Stacey Grimes finished with 0-08 as reigning champions Meath made a winning start to Group B of the TG4 All-Ireland senior championship when they proved far too strong for a youthful Monaghan side.
It was a blustery Drumhowan and a goal late in the first half by Kelsey Nesbitt doubled Meath's lead to six at that point, effectively putting them beyond reach.
After conceding the opening score early on, the visitors went on to hit 1-13 without reply. Meath’s greater ability to pierce holes in the opposition defence made the difference, while the stunning free-taking of Grimes saw the full-forward rack up a big personal tally.
With the teams setting up to almost mirror each other, both sides got numbers behind the ball in the first half, resulting in lengthy spells of possession as they slowly built the play up.
Monaghan would have been content with their start, which saw Laura Carey open the scoring, and the hosts restricted Meath to just a single point in the opening 12 minutes. Meath remained patient, however, and with Monaghan seeing Amy Garland sin-binned, points by Grimes (two), Emma Duggan and a fisted effort by Shauna Ennis moved the holders ahead.
And Meath made a key breakthrough when Nesbitt’s goal moved them 1-04 to 0-01 clear at half-time, having played into the breeze.
Meath started the second half with purpose, as a hat-trick of frees by Grimes and well-taken points from play by Duggan and Vikki Wall stretched their lead into double figures.
The one-way traffic continued, with Grimes increasing her tally from frees, including one excellent effort from the left wing, before Duggan wrapped up a commanding win for Eamonn Murray’s side.
Monaghan: O Kelly; S Brady, A McCarey, K Nolan; C Jones, R Courtney, C Brennan; J Drury, L Jones; E Clerkin, C Treanor, A Garland; L Garland, L Carey (0-01, 0-01f), H Sherlock.
Subs: E Corley for L Garland (40); L Walsh for Carey (51); U Connolly for Clerkin (58).
Meath: M McGuirk; S Ennis (0-01), MK Lynch, O Duff; M O’Shaughnessy, E Troy, A Cleary; V Wall (0-01), O Lally; M Thynne, E Duggan (0-03), A Leahy; K Nesbitt (1-00), S Grimes (0-08, 0-08fs), N O’Sullivan.
Subs: N Gallogly for Ennis (43), E White for V Wall (44), O Byrne for Leahy (49), S Wall for Lynch (49); Á Sheridan for Duff (52).
Ref: D Carolan (Armagh).
Lisa Cafferky scored the Mayo goal as they kickstarted Group A of the Championship with a big victory over Tipperary, writes Oisín McGovern.
The hosts made the best of a strong wind in the first half at MacHale Park in Castlebar to bounce back following their Connacht final defeat against Galway last time out.
Mayo started fast and reeled off 1-03 after Tipperary's Marie Creedon landed the opener within seconds of the throw-in. Michael Moyles’ side found the net just eight minutes in when full-forward Tara Needham slipped a beautiful hand pass into Cafferky, who calmly rolled it into the net.
Mayo continued to impress, with Sinéad Walsh and Tara Needham kicking over some lovely scores in the first half. But Emma Morrissey had just scored her second free of the afternoon when Mayo almost conceded a goal, with Creedon on target for a point instead, after a misplaced kick-out.
The home side responded when Needham kicked two great points before half time while Shauna Howley added another after a lovely team move.
Tipperary spurned another good goal chance with Morrissey’s blasted effort finishing wide of the goalposts.
Facing into the wind with a 1-10 to 0-04 lead at the start of the second half, Mayo’s attack slowed. The home team hit a number of wides but retained enough possession to keep their opponents at bay.
Morrissey was still leading the charge up front for Tipperary, hitting their only point from play in the second half. And Mayo manager Moyles was able to run his bench as his team adopted a more conservative approach in the testing conditions.
A late save by Lauren Fitzpatrick denied Cafferky a second goal, and a 66th finish from Niamh Martin was a minor consolation as the visitors began with a difficult defeat.
Mayo: A Tarpey; É Ronayne, D Caldwell, S Lally; C Needham (0-01), F McHale, K Sullivan; S Cafferky (0-02), S McCarney; A Geraghty, S Walsh (0-04), S Mulvihill; L Cafferky (1-02, 0-01f), T Needham (0-02), S Howley (0-04, 0-02fs).
Subs: T O’Connor (0-01) for Mulvihill (40), J Mortimer for McHale (49), L Wallace for Sullivan (51), C Whyte for T Needham (52), N McVann for Lally (57).
Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick; E Moore, M Curley, E Cronin; L Spillane, Niamh Martin (1-00), M Murphy; C O’Dwyer, C English; Nora Martin, M Creedon (0-02), E Kelly; C Hennessy, N Shelly, E Morrissey (0-04, 0-03fs).
