Galway boosted their Lidl National Football League Division 1 prospects with a convincing win against Dublin at the DCU Sportsgrounds.
With the Leonard cousins – Roisin and Tracey – recording a combined tally of 3-3, Tim Rabbitt's charges were worthy victors in this round four clash. Carla Rowe once again led the way for Dublin with a 1-4 tally as Mick Bohan's side succumbed to a second defeat on the bounce.
This game was a repeat of last year’s TG4 All-Ireland Senior decider when Dublin secured their third national title in succession courtesy of a 2-3 to 0-4 victory.
Following early traded frees between Galway’s Roisin Leonard and Rowe, Ailbhe Davoren’s powerful tenth-minute strike found the roof of the Dublin net.
Despite suffering this early set-back, the hosts responded immediately with a three-pointer of their own from the impressive Siobhan Woods. The Tribeswomen continued to pose a threat in attack, however, and bagged their second goal of the contest on the first-quarter mark.
We need your consent to load this YouTube contentWe use YouTube to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
While another Rowe effort offered the Metropolitans some respite, Roisin Leonard matched her relative's opening haul of 1-1 by firing into the bottom left-hand corner in the 23rd minute.
This provided Galway with a convincing 3-2 to 1-2 interval cushion, which was extended on the resumption thanks to Andrea Trill’s quickfire two-point salvo.
And they effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt when Roisin Leonard fired home at the tightest of angles for her second goal on 41 minutes. A free from Tracy Leonard bolstered her side’s stranglehold on the proceedings, before Rowe fired back with a much-needed point for Dublin at the opposite end.
Dunne also cancelled out Trill’s third score for Galway in advance of a strong finish from the 2018 league champions. After converting her fourth free of the day, Rowe coolly slotted a 59th minute penalty past Dearbhla Gower.
Muireann Ní Scanaill also flicked over a late point, but Galway had already done enough to secure a third successive triumph by that stage.
Galway: D Gower; C Crowe, S Lynch, S Molloy; C Cooney, F Cooney, L Coen; O Divilly, S Divilly; A Davoren (1-00), T Leonard (1-02, 0-01f), L Noone; L Hannon, R Leonard (2-01, 0-01f), A Trill (0-03).
Subs: S Conneally for R Leonard (47), A Morrissey for Hannon (47), A Molloy for Trill (53), R Ní Flahartha for S Divilly (62).
Dublin: C Trant; É Rutledge, M Ní Scanaill (0-01), M Byrne; N Collins, L Caffrey, O Nolan; J Dunne (0-01), L McGinley; N Sweeney, C Rowe (1-04, 1-00pen, 0-04f), L Kane; H O’Neill, S Woods (1-00), C O’Connor.
Subs: R McDonnell for Kane (25), N Hetherton for O’Connor (h-t), L Davey for Sweeney (h-t), C O’Connor for Nolan (39), C McGuigan for O’Neill (47), J Egan for O’Connor (57), G Kos for Rutledge (57), C Sultan for McDonnell (57).
Ref: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).
Hogan's a hero for the Déise
Waterford 0-10 Tipperary 1-7
Kelly Ann Hogan kicked a nerveless late leveller as Ciaran Curran's Waterford fought back from a four-point deficit to secure a share of the spoils in this tight Division 1 clash at Fraher Field.
This could be a precious point for both sides who pulled clear of the battle for last place, but with three games remaining there is much still to play for in this exciting division.
Waterford: R Landers; M Dunford, R Dunphy, R Casey; M Wall, K McGrath, C McGrath; E Murray (0-02), C Fennell; R Tobin, KA Hogan (0-04, 3f), A Wall (0-01); K Murray (0-02), L Devine, A Murray.
Subs: M Boylan for Devine (49), A Dalton for Tobin (54).
Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick; S Lambert, L Spillane, E Cronin; M Curley, B Condon, O Winston; L Dillon, C Kennedy (0-02); K Davey (1-00), E Morrissey, R Daly; E Moore, A Moloney (0-05, 3f), H Hayes.
Sub: E McCarthy for Winston (14).
Ref: Niall McCormack (Laois).
Connolly on song as Lake ladies get back to winning ways
Westmeath 1-11 Donegal 1-7
Westmeath won their first game since last April as Lucy McCarton and Aoife Connolly masterminded this stylish victory over Donegal at St Loman’s in Mullingar.
A goal from Amy Boyle Carr had gotten Donegal off to a flying start inside the first minute, but Maxi Curran’s side conceded an equaliser from Connolly straight away, and after Connolly gave her side a fourth-minute lead they never trailed again in the game.
Westmeath’s defensive effort was inspirational throughout, and it saw them to the win, which puts them above Donegal at the foot of the table due to their superior head-to-head record.
Westmeath: L McCormack; R Dillon, S Dolan, L Power; E Kelly, F Claffey, A Roche; J Maher, V Carr; A Dolan (0-01), L Archibold (0-02, 1f), L McCartan (0-04); T Dillon, A Connolly (1-04, 0-01f), J Draper.
Subs: G Halligan for Dolan (56), S McCormack for Maher (60).
Donegal: A McColgan; A.M. Logue, E Gallagher, D Foley; N Carr, K Keeney, N Boyle; N McLaughlin, E McGinley; A Boyle Carr (1-01), G McLaughlin (0-05, 4f), T Hegarty; N Gordon, E McCroary, C Sharkey (0-01).
Sub: N McDonald for Sharkey (h-t).
Ref: Mel Kenny (Mayo).
Ní Mhuircheartaigh ensures Kerry stay top of second tier
In Division 2, Kerry continued their perfect start to the season and a 1-9 haul from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh gave them a 3-14 to 1-8 win over Tyrone. Niamh Ní Chonchúir and Hannah O'Donoghue also found the net for Kerry, who remain three points clear of Monaghan at the top.
Monaghan were also convincing 1-11 to 1-7 winners in their derby clash with Cavan as Shauna Coyle’s goal 12 minutes after the restart proved a vital score. Aisling Maguire replied for Cavan, but they were unable to haul in their neighbours and they slipped to a second loss of the season.
Elsewhere Meath lost ground on the leaders after they had to be happy with a 3-12 to 3-12 draw with Clare. Emma Duggan’s scoring appeared to have been enough for Meath, but Clare struck two late goals before Grainne Nolan struck twice in added time to give Clare a draw.
Armagh won for the second time this season as Wexford’s woes continued in a 4-18 to 1-1 loss to the Orchard county. Goals from Caroline O’Hanlon (2), Kelly Mallon and Niamh Marley saw them to the easy win.
In the third tier, Down were very impressive winners against Roscommon in the live game, and their 3-13 to 0-7 win was their fourth in a row and sees them maintain pace with Kildare, who were 3-14 to 4-6 victors over Laois.
Fermanagh picked up a 2-6 to 0-8 win over Longford, while Sligo lost their fourth straight game as Wicklow claimed a 5-18 to 0-7 win.
And in Division 4 there were wins for Carlow and Louth, while the meeting of Offaly and Limerick ended in a 2-9 to 1-12 draw.
