Tyrone send Mayo down

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

The Ulster ladies won 3-10 to 3-8 at Eskra to ensure they will be playing top-flight football in 2012. A 1-7 haul from Cora Staunton wasn’t enough as Mayo were undone by a late Gemma Begley goal.

Mayo 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 for Mayo.

McCreesh hit her second goal of the game to haul Tyrone back into contention and in a dramatic finish, Begley pounced for the winning goal before Poyntz shot them two points clear.

In Division 2, goals from Caroline Reen and Mags O’Donoghue helped Kerry maintain their 100% record as they defeated Waterford 2-15 to 1-10.

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

And in Division 4, Cliodhna McHugh bagged four goals for Roscommon as they defeated Antrim 5-24 to 1-3.