoy for Goldrick (temp, 60+4).

MEATH: I Munnelly; K Allen, E Rahill, A Murray; O Sheridan, S Bennett, B Lynch; K O’Brien, F Mahon; G Nulty, G Doherty, E Duffy; J Rispin, M Sheridan, V McCormack.

Subs: C O’Shaughnessy for Duffy (h.t.), A Carolan for Rispin (50), P Sheridan for Rahill (60+2).

Referee: Michael John O’Keeffe (Cork). 

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 3 final

Clare 3-10
Fermanagh 1-12

THREE second half goals sent Clare on their way to victory in the Bord Gáis Energy National Ladies Football League Division 3 final at Parnell Park on Saturday.

Marie Considine netted six minutes after the restart, Eimear Considine struck in the 42nd minute and Niamh O’Dea added the third goal seven minutes from the end.

But Clare, who led by seven points, 3-9 to 0-11, when O’Dea goaled, had to fend off a spirited Fermanagh fightback as Sharon Little’s 59th minute goal brought the Erne County back to within three points of the winners.
But O’Dea, who finished with 1-5, landed the insurance score as Clare, Division 2 champions in 2008, won by four points.

At half-time, the sides were deadlocked at five points apiece as goal chances went begging at both ends.
Shauna Hamilton rattled the Clare crossbar early on while O’Dea and Naomi Carroll were denied by a superb double save from Fermanagh goalkeeper Roisin Gleeson.

Both teams lost a player each to sin-binnings but Clare, operating with the breeze in the second half, netted the crucial breakthrough goal from midfielder Marie Considine, despite operating for the first ten minutes of the second half without centre forward and captain Niamh Keane.

Louise Henchy claimed the player of the match award following an inspirational display at midfield for Clare, on a day when Fermanagh’s Little sisters combined for 1-9.

Clare and Fermanagh will both play in Division 2 of the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League in 2012.

Scorers for Clare: N O’Dea 1-5 (0-2f), E Considine 1-1, M Considine 1-0, L Henchy 0-2 (1f), N Carroll & A Considine 0-1 each.

Scorers for Fermanagh: S Little 1-4 (0-1f), C Little 0-5f, M Connolly 0-2, A Moane 0-1.

CLARE: E O’Driscoll; C Hester, L Kelly, L Ryan; E O’Connor, R McMahon, L Woods; M Considine, L Henchy; C Corry, N Keane, N Carroll; E Considine, N O’Dea, S Bohannon.

Subs: A Considine for Corry (h.t), K Geoghegan for Carroll (53), S Eustace for Bohannon (55), C Considine for Hester (59), C O’Leary for O’Dea (60+2).

FERMANAGH: R Gleeson; C Woods, N Curran, O Reihill; D Murphy, T Little, T Melanaphy; M Connolly, A Moane; S Hamilton, S Little, L McFrederick; N McManus, C Little, A McBrien.

Subs: K McManus for Hamilton (37), J Doonan for McFrederick (46), R O’Reilly for Woods (57), A Maguire for McManus (58), L Slevin for Melanaphy (59).

Referee: Des McEnery (Westmeath).

By Jackie Cahill

WESTMEATH’S thoughts are turning towards the championship following Saturday’s historic success in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 4 final.

The Lake County, beaten Division 3 finalists in 2007, captured a very first League crown with a hard-fought 1-11 to 2-6 victory against Roscommon at Cusack Park, Ennis.

And the prospect of further silverware presents itself on June 22 when Westmeath tackle Longford in the Leinster intermediate final.

Westmeath chairperson Geraldine Giles, former President of the National Ladies Gaelic Football Association, described Westmeath’s weekend victory as “huge”.

She explained: “Two years ago we were looking at installing a new management team.

“We had players willing to put on the county jersey but there was no structure in place. And yet we knew we had talent because our U16 team reached the (2009) All-Ireland B semi-final.

“Last year we put a management team in place and tried to build from there.

“But we had a late start and were relegated from Division 3. But a lot of the work put in has paid dividends now. We were too strong for Division 4 all year, winning our games well, and it was always a toss-up between ourselves and Roscommon for the divisional title.”

Giles added that the manner of Saturday’s victory pleased her most, with Westmeath overturning a 0-7 to 1-6 half-time deficit to clinch the win.

She said: “They had to come from behind, which they hadn’t been used to all year. The first goal has now been achieved. Two goals were set out this year – the League title and the Leinster intermediate championship.