Subs: A O’Shea for Shelly (18), S Quirke for Moore (38), N Mackey for Nora Martin (47), A Delaney for Hennessy (49), S Ryan for Murphy (54).
Ref: Shane Curley (Galway).
Carla Rowe struck 2-03 at her home club of Clann Mhuire as Dublin began their Group A campaign with a convincing win over Cavan, writes Daire Walsh.
On her return to the starting line-up following a recent injury setback, Rowe was one of the standout performers for Mick Bohan's impressive Leinster champions.
Nicole Owens bagged two goals off the bench and with Hannah Tyrrell (0-05) and Sinead Aherne (1-01) also in fine scoring form, Dublin appeared to be in rude health as they seek to reclaim the Brendan Martin Cup.
And while Aisling Gilsenan and Lauren McVeety recorded second-half goals, Cavan ultimately fell short.
After Tyrrell and Gilsenan traded early points, Rowe edged Dublin in front with a routine free. Despite playing against a stiff breeze, Kate Sullivan scored and Rowe fired past Elaine Walsh for the opening goal of the game after the first-quarter mark. The Dublin joint-captain enhanced her personal haul with a fine score from play before Aherne fisted over from close-range.
Squeezed in between Cavan points courtesy of Niamh Keeneghan and McVeety, Aherne goaled on 21 minutes after Sullivan gave the assist. Tyrrell also scored a free to ensure Dublin brought a convincing 2-06 to 0-03 leadat the break.
They increased their advantage with unanswered points from Tyrrell and Caoimhe O’Connor on the resumption, but Cavan responded with a superbly-taken goal by Gilsenan on 36 minutes. However, this only offered a brief respite as Rowe capitalised on excellent build-up play from Sinéad Goldrick, Aherne and Tyrrell to grab her second goal.
Dublin were relentless and, introduced to the fray just shy of the third-quarter mark, Owens scored goals in the 46th and 53rd minutes. Niamh Hetherton also added her name to the scoresheet to supplement two points by Lyndsey Davey.
And although it was a difficult day at the office, McVeety’s late converted penalty will offer Cavan some solace.
Dublin: C Trant; J Tobin, L Caffrey, N Collins; S Goldrick, M Byrne, O Nolan; L Magee, K McDaid; C O’Connor (0-01), C Rowe (2-03, 0-01f), K Sullivan (0-01); L Davey (0-02), H Tyrrell (0-05, 0-01f), S Aherne (1-01).
Subs: H Leahy for Byrne (30), N Owens (2-00) for O’Connor (42), N Hetherton (0-01) for Sullivan (42), T Quinn Corbally for McDaid (42), J Egan for Davey (49).
Cavan: E Walsh; K McIntyre, S Lynch, E Longair; S Greene, L Fitzpatrick, M Sheridan; N Byrd, A Deneher; N Keenaghan (0-01), L McVeety (1-02, 1-00 pen, 0-01f), A Walls; G Smith, Á Reilly, A Gilsenan (1-01, 0-01f).
Subs: A Cahill for Walls (44), G Sheridan for Smith (44), K McCormack for Reilly (44), M Smith for McIntyre (60), R Smyth for Longair (60).
Ref: G Finnegan (Down).
Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh kicked eight points as Kerry secured a crucial win in their Championship opener at the expense of Galway at St Brendan's Park in Birr, writes Aisling Clery.
Kerry were three points in front at the break and dominated possession for long spells with Cáit Lynch and Lorraine Scanlon impressive. Second half goals from Paris McCarthy and Niamh Carmody were also vital.
Galway did fight back and with Olivia Divilly and Tracey Leonard in fine form, they were unfortunate to fall short.
Despite a nervous opening from both sides, Nicola Ward stormed through to finish Galway’s opening score in the fifth minute. Kerry fired back immediately and Ní Mhuircheartaigh fired over despite the attention of several Galway defenders.
A surging run from Aishling O’Connell pushed Kerry into a two-point lead that lasted until Tracey Leonard opened her account from a free on twelve minutes.
Ní Mhuircheartaigh was impressive in the opening half, hitting the first of four frees on 15 minutes to push Kerry one clear. However, the game was turned on its head when Leanne Coen punched to the net with Olivia Divilly, Mairéad Seoighe and Andrea Trill all involved. Tracey Leonard followed up with a superb score a minute later.
Kerry upped their intensity and a long high pass from Sarah Ní Loingsigh found Scanlon and she fired home from short distance to level the game at 1-03 each.
Then Ní Mhuircheartaigh kicked three frees to hand Kerry a 1-06 to 1-03 cushion at the break.
Cáit Lynch scored on the resumption but Galway responded when Olivia Divilly found Leonard and she fired over. Leonard added two further points from play to leave the minimum between the sides but Kerry responded decisively.
