Kerry keep league final hopes alive

Kerry made it four wins on the spin in Lidl NFL Division 1 with a 2-8 to 0-4 victory in Swinford over Mayo.

Lidl NFL Division 1

Dublin joint manager Paul Casey hailed a strong start as they saw off neighbours Meath by 2-19 to 0-9.

Goals in the first quarter from Caoimhe O’Connor and Carla Rowe set the tone as Dublin, who led by 2-8 to 0-2 at the interval, pushed on to stay in the hunt for honours.

“We’re delighted with the performance. We hit the ground running, something that we haven’t been doing in previous matches,” said Casey “I think everybody performed well and it’s great to have the three points. We obviously have players coming back late in the campaign and we’ve also been able to blood a few young players into the panel too.” 

Armagh joint manager Joe Feeney was pleased after they maintained their 100% record as they got the better of Kildare at Silverbridge Harps by 2-15 to 1-7.

“Kildare are very good and had great results coming into the game, they’d beaten Meath and Dublin and had impressive performances.

“We felt that we were good in the first half against the wind and played well. We maybe left a bit behind us, but it was quite hard going into the breeze but we’re happy overall with how everything panned out,” said Feeney.

Goals in either half from Niamh Henderson and Emily Druse were key to victory for the home side, who led by 1-6 to 0-2 at the break.

Kerry made it four wins on the spin to keep alive their hopes of a Lidl NFL Division 1 final place with a 2-8 to 0-4 win in Swinford over Mayo.

“We’re delighted," said manager Mark Bourke, "maybe a bit worried in the first half, playing with the wind and only two points up.

“We were a small but lethargic with our passing and our workrate wasn’t where it should have been. I thought in the second half they really focused. The structure of the team in the second half was much better. They knew their jobs then, what they had to do in the second half.” 

Mayo trailed by 0-4 to 0-2 at the break having played with the wind and goals from Danielle O’Leary and Siofra O’Shea propelled Kerry to victory.

In Aghyaran, a hat-trick from Lauren McGregor helped Waterford past Tyrone by 6-15 to 0-6.

Waterford led by 3-8 to 0-2 at the break with Kellyann Hogan finishing with 1-8 and Katie Murray and Chloe Fennell also finding the net in an emphatic win.

“Happy with the overall performance and the girls are delighted to get the victory,” said Waterford manager Tomás Mac a t'Saoir. “Great to come up here and get a display like that from the team and to build on the draw last week."

In Division 2, goals from Shauna Hynes and Olivia Divilly helped Galway secure a 2-16 to 0-6 win over Donegal which keeps them firmly on course for a swift return to the top flight.

Cork are also on course for a quick return to Division 1 after defeating Roscommon by 4-17 to 2-9. Two goals apiece from Libby Coppinger and Emma Cleary helped them lead by 4-6 to 2-5 at the break, with Aisling Hanly and Laura Mannion, who finished with 1-5, finding the net for Roscommon.

Tipperary scored a 3-16 to 2-6 win over Westmeath, with Kirsty Crotty Ryan, Maria Curley and Aishling Moloney getting the goals in the opening half. Anna Jones twice found the net for Westmeath.

Monaghan defeated Clare by 4-11 to 0-9 after Jennifer Duffy hit the net twice in the opening ten minutes with Éabha Sherry getting the other two, while Clare’s goal came from an Ailish Considine free.