“Progression in the championship is another story because we have a tough task, in a similar group to last year with Fermanagh and Cavan, who are playing at a higher grade of football. That’s a major challenge for us and the work starts now.”

On Saturday, top scorer and player of the match Karen Hegarty’s second half goal ultimately proved the difference between Westmeath and Roscommon.

Jenny Downey’s 12th minute goal handed the Rossies an early tonic but they could only manage a goal in the second half as wind-assisted Westmeath hit 1-4.

Sub Cliodhna McHugh’s goal for Roscommon midway through the second half cut the Westmeath lead back to just a single point but the winners responded strongly to close the game out.

Scorers for Westmeath: K Hegarty 1-4, E Morris 0-2, L Walsh, E Finn, F Claffey, K Sommers & S Dolan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Roscommon: J Downey 1-3, C McHugh 1-0, S Cooney 0-2, C Grehan 0-1.

By Jackie Cahill

DEFENDING champions Cork will meet Laois in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 final on Saturday, May 7.

Rampant Cork, chasing a fourth successive League crown, hammered last year's Division 2 champions Donegal by 7-16 to 1-10 in their semi-final at Tuam Stadium on Sunday while Laois recorded a 2-11 to 1-10 victory over Monaghan in Ballymahon, Longford, on Sunday.

Those results have set up a first Division 1 final meeting between Cork and Laois since 1993. At Tuam Stadium, all six of Cork's starting forwards scored goals as the holders outclassed Donegal.

Valerie Mulcahy finished as top scorer for the Leesiders with 1-5, Orla Farmer bagged 2-1, Amy O'Shea hit 1-3, Rhona Buckley and Nollaig Cleary collected 1-2 each and Grace Kearney grabbed the other goal.

Cork led by 4-7 to 0-7 at half-time before Geraldine McLaughlin hit a consolation goal for Donegal in the second half from a penalty.

Meanwhile, Laois overturned a two-point half-time deficit to record what will be viewed as an upset against Monaghan.

Martha Kirwan and Sinead Doogue scored the goals for Laois, who trailed by 1-5 to 1-7 at the break, on a day when Tracey Lawlor hit 0-6 for the O'Moore County.

Aoife McAnespie scored Monaghan's first half goal but Cora Courtney saw her second half penalty saved by Laois goalkeeper Ciamh Dollard.

Laois introduced their full compliment of five subs and fresh legs made a huge difference in the second half as the winners held on to reach a first Division 1 final since 2003.

In Division 2, All-Ireland senior champions Dublin and Leinster rivals Meath gained promotion to the top flight after winning their respective semi-finals at the weekend.

Sinead Aherne, player of the match in last year's All-Ireland final, returned from injury in the second half and scored 1-2 as Dublin outclassed Cavan by 3-12 to 1-9 in Ardee on Saturday.

Five of Dublin's six forwards were on target in the first half as the Sky Blues opened up a 0-9 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Noelle Healy put the game beyond doubt with Dublin's first goal of the second half, a superb solo effort, before Aherne and top scorer Siobhan Woods, an emerging talent, added further goals.

Cavan battled hard all the way to the finish and with the last kick of the game, Aisling Traynor scored a consolation goal.

Dublin will take on Meath in the Division 2 final, in what will be a dress rehearsal for their forthcoming provincial semi-final.

In Cahir on Sunday, Meath scored a 1-11 to 0-11 victory against last year's beaten All-Ireland senior semi-finalists Kerry.

Vivienne McCormack scored the first half goal for the Royal County which ultimately separated the teams as Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh landed 0-4 for the defeated Kingdom.

Meath led by 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time in glorious sunshine and had Elaine Duffy to thank for a haul of 0-4 at the finish, while Katie O'Brien hit 0-3.

In Division 3, Clare and Fermanagh claimed the promotion spots and final places on offer, with varying degrees of difficulty on Saturday.

Eimear Considine hit 2-1 and Niamh O'Dea added 1-5 as Clare enjoyed a comfortable 5-13 to 2-12 victory against Wicklow in Templetuohy.

And in a thrilling semi-final between Fermanagh and Down, the Erne County edged out Down by a single point, 4-7 to 1-15.

Caroline Little netted two penalties for Fermanagh as sister Sharon and Nuala McManus scored the other goals for the winners.

And in Division 4, Westmeath and Roscommon bounced straight back to Division 3 as they came through their respective semi-finals against Offaly and Louth.

