Cork and Laois earn final shot
The Rebels, chasing a fourth successive League crown, hammered last year’s Division Two champions Donegal (7-16 to 1-10) while Laois recorded a 2-11 to 1-10 victory over Monaghan in yesterday’s semi-finals.
At Tuam Stadium, Valerie Mulcahy was 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 while Grace Kearney grabbed the other goal.
Cork led 4-7 to 0-7 at half-time before Geraldine McLaughlin hit a consolation goal for Donegal in the second half.
Meanwhile, Laois, who will contest a first top flight decider since 2003, overturned a two-point half-time deficit to record an upset in Ballymahon, Longford.
Martha Kirwan and Sinead Doogue scored the goals for Laois, who trailed 1-5 to 1-7 at the break while Tracey Lawlor hit 0-6 for the O’Moore County.
All-Ireland senior champions Dublin and Leinster rivals Meath gained promotion to the top flight after winning their respective Division Two semi-finals.
Sinead Aherne, returned from injury to score 1-2 as Dublin outclassed Cavan 3-12 to 1-9 in Ardee. Noelle Healy also netted after a superb solo effort, before Aherne and top scorer Siobhan Woods, added further goals.
In Cahir yesterday, Vivienne McCormack’s first half goal proved the difference as Meath scored a 1-11 to 0-11 victory against last year’s beaten All-Ireland senior semi-finalists Kerry.
In Division 3, Clare and Fermanagh claimed the promotion spots 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, sisters Caroline and Sharon Little scored three goals, including two converted penalties, as the Erne County edged out Down by a point, 4-7 to 1-15.
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 ran out 2-15 to 2-6 winners over the Wee County.
