Carroll pleased by Cork heard in tight squeeze with Déise

Katie Quirke. File picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Cork manager Joe Carroll was delighted to get another win in a tight game as last year’s Division 2 finalists continue to set the pace at the top of the Lidl National League Division 1 title race.

Katie Quirke landed the winner with a late free as they saw off Waterford by 1-12 to 3-5 at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

“Very pleasing,” said Carroll. “I suppose they showed great heart coming towards the end of it there where we had lost what was a six- or seven-point lead. They drew level and it didn't look good. But then we got a winning point from Katie again, an excellent free.

“But the pleasing thing about it was we held the ball for the last two minutes and Waterford just couldn't get their hands in it.

“Even though we conceded a few soft goals, I think we played very well in the second half. Some of our football was exceptionally good. Our forward play in the first half wasn't great. and I think it was much, much improved. They listened to what we told them at half-time, and it was much improved in the second half. But it would be a concern that we conceded a few goals to let Waterford back into it.”

Cork, the only unbeaten team in Division 1, made the most of Waterford having a player sinbinned to strike 1-5 to 0-1 when they had the extra player with Aoife Healy getting the goal and Quirke finishing with 0-6.

Brid McMaugh struck two goals for Waterford, who have now lost two in a row after initially setting the pace.

“It a bit frustrating and it wasn’t really what we had laid out to do,” said Waterford manager Tomás Mac an tSaoir. “Coming back there at the end was pleasing and the second half was good, but look, we didn’t get the result today and on we go.” 

Galway kept up their challenge with a 1-11 to 1-9 win over reigning champions Kerry in Tralee.

Leanne Coen got the goal for Galway early in the second half to extend their 0-9 to 1-4 interval lead, with Danielle O’Leary getting Kerry’s goal after 18 minutes.

“Kerry is a very difficult place to come to and I don’t think there are too many Galway teams that have gotten results throughout the years so we’re absolutely delighted to get the win,” said Galway manager Daniel Moynihan.

Kildare gave their hopes of avoiding the drop a big boost when they ousted neighbours Meath by 4-8 to 1-10 for their first win. Gillian Wheeler, Mayah Doyle, Alannah Prizeman and Aoife Murnane got the goals for Kildare as Meath fell to their third defeat.

“Players really stood up and took leadership there,” said Kildare manager Pat Sullivan. “We made sure we weren’t going to leave this behind us, but we had to really work today. I think today’s work-rate showed what they’ve put in over the last probably four or five months and where they are now.” 

Armagh and Dublin both badly needed a win at the Box-It Athletic Grounds but in the end they finished 2-11 apiece and now occupy the two relegation spots.

Kelly Mallon slotted home two penalties for Armagh but Orlagh Nolan saved Dublin with a haul of 2-8, including a late equalising point.

In Division 2, Cavan strengthened their position at the head of affairs with victory over Monaghan by 2-9 to 1-9, while Donegal edged out Mayo by a point and Tyrone hit the net four times against Wexford.

In Division 3, there were wins for Fermanagh, Roscommon, Louth and Clare as Leitrim, Wicklow, Carlow and Sligo claimed Division 4 wins.