Majestic Mulcahy again key for Cork
Nine-time All-Ireland winner Mulcahy scored 1-7, including six pointed frees, as her side came from behind to claim victory against hosts Mayo in Swinford.
New Mayo captain Cora Staunton hit seven points but it couldn’t prevent Eamonn Ryan’s charges securing maximum points.
At half-time, Sarah Roe’s goal had helped Mayo to a 1-6 to 1-3 lead, with Mulcahy netting for Cork.
But in the first ten minutes of the second half, the visitors ran riot and were 2-8 to 1-6 clear within ten minutes of the restart, with Grace Kearney the goal scorer.
Mayo rallied with points from Staunton and Niamh Kelly to reduce the deficit to two points but the home side failed to score thereafter.
Last year’s League and All-Ireland finalists Dublin defeated Monaghan (0-12 to 0-3).
Dublin led 0-7 to 0-1 at half-time, with Cathriona McConnell registering Monaghan’s only score.
Carla Rowe hit four points and Sarah McCaffrey chipped in with three for the winners.
Galway whipped hapless Laois by 26 points. Galway full-forward Tracey Leonard bagged 3-3 with Lucy Hannon, Gillian O’Connor and Aoife Newell scoring goals.
Hannon and Leonard had green flags in the first half as Galway established a 4-9 to 0-1 interval lead. Charlotte Delaney grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors as Galway romped to a 6-15 to 1-4 win.
And at Gardrum Park in Tyrone, visitors Kerry eased to a 1-10 to 2-3 victory. Kerry, who were 0-9 to 0-0 ahead at half-time, held off a spirited second half revival from their hosts to claim the points.
Debutant Eilish Kavanagh scored Kerry’s goal as Tori McLaughlin and Lorraine Conwell responded with majors for the Red Hands.
In Division 2, Cathriona Smith scored a brace of goals while Geraldine Sheridan and Sarah Murray also netted as Cavan walloped Clare by 4-25 to 0-5.
There were also victories for Kildare and Westmeath in the second tier while Leitrim, Sligo and Waterford claimed opening day wins in Division 3.
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