Aherne the ace for Dubs

Dublin maintained their unbeaten start to the National League, defeating Mayo by 2-12 to 2-09.

Nine-time All Star Cora Staunton scored 1-8 for the westerners but Sinead Aherne was in excellent scoring form too as the Dublin forward grabbed 1-7.

The Dublin’s inside line of Aherne, Lyndsey Davey and Siobhan Woods amassed 2-10, with Woods on target for Dublin’s second half goal.

Dublin were 1-5 to 0-3 clear midway through the first half, Aherne on target with the goal, but Mayo were back in it when Staunton converted a disputed penalty.

Doireann Hughes bagged a second goal for Mayo and the home side led by 2-5 to 1-6 at half-time.

But Dublin outscored Mayo by 1-6 to 0-4 in the second half and Woods scored the crucial goal to decide the tie

With Kerry’s clash with Laois called off, the basement battle between Tyrone and Donegal was the only other Division 1 fixture played.

And it was Tyrone who scored a crucial victory, with Gemma Begley netting all four goals for the Red Hands in a 4-6 to 1-8 success.

Westmeath are top of Division 2 after beating Down.

Meath, Cavan and Galway also scored victories in this group while in Division 3, there were wins for Leitrim, Sligo, Armagh and Waterford.