Monaghan draw but still go tops

MONAGHAN had to settle for a draw at home to Laois in the top flight of the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League but a point was still good enough to send the Farney county to the top of the table.

Monaghan sit top of the pile on points difference ahead of Dublin, Laois and Galway following the second round.

Noirin Kirwan scored a late equalising point for Laois as they secured a 1-9 to 2-6 draw at Inniskeen. The sides were level at the break (1-4 to 0-7) with Edel Byrne hitting a brilliant goal for Monaghan in the 28th minute while the experienced Kirwan and Tracey Lawlor kept the midlanders in touch.

Therese McNally netted a second Monaghan goal eight minutes after the restart but Martina Dunne responded in kind for the O’Moore girls six minutes later and in a tit-for-tat finish, both sides traded the lead before the final whistle

In Division 2, Armagh roared to the top of the table with their second victory from two outings.

The Orchard County secured a narrow 2-13 to 3-9 victory against Donegal at Carracruppen as new star Kelly Mallon played a leading role for the winners.

Meanwhile, Cavan moved into the promotion picture in Division 3 as they came away from Longford with a 0-13 to 0-3 victory while in Division 4, Leitrim moved to the top of the table as they secured a 3-16 to 4-11 victory against promotion rivals Antrim at the Leitrim Village Community Centre.