Ní Mhuircheartaigh pointed her sixth of the evening before two goals inside three minutes. Substitute McCarthy got on the end of a free that dropped short, to punch to the net, before Niamh Carmody added Kerry’s third goal two minutes later with a sumptuous finish.
Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Leonard traded points and Galway were disallowed a goal when Ailish Morrissey was adjudged to have been in the square. Kerry ended the game with 13 players as both Scanlon and Ní Mhuircheartaigh were shown yellow cards.
And in a frantic final five minutes, Olivia Divilly got on the scoresheet before Louise Ward drilled the ball into the bottom left corner before Leanne Coen made no mistake with her second goal. However, time ran out and Kerry held on.
Kerry: C Butler; É Lynch, K Cronin, A Dillane; A O’Connell (0-01), E Costello, C Murphy; C Lynch (0-01), A Galvin; D O’Leary, N Carmody (1-00), L Scanlon (1-00); N Ní Chonchúir, E McGlynn, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh (0-08, 5f).
Subs: P McCarthy (1-00) for Ní Chonchúir (21), S O’Shea for McGlynn (46), C Evans for O’Leary (52), C Ní Chonchúir for Dillane (56), M O’Connell for Carmody (59).
Galway: A Griffin; S Molloy, S Ní Loingsigh, E Gavin; C Cooney, N Ward (0-01), K Geraghty; A Davoren, L Ward (1-00); L Coen (2-00), A Trill, M Seoighe; L Noone, O Divilly (0-01), T Leonard (0-06, 1f).
Subs: K Slevin for A Trill (26), C Trill for Gavin (30), S Divilly for Davoren (30), A Morrissey for Seoighe (36), A Molloy for S Molloy (52).
Referee: M Farrelly (Cavan).
Geraldine McLaughlin scored 0-07 to help Donegal earn a hard-fought win over Waterford in the opening round of the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship at a blustery Birr, writes Tomás McCarthy.
Maxi Curran's side led by six points early in the second half but had to hold off a late rally from a determined Déise outfit. A goal from substitute Aisling Mullaney left just one point between them entering the closing stages, before Yvonne Bonner sealed victory for Donegal.
On an afternoon of sunshine and showers, Hannah Power and Geraldine McLaughlin (free) traded early points. Lauren McGregor edged Waterford back in front as the Waterford blanket defence frustrated their opponents. Donegal full-back Evelyn McGinley was sin-binned on 14 minutes for a trip on Annie Fitzgerald.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Katy Herron levelled matters at 0-02 to 0-02. Geraldine McLaughlin’s second free put Donegal ahead for the first time after 22 minutes. The Ulster runners-up had a goal chance off Waterford’s short kick-out but Megan Dunford cut out the danger.
Curran’s side led 0-03 to 0-02 after a cagey opening half. Waterford absorbed three minutes of Donegal pressure before Laura Mulcahy made a big catch on the edge of the square.
Geraldine McLaughlin tapped over another free three minutes into the second half. Waterford were then awarded a penalty as Katie Murray was pulled back after her sister Emma sent her through on goal. Kellyann Hogan fired the spot kick right and wide, however.
At the other end, Katie O’Hanlon saved a low shot from Geraldine McLaughlin. The TG4 All-Star attacker was fouled earlier in the move and converted her fourth free of the evening.
She added two more before substitute Susanne White scored from play to make it 0-08 to 0-02. Chloe Fennell then kicked Waterford’s first point in 33 minutes. Pat Sullivan made a double substitution and it worked straight away as Mullaney slipped the ball to the bottom corner.
Geraldine McLaughlin nearly caught out O’Hanlon with a lob but her shot landed over the bar instead of under. Points from Kate McGrath and Bríd McMaugh left just one between them with nine minutes left.
Nevertheless, Bonner nailed a point from 40 metres with six minutes left to get Donegal across the line after a close encounter.
Waterford: K O’Hanlon; M Dunford, L Mulcahy, A Murray; A O'Neill, E Murray, H Power (0-01); Karen McGrath, K Murray; L McGregor (0-01), Kate McGrath (0-01), M Wall; K Hogan, C Fennell (0-01), A Fitzgerald.
Subs: A Wall for Fitzgerald (30), A Mullaney (1-00) for McGregor (42), B McMaugh (0-01) for M Wall (42), R Casey for Fennell (52), C McGrath for Hogan (56).
Donegal: R McCafferty; N Carr, E McGinley, T Kennedy; S Twohig, Nicole McLaughlin, N Boyle; K Herron (0-01), D Foley; B McLaughlin, Niamh McLaughlin, A Boyle Carr; N Hegarty, Y Bonner (0-01), G McLaughlin (0-07, 0-06fs).
Subs: S McFadden for B McLaughlin (6), S White (0-01) for Carr (30), N Carr for Boyle (45), T Hegarty for Boyle Carr (57).
Ref: S Mulvihill (Kerry).
