Armagh now lead the way in Division 1 of the Lidl Ladies National Football League following a dramatic weekend of action.
Two of the three sides carrying 100 per cent records into Round 4 met at Donaghmore-Ashbourne on Sunday, where Aimee Mackin and Kelly Mallon struck 1-4 apiece as Armagh scored a convincing 2-12 to 0-8 triumph over Meath.
Armagh led by 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval and pushed for victory when Mackin found the net seven minutes after the restart, while Mallon’s strike killed off any notion of a comeback by a Meath side now managed by former Orchard County boss Shane McCormack.
On Saturday, holders Kerry, who had started the defence of their crown with three wins, were held to a draw by Mayo. The sides were deadlocked at 0-4 apiece in the opening half.
Kerry looked good for victory when they led by three points with ten minutes remaining, but Mayo rallied and Sinead Walsh rescued a draw with the second of her two late points as it finished 0-8 each.
In Sunday’s other games, there was a big surprise at Páirc Uí Rinn as a Cork side looking for their second win was blown away by a Waterford team who had lost all three opening games.
But Waterford got on top from the outset and a goal from Aine O’Neill helped them lead by 1-9 to 0-1 at the break. They didn’t relent after the restart and a goal from Clare Walsh helped open a 2-12 to 0-3 lead and Cork, who had a late consolation goal from Lydia McDonagh, are now firmly in the relegation scrap after a 2-12 to 1-6 loss.
So too are Galway after they got caught in the closing stages by All-Ireland champions Dublin at Parnell Park and fell to their fourth loss, which now sees them propping up the table after being pipped by 0-16 to 1-12.
A goal from Linda Booth helped Galway lead by 1-7 to 0-8 at the break but Dublin came with a late surge with points from Kate Sullivan and Orlagh Nolan levelling the match before Hannah Tyrrell kicked a free in the dying moments to claim a second win of the campaign for Mick Bohan’s charges.
In Division 2, Kildare took a big step towards promotion when they edged out Tipperary by 0-8 to 0-7 as they maintained their perfect start after four games with Róisín Byrne shooting 0-6. Tyrone lost their winning start when they drew 2-8 apiece with Laois, who had lost all three. Monaghan also got their first point when they drew with Donegal, while Cavan got their second win when they pipped Westmeath.
In Division 3, there were wins for Down, Clare and Roscommon, while Wexford and Louth drew. In Division 4, Longford, Fermanagh, Leitrim and Carlow were victorious.
RESULTS:
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1
Waterford 2-12 Cork 1-6
Dublin 0-16 Galway 1-12
Kerry 0-8 Mayo 0-8
Armagh 2-12 Meath 0-8
Lidl NFL Division 2
Monaghan 2-10 Donegal 1-13
Kildare 0-8 Tipperary 0-7
Tyrone 2-8 Laois 2-8
Cavan 1-4 Westmeath 0-6
Lidl NFL Division 3
Down 3-12 Antrim 1-11
Clare 1-9 Offaly 0-8
Roscommon 0-17 Sligo 0-8
Wexford 0-10 Louth 1-7
Lidl NFL Division 4
Longford 2-17 Derry 3-5
Fermanagh 10-12 Kilkenny 0-5
Leitrim 2-11 Limerick 1-10
Carlow 3-9 Wicklow 0-11
Report compiled by John Fallon