Emma Morris scored 0-10 for Westmeath against Offaly on Saturday evening as the Lake County recorded a double scores 2-22 to 1-11 victory.

And Cliodhna McHugh scored two goals for Roscommon as they came from two points down at half-time to run out 2-15 to 2-6 winners over the Wee County.

By Jackie Cahill

TIPPERARY preserved their Division 2 status in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League with a crucial 2-13 to 0-11 victory against Armagh in a relegation shoot-out in Templemore on Sunday.

Gillian O’Brien was the scoring star for the Premier County as a haul of 2-4, including 2-1 in the space of three second half minutes, ensured that the hosts will be playing Division 2 football again in 2012.

Armagh’s defeat consigned them to relegation from Division 3 as the understrength Orchard County struggled to cope with Tipperary’s firepower.

At half-time, Tipperary led by 0-10 to 0-3 and they pushed on after the restart with O’Brien netting in the eighth minute of the second half, before she added another goal and a point within the space of two minutes.

Armagh had the chance to haul themselves back into contention but they missed a penalty chance midway through the second half as Tipperary goalkeeper Nora Noonan secured a ‘clean sheet.’

Tipperary full-forward Mairead Morrissey may have chipped in with just a point from play but she was the fulcrum in attack for the winners, with intelligent interplay creating scoring chances for team-mates.

Patricia Hickey bagged five points for Tipperary while centre back Sile Carew was another inspirational figure in this priceless win.

Caroline O’Hanlon fought valiantly for Armagh, landing six points for the visitors.

Armagh scorers: C O’Hanlon 0-6, M McAlinden 0-2, C Lennon & C Malone 0-1 each.

Tipperary scorers: G O’Brien 2-4, P Hickey 0-5, S Costello 0-2, M Morrissey & G Bulfin 0-1 each.

By Jackie Cahill

LAST year's beaten Division 1 finalists Galway were relegated and Laois claimed a place in this year's semi-finals on a dramatic final afternoon of group fixtures in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League. Laois and Galway drew 0-12 apiece at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise and that result was enough to leave the hosts in fourth position in Division 1 while also relegating the Tribeswomen.

Monaghan finished top of the table ahead of Cork and the Farney girls will now take on Laois in the semi-finals, with holders Cork set to do battle with last year's Division 2 champions Donegal. In Sunday's big Ulster derby at St Mellans Park, Truagh, hosts Monaghan produced a powerful display as they defeated Donegal by 3-14 to 1-7.

Caoimhe Mohan scored 2-5 for Monaghan as Ciara McAnespie, one of the stars of DCU's recent O'Connor Cup success, notched the other goal for last year's beaten Division 1 semi-finalists. Therese McNally helped herself to four points for Monaghan, who led by 2-6 to 1-2 at half-time, as Ellen McCarron (3), Natasha Mohan and Aoife McAnespie also raised white flags.

Yvonne McMonagle carried the fight to Monaghan with a personal haul of 1-6 for Donegal, including 0-5 from frees, but Gráinne Houston was the only other scorer for the outclassed visitors. In Division 2, Sligo are relegated while Tipperary and Armagh will fight it out next weekend in a winner-takes-all survival showdown.

All-Ireland senior champions Dublin finished on top of the table ahead of Kerry and the Sky Blues will meet fourth-placed Cavan in the semi-finals, with Kerry taking on Meath.

Waterford, 2010 All-Ireland intermediate runners-up, staved off the threat of relegation with a 4-8 to 1-8 victory away to Armagh in Killeavy.

Michelle McGrath, Maria Delahunty, Aileen Wall and Sinead Ryan scored the Déise goals on a day when Michelle Ryan landed five points.

Maebh Moriarty hit Armagh's goal and the Orchard County must now beat Tipp in the division's outstanding game to avoid the drop.

In Division 3, Clare and Fermanagh drew 1-18 to 4-9 on Saturday in Clarecastle and in the semi-finals, table-toppers Clare will meet Wicklow while second-placed Fermanagh tackle Down. Caroline Little scored 2-5 for Fermanagh while sister Sharon added 2-2 on an afternoon when Niamh O'Dea hit 1-8 for Clare.

As things stand, Limerick and Longford are relegated from Division 3 while in Division 4, Antrim are squeezed out of a top four finish on score difference, with table-toppers Westmeath to face Offaly and Roscommon to play Louth in the last four.

However, Ladies Football Association officials will meet on Monday to bring certainty to the relegation issue from Division 3 and the promotion picture in Division 4 as some games have been conceded recently, with scoring differences affected as a result.

