Kerry and Armagh maintain 100 percent records

Danielle O'Leary of Kerry. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Armagh joint manager Darnell Parkinson said that strong competition for places is driving the standard for the reigning NFL champions as they maintained their 100% start to the defence of their crown with a 2-14 to 1-10 win over Mayo.

“We were happy with the first half, maybe not so much with the second half but it’s always good to get a win and still come out with a lot of things to improve on. We got to use a lot of our squad as well, so you’ve got to take that into consideration,” he said.

“Last week was actually the first time where we were able to have a full in-house game, full pitch. It ended up that we had one team winning by a point and you come away from that absolutely delighted, that’s exactly what you want.

“Everyone is playing for their jersey and when an in-house game is as competitive as that, that is showing the depth in the squad.” 

Niamh Henderson got a goal before the break to lead by 1-11 to 0-4 and she added a second after Mayo’s Saoirse Lally got a goal after the restart and the champions pushed on from there to maintain their impressive defence of their title.

All-Ireland senior champions Kerry made it three wins on the spin when they defeated Tyrone by 4-5 to 1-7 in a game that was switched to Garvaghey.

Kerry led by 2-4 to 0-4 with Danielle O’Leary getting both goals before Anna Galvin and Rachel Dwyer found the net, with Sorcha Gormley striking a consolation goal for Tyrone.

“The goals were important, but the wind was deceiving,” said Kerry manager Mark Bourke. “If you put a high ball across the box like that in that type of weather, there's always a chance it'll end up in the net. I think three of the goals came from a high ball that went in over the keeper's head.” 

Meath’s winning start to the league was brought to an end by Kildare by 2-7 to 1-5 in a game which was switched to Abbotstown after Dunboyne and Dunganny both fell foul to the weather.

Two second half goals from Ruth Sargent and Alannah Prizeman proved decisive as Kildare ran out worthy winners, having only led by 0-6 to 1-1 having played with the wind in the opening half.

Meath, whose goal came from Vikki Wall, were unable to preserve their winning start in the second half.

Meanwhile, Waterford and Dublin finished all square in Parnell Park. A goal from substitute Caoimhe O’Connor brought Dublin back into contention at 0-7 to 1-2 at the break.

Waterford continued to hold the lead for most of the third quarter before Niamh Hetherton got Dublin’s second goal to get within a point of the visitors.

Kellyann Hogan edged Waterford in front with a free in the closing stages but Kate Sullivan rescued a draw for Dublin with a late free on a final scoreline of 2-7 to 0-13.

In the big promotion clash in Division 2, Cork made their trip to Monaghan a winning one with Katie Quirke shooting 0-7 in a 1-9 to 1-3 win.

Galway also kept up their promotion drive when a goal from Roisín Leonard helped them ease to a 1-14 to 0-3 win over Westmeath.

Two goals from Kirsty Crotty helped Tipperary to a 2-6 to 0-7 win over Clare, while Jodie McFadden converted a late penalty to rescue a draw for Donegal against a Roscommon side for whom Aishling Hanly hit 0-5.

In Division 3, there were wins for Laois, Down and Wexford, as Antrim, Sligo and Wiclklow were victorious in their Division 4 ties.