All the latest news from Ulster

Armagh midfielder Maebh Moriarty broke her leg
as the Orchard girls bowed out of the Suzuki Ladies National Football
league at the hands of All Ireland champions Cork 2-12 to 0-10.
The injury to the Clann Eireann forward knocked them for six in
the first half and they trailed at the break 2-6 to 0-5. In the
second half they were excellent but found their scores a lot harder
to come by than the champions did. While all of them can be proud
of their efforts, Alma O Donnell, Caroline O Hanlon and Patricia
Mc Evoy were particularly outstanding. 

Not for the first time Cora Staunton broke Monaghan hearts as
the girls from the West advanced to semi finals of the Suzuki
Ladies National Football League. Staunton contributed 1-8 as Mayo
won 4-11 to 1-11. The first half was evenly contested however
Mayo led at the break 2-6 to 0-6, the goals coming in the 3rd
and 28th minute. A goal from Grainne Mc Nally did narrow the gap
to three points early in the second half however Mayo finished
the last quarter strongly and deserved to advance. Monaghan travelled
to Ballina with just nineteen fit players and can take great heart
from their performance. Niamh Kindlon finished top scorer with
seven points.

In the other Division One games Meath and Galway advanced. Gillian
Bennett hit 1-9 as the Royal County hammered Kerry 2-13 to 1-6.
Galway came from behind to beat Waterford 0-20 to 1-10. The semi
final draws will be made tonight.

Down crashed out of Division Two Suzuki Ladies National Football
League at the hands of Sligo 2-10 to 2-8. The Yeats County players
were hungrier, sharper and deserved their win. The Mourne County
were best served by Frances O Connor and Aine Keery however on
the day too many players didn’t perform.

Fermanagh had no trouble over coming Derry in the Division 3
quarterfinal of The Suzuki Ladies National Football League. Goals
from Caroline Little (2), Marcella Connolly (2), Aisling Mc Gahey
(2), Emer Martin and Teresa Hughes helped them to a 8-10 to 1-6
victory.

Several key players were unavailable for Antrim and they bowed
out of the competition losing to Leitrim 1-12 to 0-2.

In the final round robin game in the B Division Monaghan beat
Mayo’s second string on Friday 2-12 to 2-4. First half goals from
Brenda Mc Nally and Mary Foy sent the Farney girls on their way
to the quarter finals.

And finally Monaghan progressed to the semi final of the Ulster
minor competition with a comprehensive 9-18 to 3-4 win over Down.
Senior star Catriona Mc Connell only played the first half and
contributed 2-4 before being substituted.

Paul Swift – ULSTER PRO pswift5@eircom.net