By Jackie Cahill

FORMER champions Mayo were relegated from Division 1 of the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League after losing a crunch basement battle against Tyrone on Sunday.

Last year's beaten All-Ireland senior finalists Tyrone scored a crucial 3-10 to 3-8 victory against the Westerners at Eskra to ensure that they will be playing top flight football in 2012.

Laois, Galway or Kildare will join Mayo in Division 2 next year and if results go their way, Tyrone could yet secure fourth place in the table and a place in the semi-finals.

However, Tyrone face a daunting final fixture away from home against champions Cork while the two teams directly below Tyrone in the table, Laois and Galway, are in direct opposition next Sunday.

On Sunday, a 1-7 haul from Mayo's Cora Staunton wasn't enough as the relegation trapdoor swung open and snared Jason Taniane's team.

But pointless Mayo, who lost their sixth successive game, can count themselves unfortunate not to have secured a lifeline as they were undone by a late Gemma Begley goal.

Mayo also led by 2-5 to 1-4 at half-time as Staunton and Ciara Hanahoe struck their first half goals, with Laura McCreesh on target for Tyrone.

And in the second half, Clodagh Poyntz missed a Tyrone penalty before Triona McNicholas goaled at the other end for Mayo.

3-5 to 1-7 clear, Mayo were further boosted when Tyrone forward Gemma Begley was sin-binned and a point from Staunton stretched Mayo's lead to five points.

But McCreesh hit her second goal of the game to haul Tyrone back into contention and in a dramatic finish, Begley pounced for a priceless winning goal before Poyntz shot the Ulster outfit two points clear with the final white flag of the game.

Mayo's dismal afternoon ended with the dismissal of Fiona McHale on a straight red card in the dying moments.

In Division 2, goals from Caroline Reen and Mags O'Donoghue helped last year's beaten All-Ireland senior semi-finalists Kerry to victory against hosts Waterford in the Munster derby at Fraher Field, Dungarvan.

Table-toppers Kerry, who led by 2-8 to 0-5 at half-time, made it six wins from six against last year's beaten All-Ireland intermediate finalists Waterford. Aileen Wall scored a second half goal for the Déise but their hopes of a top four finish were ended with this defeat.

In Division 3, Wicklow fired themselves into the top four with a crucial 4-11 to 4-10 victory against fellow challengers Leitrim.

Caoilfhioon Deeney (2), Niamh Coleman and Lucy Mulhall scored the Wicklow goals in a thriller as Roisin Fowley and Aine Tighe hit a brace each for Leitrim.

And in Division 4, Cliodhna McHugh bagged four goals for rampant Roscommon as they defeated Antrim by 5-24 to 1-3 to remain second in the table behind Westmeath.

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League round up week ending 12th & 13th March

By Jackie Cahill

LAST year’s Division 2 champions Donegal have booked their place in the Division 1 semi-finals of the 2011 Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League.

The All-Ireland intermediate champions defeated pointless Mayo in Ballyshannon on Sunday as Geraldine McLaughlin bagged a hat-trick of goals.

Donegal’s fourth win from five Division 1 outings this season means they will definitely finish in the top four – with Monaghan and holders Cork also assured of semi-final places.

Donegal made sure with a 3-4 to 1-8 win against relegation-haunted Mayo – who slumped to a fifth successive defeat.

Two first half goals from McLaughlin helped Donegal to lead by 2-3 to 0-7 at half-time, as Mayo responded with six points from Cora Staunton and a Lisa Cafferky point.

But crucially, Staunton had a penalty saved by Donegal goalkeeper Roisin McCafferty and the north-westerners held firm in the second half to claim the win.

McLaughlin and Triona McNicholas traded second half goals while Yvonne McMonagle scored a second half point to take her match tally to 0-4.

At the wrong end of the table, Mayo must now win their remaining two matches and hope that results elsewhere go their way to have any hope of avoiding the drop.

In Division 2, All-Ireland senior champions Dublin won the Leinster derby against Meath by 2-15 to 1-8 at Naomh Mearnóg.

Dublin remain second behind Kerry in the table but will contest a divisional semi-final barring a catastrophic collapse and a mathematical miracle in the remaining two rounds of group matches.

Two first half goals from Lyndsey Davey aided Dublin’s cause as the Sky Blues, who had Noelle Healy in scintillating form, led by 2-10 to 0-2 at half-time.

