Champions Cork put down a quick marker

Champions Cork began the defence of their Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 crown with a comfortable 11-point victory against an outclassed Donegal side yesterday.

Nollaig Cleary scored two goals for the Leesiders in Ballyshannon as Eamonn Ryan’s charges who led by 2-4 to 0-3 at half-time, made the long trip north a winning one by scoring a 4-9 to 1-7 victory.

Cleary, who scored 2-1, netted in both halves while Ciara O’Sullivan and Grace Kearney also raised green flags for the All-Ireland champions.