Dublin recovered from a slow start to post the first surprise of the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC series with a deserved victory over Kerry at Nenagh yesterday.
Katie Kenneally's goal helped the Kingdom into a six-point lead mid-way through the opening half but it was at this stage that Dublin's midfield pairing of Fiona Ní Chorcoráin and Sinéad Finnegan began to exert significant influence.
The crucial moment in the game arrived on the stroke of half time when Sinéad Aherne hit the net to level at 1-08 apiece and the Jackies never looked back.
They continued to press and debutant Laoise O'Driscoll made a couple of outstanding reflex saves between the Kerry posts before the outstanding Karen Hopkins goaled entering the fourth quarter to finish with a tally of 1-06, rendering Rachel Cronin’s late goal irrelevant.
Armagh needed a goal from Mags McAlinden four minutes from time to shake off a dogged Kildare outfit in Newbridge on a 2-09 to 0-12 scoreline.
A Mairéad Tennyson goal helped them to a 1-05 to 0-06 interval lead but points from Brianne Leahy, Sinéad Melia and Simon Gilabert kept the Lady Lilies in touch before McAlinden struck.
Elsewhere, Meath registered a 2-16 to 1-07 victory over Down. An Aileen Pyres goal had the Mourne girls within two points at half time but second half goals from Elaine Duffy (penalty) and Jackie Shiels made it comfortable for the Royals in the end.
There was also a facile victory for Sligo, with Donegal their victims on a 1-18 to 0-08 scoreline.
The Yeats County girls were superior in most departments and victory was never in doubt once Marian O'Donnell raised the green flag.
Karen Moloney, Louise Smith, Therese Marren and Noelle Gormley all got on the scoresheet as last year’s All-Ireland junior champions made an encouraging start to their campaign.
Laois were made to work all the way by Tyrone before eking out a 1-14 to 1-11 victory. Eilish Gormley's goal gave Tyrone heart but it was Gemma O'Connor's major that proved the match-winner, while Monaghan had a comfortable 3-18 to 0-9 win over Roscommon.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Cora Staunton produced another wonder display to propel Mayo to a comfortable 1-19 to 0-08 victory over Waterford in the TG4 All-Ireland ladies SFC Group 1 game at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday.
The Carnacon superstar contributed a tally of 1-11 in a truly awesome display as the Connacht champions made light work of the outclassed Decies.
Cork opened the defence of their title with a hard-earned win 2-13 to 1-11 win over Galway in the second game of the televised double header in Limerick.
A stunning first half performance was the key to this success as the Rebelettes led by 2-09 to 0-05 at the interval courtesy of an expertly converted penalty by Valerie Mulcahy and another goal from Deirdre O'Reilly.
Results:
Saturday
Group 1: Mayo 1-19 Waterford 0-08
Group 2: Cork 2-13 Galway 1-11
Sunday
Group 1: Kerry 2-15 Dublin 2-12
Group 2: Monaghan 3-18 Roscommon 0-09
Group 3: Laois 1-14 Tyrone 1-11; Sligo 1-18 Donegal 1-08
Group 4: Armagh 2-09 Kildare 0-12; Meath 2-16 Down 1-07