Dublin scored the first two points of the second half to move 16 clear but Meath, to their credit, never gave up and outscored the Jackies by 1-5 to 0-3 in the final quarter.

Elaine Duffy, who scored 1-2, netted a consolation goal for the Royal County from a penalty in what was a physical encounter between the neighbours.

Meanwhile, Clare remain on course for a swift return to Division 2 after maintaining their 100 per cent record in Division 3.

Niamh Keane, Eimear Considine and Louise Henchy scored the goals for the Banner County in a 3-13 to 1-10 victory against Wexford in Enniscorthy.

And in Division 4, Roscommon’s previously unbeaten record went as Westmeath strengthened their grip at the top of the table with a 0-17 to 2-6 victory at Kinnegad.

Meanwhile, Wexford’s Pat Quill was voted in for a second successive term as President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association at annual Congress in Limerick over the weekend.

Quill is entering the final year of his current three-year stint but was installed as President elect unopposed when Ulster chairman Hugh Devaney, who was also nominated for the position, withdrew from the race.

Quill previously served as Ladies President from 1985-88 before taking up the position again in 2008.

Meanwhile, the position of National Development officer was filled by former Mayo player and current Galway chairman Con Moynihan, who takes over from Derry’s Joe Lagan.

By Cian Murphy

Galway registered their first win of the league campaign - but only after they survived a massive dogfight with their neighbours and rivals Mayo in Ballindine yesterday.

With Galway having drawn two of their previous three games and Mayo ropoted ot the bottom and desperate for a first win this was always going to be a closely fought encounter.

And it was the Tribes women who raced into a commanding lead and were 1-10 to 0-6 up at half time thanks to the accuracy of Tracey Leonard from frees with good support from Sarah Murphy.

When Yvonne Daly crashed in a goal in the 18th minute it put Galway in the driving seat over a Mayo team who, in truth, were overly reliant on the masterful Cora Staunton who finished the day with 1-8 in all.

Mayo were much improved in the second half with Martha Carter dominant at midfield and Lisa Cafferkey helping Staunton carry the scoring burden as Galway began to pay a high price for failing to sustain their first half pressure.

When star forward Staunton raided inside for a Mayo goal it cut the gap to two points with 11 minutes to go.

But just when it looked as if Galway were about to be rattled, Tracey Leonard, who scored 0-10 in all, picked off some important frees to lift the siege for last year’s beaten division one finalists.

In a cracking last 10 minutes Mayo came looking for a second goal and right at the finish Cora Staunton beat two defenders and squared the ball perfectly for Ciara Hanahoe in front of the net – but the advancing Galway keeper Tina Hayes averted the danger.

There was a big shock in division two where All-Ireland champions and promotion pace setters Dublin were beaten 2-7 to 1-8 by Cavan in Maghera.

Cavan were the better side in wet conditions and were helped into a 1-5 to 0-5 interval lead by an Aisling Traynor goal in the 22nd minute when her speculative ball into the square deceived the Dublin defence and fell into Emma Merrigan’s net.

A second goal from Cavan’s top scorer Aisling Doonan surged the Breiffni women ahead, but the All-Ireland champions showed their class to kick the next three points before Amy McGuinness scored a goal to level.

The Dubs, who had their All-Ireland winning captain Denise Masterson sin-binned, brought on big guns to try and sway the momentum, but a hard working Cavan refused to yield with Aisling Traynor to the fore and Doonan finishing with 1-4.

In division three Clare stayed unbeaten as they proved much too strong for a game Limerick, winning 2-17 to 2-8 and with Niamh O’Dea scoring an impressive 2-8 of Limerick’s total.

Westmeath made it four wins from four in division four with a commanding 5-9 to 1-5 win over Offaly. Westmeath led 2-6 to 0-1 at half time thanks to goals from Karen Hegarty and Katie Somers with Sarah Dolan also prominent.

In the second half Offaly peppered the Westmeath goal – but the league leaders were repeatedly saved by stand in ‘keeper Triona Durkan who is normally a wing back but was in for the injured Gemma Leahy and was outstanding at thwarting Offaly’s main threat Kym Furey.

Sarah Dolan finished with 1-5 and Katie Somers 2-0 as Westmeath took a massive stride towards promotion.

By Jackie Cahill

FORMER champions Mayo are fighting against relegation in Division 1 of the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League after suffering a third successive defeat on Sunday.

