Tipperary battled their way past a strong and stubborn Westmeath to claim a vital 0-11 to 1-06 win in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League at a windswept Bansha.

Another outstanding individual performance from Tipperary's Aishling Moloney - who kicked ten points - paved the way for the Premier to claim the win in very tough conditions, as Storm Dennis played a big part in the quality of the game.

This was extremely close throughout and with Tipperary opting to play against the breeze in the opening half, Westmeath needed to make most of their progress by the interval.

However some wayward shooting proved to be their undoing as Tipp were far more economical in the scoring zone.

The home side started the brighter, with Moloney notching the first three points of the game inside 15 minutes, the latter of those scores a brilliant solo effort from close range into the teeth of a gale to underline her side's solid start.

Westmeath were also creating chances, but the finishing of their forwards disappointed at times, and they had to wait until the 17th minute to register their first score, a pointed effort from a Leona Archibold free.

Moloney extended the Tipp lead back out to three points a few minutes later from a free, but Westmeath finished the half strongly, with Vicky Carr finishing off an excellent team move in the 27th minute, before Westmeath were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time and Archibold hit the net from the spot to give her side a slender one-point lead at the break, 1-2 to 0-4.

Tipperary would have been happy with their lot after playing against the elements in the first half, and they equalised soon after the resumption through the boot of Emer McCarthy as they looked to push on with the wind at their backs.

But Westmeath really dug in for the battle as Moloney and Archibold notched two placed balls each in the opening 15 minutes of the half, with both teams tackling ferociously while conditions deteriorated rapidly.

However, as she has done frequently in the past for Tipperary, Moloney raised her game and made the difference, landing two efforts from frees and a fantastic solo strike to give Tipp a three-point lead with two minutes to go.

And despite scores from Vicky Carr and Archibold for Westmeath, Tipp managed to hold out for what could be a priceless win come the end of the league campaign.

Scorers – Tipperary: A Moloney 0-10 (8f), E McCarthy 0-1 Westmeath: L Archibold 1-3 (1-0pen, 3f), V Carr 0-2, Annie Dolan 0-1

Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick; E Moore, L Spillane, E Cronin; M Curley, B Condon, S Lambert; L Dillon, C Kennedy; N Hayes, E Morrissey, R Daly; A Carey, A Moloney, A Fennessy.

Subs: S Dolan for Fennessy (21), E McCarthy for Daly (h-t), M Creedon for Dillon (41),A Delaney for Hayes (50), R Kiely for Carey (51).

Westmeath: L McCormack; R Dillon, S Dolan, L Power; G Halligan, F Claffey, A Jones; J A Maher, V Carr; K Hegarty, L Archibold, L McCartan; T Dillon, C Dillon, A Connolly.

Subs: S McCormack for C Dillon (19), A Dolan for Maher (45).Referee: K Phelan (Laois).

In Division 3, after Fermanagh and Roscommon had to be called off on Saturday evening, all three games on Sunday managed to survive the effects of Storm Dennis, and victories for Down and Kildare saw both teams maintain their 100 per cent records as they opened out a lead at the top of the table.

Kildare hosted neighbours Wicklow and the home team pulled clear in the first half thanks to a brace of goals from Nessa Dooley.

Amy Murphy hit back for Wicklow just before the interval, but there was no denying Kildare a third straight win and they pulled clear for a 2-11 to 1-17 victory.

Down had the long trip west to Sligo to contend with but they were very impressive winners over the Yeats county on a 3-15 to 3-07 margin.

Ciara Gorman scored a goal in each half for Sligo, but they never really took charge and Down pulled clear in the final quarter with two goals of their own to maintain their excellent start to the season.

And in the final Division 3 game, there were plenty of goals again, but one in each half from Erone Fitzpatrick ensured Laois held on for a 3-06 to 2-06 win over Longford.

Kate Whelan also scored an early goal for Laois, who picked up their first win of the season, while Longford pushed them all the way in Heywood.