Cork issued a chilling message that their appetite is as strong as ever with a stunning 3-12 to 1-5 victory over Meath in what was a repeat of last year's Suzuki Ladies National Football League final.
Despite being short a number of last year's double-winning team, the Rebelettes blitzed their hapless opponents in Mountmellick with a powerful display for their 28th competitive success in a row.
Meath started this Division 1B game well with the wind with Gillian Duffy causing problems but two goals from Valerie Mulcahy either side of the interval completely deflated the Royals.
Caoimhe Creedon added a third major as a total of eight players got on the scoresheet for Cork and though Catherine McCormack hit the net from the penalty spot four minutes from time for Meath.
A feature of this game was the return of Amy O'Shea after a two-year absence and the full-forward was hugely influential, having been fouled for the penalty from which Mulcahy slotted her second goal.
Cork are now assured of a place in the quarter-finals, but their victims in last year's All-Ireland final, Armagh, will have to wait another while to confirm their place after their shock 2-5 to 1-4 defeat to Laois at Park Ratheniska.
Pat Critchley's charges have put themselves back in the hunt in Division 1A with this magnificent victory, which had its foundation in a strong first half showing into the wind.
County minor, Anna Moore made a big impression in her first start at midfield and had a big hand in Eimear Fitzpatrick’s goal, which gave the winners a 1-2 to 0-2 interval lead.
A Gemma O'Connor goal immediately after the restart and two further points saw the O'Moore girls go eight clear.
Armagh are a resolute bunch however, and Marie O'Donnell’s goal began the fightback but the Ulster side found Nóirín Kirwan and Laura Hyland in stubborn form and Laois held on for a deserved win.
Mayo join Laois on three points know after a facile victory over a very inexperienced Waterford unit, which now looks destined for relegation now following a 5-14 to 2-5 mauling.
Cora Staunton was operating at centre-forward and once again was a class apart, finishing with a tally of 2-7.
Back in Division 1B, Galway joined Cork on six points but were made to graft by Donegal before securing a 2-11 to 1-6 victory.
The Tribeswomen led by two points at the interval but were rocked back on their heels when a Karen Gutrie goal put Donegal ahead.
However, they responded well to that fright and goals from Sarah Costello and Philomena Flaherty enabled them to relax, with five points in the final six minutes providing a flattering margin of victory.
Finally in Division 1B, Monaghan came out on top in the battle of the relegation candidates by the odd point in 21.
Kildare led by two points at half time despite playing into a strong breeze but had cause to rue a disallowed goal from Brianne Leahy for over-carrying when Monaghan, inspired by Niamh Kindlon, forged into a three-point lead which proved just enough in the end.
Results:
Divison 1A: Laois 2-5 Armagh 1-4; Mayo 5-14 Waterford 2-5
Division 1B: Cork 3-12 Meath 1-5; Galway 2-11 to Donegal 1-6; Monaghan 0-11 v Kildare 0-10