In a repeat of the 2009 final, holders Cork ran out 2-17 to 2-7 winners against the Westerners at Cork IT.

All four goals arrived in the opening half before the Leesiders, who led by 2-7 to 2-4 at half-time, cruised to a second win from three outings.

This fixture was postponed originally due to bad weather and after losing to Monaghan last weekend, Cork were anxious to bounce back with a victory here.

Valerie Mulcahy, who has been in scintillating form so far this season, was Cork's leading scorer again, finishing with a 1-6 haul.

The ace corner forward scored the game's opening goal but Mayo's two-goal star Triona McNicholas replied immediately as the sides traded goals in the early minutes.

Grace Kearney fired home a brilliant second goal for Cork before McNicholas struck again for Mayo, with Cora Staunton again providing the assist.

Staunton, who scored 0-5, including four from play, was denied by the woodwork on two occasions but her influence diminished in the second half as Cork gained a firm grip.

Annie Walsh, the returning Bríd Stack and experienced midfielder Juliet Murphy led the Cork charge against a Mayo team still finding its feet under new manager Jason Taniane.

In Division 3, Fermanagh joined Clare on top of the table with a resounding 4-15 to 0-7 victory against Limerick at Ahane on Saturday.

The hosts badly missed star forward Dymphna O'Brien, who was exam-tied, while defender Alva Neary was also absent.

Fermanagh took full advantage to claim a 20-point win, as Nuala McManus led the way in the scoring stakes with 2-2.

McManus, a minor player of rich potential, has recently joined the Erne County's senior squad.

At half-time, Fermanagh led by 2-5 to 0-4 and the winners outscored their outclassed opponents by 2-10 to 0-3 in the second half.

The Little sisters, Caroline and Sharon, scored the other Fermanagh goals as the Ulster outfit remain firmly on course for promotion to Division 2.

In Division 4, Roscommon and Westmeath continue to lead the way after both counties recorded comfortable victories on Sunday.

Roscommon scored a 1-9 to 0-3 win against Louth at Kiltoom as Natalie McHugh top scored with 1-2.

Roscommon led by 0-7 to 0-0 at half-time and although Louth got off the mark in the second half, they were too far behind to launch a meaningful fightback.

On their visit to Thomastown, Westmeath experienced few difficulties as they defeated hosts Kilkenny by 3-17 to 1-3.

A big wind favoured Kilkenny in the first half and they put up a creditable showing before the break, going in 1-3 to 2-6 in arrears.

Captain Elaine Finn, Karen Hegarty and Ruth Kearney scored the Lake County goals as Jenny Reddy raised Kilkenny's green flag in the first half.

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League round-up 3 19th/20th February 2011

By Jackie Cahill

MONAGHAN defeated champions Cork on Sunday to continue their 100 per cent start in Division 1 of the 2011 Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League.

The Farney County held on for a 1-13 to 2-7 victory against the Leesiders at Emyvale to make it three wins from three outings in this year’s competition.

In the process, Monaghan atoned for last year’s semi-final defeat against Cork but they had to withstand a spirited fightback from the holders, who had trailed by 1-2 to 1-9 at half-time.

Monaghan took full advantage of a strong breeze in the first half to open up a seven-point interval lead, roaring into an early five-point advantage before Cork came storming back.

A 12th minute goal from Amy O’Shea and two points from Valerie Mulcahy tied the scores at 1-2 to 0-5 but all six Monaghan forwards were on target during the course of an impressive first half attacking display.

Monaghan replied to depleted Cork’s early revival by hitting another 1-4 before the break, with Ciara McAnespie supplying the home side’s goal in the 25th minute.

Monaghan were content to sit back and soak up the Cork pressure in the second half and while Mulcahy converted a penalty awarded for a foot block by Monaghan goalkeeper goalkeeper Edel Corrigan, the hosts claimed a deserved win.

In Division 2, Dublin won the battle of the 2010 All-Ireland champions as the senior winners defeated intermediate champions Waterford by 3-20 to 1-6 at St Finian’s, Newcastle, on Saturday.

Dublin, relegated from Division 1 last year, are on course for a rapid return to the top flight and a comprehensive 19-point ensured a third victory of the league season from three matches.

There was some confusion surrounding the full-time score, with Dublin observers chalking the hosts down for 3-20, while the match referee recorded 3-19.

At half-time, Dublin had this match in the bag after opening up a 2-11 to 0-1 lead with a devastating first half display.

