Cork’s lengthy unbeaten run in competitive football continues but they were given one of their hardest tests yet by a fired up Galway in yesterday’s Suzuki Ladies National Football League Division 1B game at Tuam.
The hosts began in whirlwind fashion, scoring three early goals from Philomena Flatley, Yvonne Daly and Ann Marie McDonagh to race into a commanding lead. The defending champions maintained their composure, however, and had reduced the deficit to two points at half time.
The second half was a nip-and-tuck affair with but with Caoimhe Creedon and captain Juliet Murphy in fine scoring form, finishing with seven points between them, the Rebelettes managed to get their noses in front by the final whistle of a hugely entertaining encounter and win 0-14 to 3-4.
In Division 1A Armagh got back on the winning trail at a blustery O’Toole Park, Dublin but were pushed all the way by a youthful Waterford before prevailing 1-5 to 0-4.
Last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists got off to an excellent start with points from Caroline O’Hanlon and Maeve Moriarty before Mags McAlinden struck the net mid-way through the opening half.
Michelle Ryan got Waterford off the mark and they trailed by 1-3 to 0-1 at the break, although that gap should have been wider as Armagh shot 10 wides. Ryan kept the Déise girls in touch with two second half points but their more experienced opponents held on for the victory thanks to points from Aileen Matthews and Moriarty.
Eight points from Tracy Lawlor helped Laois book their spot in the quarter-finals with an impressive 0-16 to 1-7 win at Slane. Pat Critchley’s charges overcame torrential rain and the concession of a Catriona Daly goal inside the first minute, to lead 0-10 to 1-5 at the interval.
Eimear Fitzpatrick was also in fine scoring form, raising four white flags in the first half on the way to a personally tally of 0-5, and though Tyrone reduced the marging to a point early in the second half, five Lawlor points on the trot sealed the victory.
Elsewhere, an Una McNally goal gave Monaghan a 1-1 to 0-1 interval advantage in their outing with Meath but last year’s league runners-up were rejuvenated after resumption. A goal and six points in 10 minutes settled the tie, with Gráinne Nulty hitting the net. Majella Woods goaled for Monaghan but it was too little too late.
Kildare kept their hopes of Division 1 survival alive with a two-point victory over fellow struggler Donegal in Bundoran. An Aodhin McBride goal helped them to a 1-5 to 0-4 interval lead and with Aisling Jennings weighing in with four points, they had enough in hand to hold on despite the second half efforts of Nóirín Hegarty, who score a goal and two points.
Kerry’s unbeaten run this season was brought to an end by a Mayo outfit that has steadily improved since being hammered in the opening round and the westerners look ready to major contenders for honours again in 2007, having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Suzuki NFL.
Results:
Division 1A
Armagh 1-5 Waterford 0-4
Laois 0-16 Tyrone 1-7
Mayo 0-12 Kerry 1-7
Division 1B
Cork 0-14 Galway 3-4
Kildare 1-9 Donegal 1-7
Meath 1-10 Monaghan 2-2.
