Geraldine O’Flynn nailed a late winning point for Cork as the holders made it two wins from two with victory over Kerry in Division 1 of the Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League on Sunday.
O’Flynn’s score finally settled an enthralling game as the lead changed hand on a number of occasions down the home straight in Cloughduv before Cork claimed a narrow 1-13 to 1-12 win.
But they were made to sweat by the Kingdom, who recovered from five points down at half-time, 0-6 to 1-8, to make a real game of it.
Cork stormed into a 1-7 to 0-3 lead with 22 minutes on the watch, as Rhona Ni Bhuachalla pounced for a goal and Grace Kearney added three points.
But Kerry came storming back after half-time as Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s goal brought them to within a point, as Cork endured a 31-minute barren spell on the scoreboard.
Sub Megan O’Connell tied the game up at 1-9 apiece and the scene was set for a breathless finish, before former player of the year O’Flynn, who scored three of Cork’s last four points, had the final say.
Elsewhere, Sarah McCaffrey’s injury-time point snatched a draw for Dublin against Galway at Tuam Stadium.
Referee Gus Chapman decided to proceed with the fixture ten minutes later than the scheduled throw-in time due to fog.
At half-time, Galway trailed by 1-6 to 2-2, despite a brace of Edel Concannon goals.
Niamh McEvoy’s first half haul of 1-2 gave the Sky Blues the edge but they had McCaffrey to thank late on for a share of the spoils, 1-12 to 2-9.
Elsewhere, Mayo star Cora Staunton hit 1-10 as the Westerners ran riot in the second half to record a 1-14 to 0-5 victory against Laois.
At half-time, the hosts were level at 0-5 apiece in Mountmellick but Mayo, inspired by Staunton’s penalty goal, upped the ante as Laois failed to score after the break.
Last Friday evening, Monaghan recorded an emphatic 5-12 to 2-5 victory against Ulster rivals Tyrone.
Laura McEnaney and Ciara McAnespie scored two goals each for the Farney girls, with Cathriona McConnell also raising a green flag.
Gemma Begley and Lorraine Conwell replied with majors for the outclassed Red Hands.
In Division 2 on Sunday, Ulster teams Donegal and Armagh scored six goals each in their massive victories over Down and Westmeath respectively.
Clare and Meath drew 2-12 apiece while Cavan demolished Kildare.
In Division 3, there were victories for Leitrim, Roscommon, Waterford and Sligo.
Louth, Offaly and Limerick claimed maximum points in their Division 4 outings.
RESULTS
Division 1:
Cork 1-13 Kerry 1-12
Galway 2-9 Dublin 1-12
Laois 0-5 Mayo 1-14
Monaghan 5-12 Tyrone 2-5 (played on Friday)
Division 2:
Cavan 4-13 Kildare 1-8
Clare 2-12 Meath 2-12
Down 0-7 Donegal 6-16
Armagh 6-12 Westmeath 1-10
Division 3:
Tipperary 3-3 Leitrim 3-13
Roscommon 3-14 Longford 0-6
Waterford 5-12 Fermanagh 0-3
Sligo 4-8 Wexford 0-5
Division 4:
Louth 2-8 Antrim 2-7
Offaly 8-19 Derry 1-4
Wicklow 0-11 Limerick 2-9