Full-forward Sinead Ahern, the star of last year’s All-Ireland senior final, helped herself to 2-4 in this game and her two first half goals, the second from a penalty, helped to open up a 16-point interval lead.

Michelle Ryan’s 19th minute free was all Waterford had to show for their first half display but Ryan did add three more points in the second half, with Aileen Wall grabbing a consolation goal.

Amy Ring added gloss to the final scoreline from a Dublin perspective with the home side’s third goal, while Lyndsey Davey went close to a fourth minutes before the end.

In Division 3, All-Ireland junior champions Limerick, who lost their opening match against Down, collected their first point of the League campaign with a home draw against Leitrim, 1-6 apiece.

Ace forward Dymphna O’Brien was the star of the show for Limerick in Rathkeale with a 1-5 haul, including the equalising point towards the finish.

Leitrim led by 1-4 to 1-2 at half-time as Sarah McLoughin scored the game’s opening goal for Leitrim, with O’Brien responding in kind for the Shannonsiders.

And in Division 4, captain Elaine Finn scored 3-4 for Westmeath on Saturday evening as the hosts demolished Antrim on a 3-23 to 0-4 scoreline at Kinnegad.

At half-time, the Lake County were 1-14 to 0-3 clear before Finn completed her hat-trick of goals in the second half as Westmeath surged to the top of the table with two wins from two matches.

by Jackie Cahill

ULSTER champions Monaghan cruised to victory against beaten 2010 All-Ireland finalists Tyrone as the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League swung into action on Sunday.

Monaghan laid down a real marker for the coming season with a devastating attacking display as off-colour Tyrone slumped to a 0-7 to 2-14 defeat at Emyvale.

At half-time, Monaghan led by 2-7 to 0-5 as Caoimhe Mohan and top scorer Catriona McConnell struck the first half goals for the Farney County.

Monaghan raced into an early four-point lead before Gemma Begley hit Tyrone's first point in the tenth minute.

But goals for Mohan, after twenty minutes, and McConnell three minutes later put Monaghan on the road to victory, despite losing key defender Isobel Kierans to a sin-binning.

Incredibly, Tyrone's seventh point 12 minutes after half-time was their last score of the game as Monaghan piled on the agony with a run of seven unanswered points.

Goalkeeper Edel Monaghan preserved a 'clean sheet' with a couple of fine saves in the second half while Tyrone's misery was complete late on when inspirational defender Sinead McLaughlin was sin-binned.

In Division 2, All-Ireland champions Dublin began their campaign in ominous fashion with an emphatic 2-17 to 1-4 victory against Armagh.

The Sky Blues were relegated from Division 1 last year and on yesterday's evidence, they are desperately keen to return to the top flight.

Dublin, who led by 0-8 to 0-3 at half-time, pulled away in the second half as Orla Egan bagged both goals for the hosts at Fingallians.

But it was Armagh who struck for the opening goal of the game early in the second half as Kelly Mallon pounced from close range after former Allstar goalkeeper Cliodhna O'Connor had prevented a long-range free from going over the bar.

But Dublin, with six current Allstars in their starting line-up, hit back with a brace from Egan, who netted 18 minutes into the second half and again before full-time to seal a comfortable win.

Sinead Ahern, player of the match in last year's All-Ireland final, hit four points while Amy McGuinness, Lyndsey Davey, Noelle Healy and Elaine Kelly also impressed.

In Division 3, Clare also signalled their determination to bounce back from last year's relegation with an opening day 2-9 to 0-7 victory against Down.

Eimear Considine was the provider for Niamh O'Dea's two goals as the Banner County secured an eight-point victory at Miltown-Malbay.

Clare led by 1-5 to 0-6 at half-time but it wasn't until late in the day that the hosts pulled away against a Down team inspired by Kyla Trainor, who scored all of the Mourne County's first half points.

In Division 4, last year's beaten divisional semi-finalists Antrim will be a force to be reckoned with after crushing provincial rivals Derry 5-15 to 0-9 on the opening day.

Remarkably, Derry led by 0-9 to 0-4 after twenty minutes but failed to register a score for the remainder of the game.

Antrim led by 2-6 to 0-9 at half-time and ran riot in the second half as Mairead Cooper (2), Claire Timoney, Anna Finnegan and Rachel Fulton scored the goals for the Saffrons.

