Armagh joint manager Darnell Parkinson said that strong competition for places is driving the standard for the reigning Lidl NFL champions as they maintained their 100% start to the defence of their crown with a 2-14 to 1-10 win over Mayo.
“Everyone is playing for their jersey and when an in-house game is as competitive as that, that is showing the depth in the squad.”
Niamh Henderson got a goal before the break to lead by 1-11 to 0-4 and she added a second after Mayo’s Saoirse Lally got a goal after the restart and the champions pushed on from there to maintain their impressive defence of their title.
“We gave away bad turnovers at bad times and made mistakes and these good teams punish you, but I think the scoreline flattered them a wee bit. We were closer than that but we’re learning on the hoof here now and it’s a tough learning experience for us.”
Kerry led by 2-4 to 0-4 with Danielle O’Leary getting both goals before Anna Galvin and Rachel Dwyer found the net, with Sorcha Gormley striking a consolation goal for Tyrone.
“The goals were important, but the wind was deceiving,” said Kerry manager Mark Bourke. “If you put a high ball across the box like that in that type of weather, there's always a chance it'll end up in the net. I think three of the goals came from a high ball that went in over the keeper's head.”
Tyrone were unable to build on their win over Mayo but manager Darren McCann said they can take a lot from this encounter.
“The goals made the difference in the end up but as I've said before Division One is a learning experience for us. We've learnt a lot from our matches, and we came up against the All-Ireland champions today, and we caused them problems so that's something we can take from today.”
Two second half goals from Ruth Sargent and Alannah Prizeman proved decisive as Kildare ran out worthy winners, having only led by 0-6 to 1-1 having played with the wind in the opening half.
“I am delighted to have got the win,” said Kildare manager Pat Sullivan. “Dublin and Meath have been the flag bearers in both Leinster and Ireland over the last number of years and Kildare have showed they are worthy of their place. I am looking forward to the Armagh challenge next weekend.”
Meath, whose goal came from Vikki Wall, were unable to preserve their winning start in the second half.
“I am bitterly disappointed with our display but I am taking nothing from Kildare's win. They have proved themselves over the last two years with back to back promotions,” said Meath manager Shane McCormack.
Kellyann Hogan edged Waterford in front with a free in the closing stages but Kate Sullivan rescued a draw for Dublin with a late free on a final scoreline of 2-7 to 0-13.
“Dublin played well in the second half,” said Waterford manager Tomas Mac an tSaoir. “You’d think that they actually had an extra player for some of the second half, the way they played. I suppose that’s a lot to do with their experience. Probably disappointed going home. I thought we played reasonably well to get the win, but that’s the way it goes.”
Dublin joint manager Paul Casey said they were relieved to get a draw but know they also had a chance to win it.
“I suppose it’s mixed feelings. It’s a game we obviously could have won at the end, but equally we could have lost it. Gave ourselves a lot of work to do again in the second half, but they battled really well. It was great to get some players there back onto the pitch, the likes of Eilish O’Dowd and Caoimhe O’Connor. It’s a point. Lots of positives to be taken from it, but also we know there is lots to work on,” said Casey.
Two goals from Kirsty Crotty helped Tipperary to a 2-6 to 0-7 win over Clare, while Jodie McFadden converted a late penalty to rescue a draw for Donegal against a Roscommon side for whom Aishling Hanly hit 0-5.
In Division 3, there were wins for Laois, Down and Wexford, as Antrim, Sligo and Wicklow were victorious in their Division 4 ties.
