1. Waterford Lay Down A Marker With Big Win Over Tipp
Pitted in Division 1B alongside last year's All-Ireland final pairing Cork and Dublin, the 30th of May would have been flagged on Ciaran Curran and Declan Carr’s diaries as a must win game for their sides. With the top two teams progressing from the group to the semi finals, both sides knew a win in this fixture would project them into their final league game in a more favourable position, where a subsequent last round victory could result in a highly coveted semi final spot. The Déise ladies made the short trip to Clonmel and it was the travelling outfit who rose to the challenge and dismissed their local rivals in what was a classy performance.
Abbeyside duo Eimear Fennell and Maria Delahunty shot 2-5 and 2-2 respectively for Waterford on their way to a 5-13 to 2-12 victory. Despite an 0-8 point haul from All Star Aishling Moloney, Waterford proved too strong going forward with Aileen Wall also proving a thorn in Tipp’s side throughout the sunsoaked encounter. The win for Waterford will leave them absent of fear upon locking horns with Munster rivals Cork next week– with a spot in the semi-finals the reward for the victors.
2. Tyrell & McLaughlin Continue Rich Vein Of Form
Two worthy inclusions in last week’s 5 key takeaways from round one of the league, the Dublin and Donegal ladies’ performance at the weekend in round 2 merited a deserved inclusion again this week.
Carrying on from her player of the match performance last week with her 2-1 haul against Westmeath, the newly elected Donegal captain Niamh McLaughlin came up trumps again this week to make it two from two for Maxi Curran’s well-drilled outfit.
The game had been a tit for tat affair with both sides looking capable of victory in patches, but momentum swung in the favour of Donegal when McLaughlin cooly dispatched a penalty in the 48th minute with her third green flag in two games proving decisive as they held out for a 1-11 to 0-11 win over a determined Mayo side.
To leave Hannah Tyrrell out of this week’s selection would be unjust. Arguably the star of the weekend for two weeks on the bounce, the former Irish rugby star lit up Pairc Ui Caoimh with another masterly performance for Mick Bohan’s charges. The talented Tyrrell accounted for 2-7 of Dublin’s 3-15; 2-3 of which coming from open play. News of her retirement from international rugby on Friday last clearly didn’t get in the way of her preparations for Saturday night's clash with Cork. Take a look at the pick of the bunch.
Quality from Hannah Tyrrell for the Dublin Ladies against Cork earlier ??#UpTheDubspic.twitter.com/pDX2A5lXSA
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) May 29, 2021
3. Andrea Trill Scores Goals For Fun
Galway got off the mark in this year’s league with a powerful 6-13 to 2-7 win over Westmeath yesterday. Influential to the cause was Andrea Trill– a name we could be hearing a lot of this summer. Trill showed no mercy on the opposing defence, attacking Lauren McCormack’s Westmeath goal to great effect with every chance the sharpshooter got.
The Claregalway star joins the likes of Mayo’s Rachel Kearns and former Cork Ladies Footballer Saoirse Noonan on a lengthy list of ladies who excel in both ladies football and soccer, with her goal getting ability coming to the fore in yesterday’s clash.
The last of her quartet of goals was arguably the pick of the bunch for the GMIT student, as she smashed her fourth and final goal into the top corner to conclude a memorable day in Pearse Stadium for the young talent. We expect to see plenty more green flags raised courtesy of Trill in the weeks ahead.
4. Results Mean A Huge Final Round In The All-Ulster Division 2B Group
The third and final round of Division 2B will attract plenty of attention given the shape the group has taken following the weekend’s games. Cavan made it two wins from two as they put Tyrone to the sword in rather comfortable fashion in what was a high scoring encounter. First half goals from Lauren McVeety and Geraldine Sheridan were enough to steer victory in the way of The Breffni county and leave them in pole position heading into the final round, as they sit pretty at the summit of 2B on six points.
Laura McEaney’s first half brace of goals paved the way for a Monaghan victory as they came out top in a tough clash with Armagh winning out 2-11 to 1-13.
The results mean Cavan sit at the top on six points, Monaghan sit second on three, Armagh are third in the group also on three points, whilst Tyrone find themselves in fourth place in the group, yet to register any points.
The final group game next weekend sees Monaghan host Tyrone, whilst Armagh travel to Cavan.
With both games throwing in at 2pm, all four teams will enter the fray knowing a result is absolutely vital. A massive final day awaits up North.
5. Controversial, Must See Goal Scored In Roscommon
Roscommon battled to a 5-15 to 3-12 victory over Down as they claimed a comfortable victory to leave them top of 3A with a semi final spot already secured.
Within the high scoring affair was a rather crazy goal which I'm sure left many bewildered as to what had just unfolded. As the sides took to the sidelines for the first water break (a feature in the game which has been regularly scrutinized since it’s introduction to the GAA), the video attached shows Down return to the field before Roscommon and the referee Ciaran Groome wasn’t hanging around for the home side to get back on the pitch. In the absence of any challenges, Down worked the ball up the field through a sea of red before Roscommon realised what was unfolding and scampered back onto the field to try and prevent the green flag.
Despite their best late efforts, Roscommon couldn’t prevent the Natasha Ferris goal and despite their best protests, the goal stood with the ref confident in his decision to resume the game following his whistle to both sides to return to the field of play. A rarity for sure; and perhaps another factor which could add to the fire in many’s calling for the so often seen, momentum killing water break to be reconsidered.
Here is something I’ve never seen before.... and yes I know the rules. pic.twitter.com/rXV7Z7yGSA
— Clare Noone (@ClareNoone1) May 31, 202