Results:

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1:

Donegal 4-13 Galway 2-9
Laois 1-10 Kildare 4-10
Monaghan 2-14 Tyrone 0-7

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2:

Sligo 2-5 Cavan 3-11
Waterford 1-4 Meath 4-14
Kerry 2-17 Tipperary 1-7
Dublin 2-17 Armagh 1-4

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 3:

Clare 2-9 Down 0-7
Leitrim 3-15 Wexford 1-4
Longford 2-8 Wicklow 2-9

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 4:

Carlow 2-6 Offaly 2-11
Derry 0-9 Antrim 5-15

by Jackie Cahill

LETHAL forward Valerie Mulcahy scored 3-3 as defending champions Cork beat Kildare in their first Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League match of the new season.

Cork's proposed opening fixture against Mayo fell foul of the weather last weekend but the Munster champions blew off the cobwebs to inflict a first defeat of the season on Kildare, who had beaten Laois in their first match.

Cork ran out 4-11 to 0-15 winners away from home in Ballykelly and it was three second half goals that eventually accounted for the home side on Sunday.

At half-time, Cork held a slender one-point lead, 1-5 to 0-7, and a plucky Kildare outfit went ahead in the second half before Cork scored the matchwinning goals.

Mulcahy's sixth minute penalty handed Cork an early boost but Kildare refused to be overawed and the eventual eight-point margin of victory flattered the Leesiders.

Mulcahy grabbed a second goal 12 minutes into the second half, Nollaig Cleary raised Cork's green flag seven minutes later before Mulcahy completed her hat-trick five minutes from time.

The experienced trio of Mulcahy, Juliet Murphy and Cleary, who scored 1-3, were central figures in this Cork victory which will have gone some way towards erasing any lingering memories from last year's shock All-Ireland quarter-final defeat against Tyrone.

For Kildare, Catherine O'Malley and Mary Hulgraine both scored four points and were leading players for the Lilywhites, who were on top for spells during the game.

In Division 2, last year's beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists Kerry made it two wins from two in this season's Bord Gáis Energy National League with a 1-13 to 2-5 victory against hosts Cavan in Bawnboy.

But the visitors, who had roared into an early 1-3 to 0-0 lead, had to withstand a late Cavan fightback before securing maximum points on their travels.

Sarah Houlihan scored a superb early goal to set Kerry on their way but they survived a real scare when Dana Clerkin missed a first half penalty for Cavan.

At half-time, the Kingdom led comfortably by 1-8 to 0-2 but Cavan were a team transformed after the break and a 34th minute goal from Sinead Green rallied the large home support.

Clerkin atoned for her earlier penalty miss by scoring a well-taken goal with eight minutes of normal time remaining to bring Cavan to within two points of Kerry, trailing by 2-5 to 1-10.

But when the chips were down, Kerry stayed cool and points from Emma Sherwood, Caroline Reen and Patrice Dennehy helped to stave off the Breffni fightback.

In Division 3, Down bounced back from their opening day defeat against Clare by scoring a 1-11 to 1-5 victory against 2010 All-Ireland junior champions Limerick.

This was Limerick's first outing of the new campaign and the extra match practice that Down had under their belts served the Mourne County well at Saval.

At half-time, Down led by 1-4 to 1-2 as the hosts responded well to an early penalty from Limerick's scoring machine Dymphna O'Brien, who was held to 1-1.

Down had an impressive scoring contribution from Kyla Trainor, who scored 1-2, and five points from Aileen Pyers were also crucial in this six-point win.

And in Division 4, Antrim made it two wins from two outings with a 3-14 to 0-11 victory against Offaly at St Mary's Grammar School, Belfast.

Claire Timoney, Maeve McCurdy and Rachel Fulton scored the goals for the Saffrons as Offaly suffered defeat for the first time this season, having collected an opening day success against Carlow.

Results:

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1:

Donegal 5-7 Laois 0-10
Mayo 1-8 Monaghan 3-13
Kildare 0-15 Cork 4-11
Tyrone 1-13 Galway 2-10

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2:

Meath 3-18 Armagh 1-6
Waterford 4-16 Sligo 0-9
Tipperary 0-7 Dublin 3-21
Cavan 2-5 Kerry 1-13

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 3:

Fermanagh 4-12 Wicklow 2-7
Leitrim 2-10 Clare 6-11
Down 1-11 Limerick 1-5
Wexford 1-13 Longford 1-7

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 4:

Antrim 3-14 Offaly 0-11
Carlow 1-4 Louth 3-11
Westmeath 4-23 Derry 0-2
Roscommon 4-27 Kilkenny 0-4