BORD GÁIS ENERGY LADIES NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL ROUND-UP

BY JACKIE CAHILL
EMMA Mullen was Mayo’s scoring ace with 3-3 as the Westerners advanced to meet holders Cork in the final of the 2009 Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League.

Player of the match Mullen put Laois to the sword at Aughamore as the home side overturned a 1-5 to 0-9 half-time deficit to win by six points.

Mullen’s first goal, after 18 minutes, was a crucial score to keep Mayo in touch during the opening half.

The Connacht outfit trailed by 0-6 to 0-1 before Mullen struck for the first goal of her hat-trick.

Laois had played with the wind advantage in the first half but their best spell was just after half-time and the O’Moore County held the lead until Mullen goaled again 13 minutes from the end.

Mullen’s hat-trick arrived soon after to finally settle a physical game and Laois finished the game with 14 men when Martha Kirwan was sent off with five minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, defending champions Cork produced a powerful second half display against Dublin in Thurles on Saturday to book their place in the showpiece final.

The reigning League, Munster and All-Ireland champions ran riot after half-time against outclassed Leinster kingpins Dublin at Semple Stadium, running out 4-11 to 0-8 winners.

Rhona Buckley bagged 2-3 for the Rebelettes but the player of the match award went to corner forward Deirdre O’Reilly, who chipped in with 1-1.

At half-time, Cork led by 1-6 to 0-7 before outscoring their shellshocked opponents by 3-5 to 0-1 in the second half to record a 15-point win.

O’Reilly netted Cork’s first half goal after 17 minutes, a deflected effort at the Town End, while Dublin goalkeeper Clíodhna O’Connor did well to keep out two other goalbound efforts.

Five unanswered points after half-time sent Cork 1-11 to 0-7 clear and into the comfort zone before the floodgates opened with Buckley (53) and Valerie Mulcahy (55) adding quickfire goals.

In stoppage time, Buckley put the icing on the Cork cake when she lashed home a stunning goal from 18 metres past O’Connor.

The Division 2 final will be contested by last year’s All-Ireland intermediate champions Tipperary and Down.

Tipperary defeated Waterford by 3-12 to 1-8 in Bansha with the help of goals from Gillian O’Brien, Angie McDermott and substitute Cliona O’Dwyer.

Meanwhile, Down ran out 4-10 to 3-7 winners in their semi-final against Sligo.

Dual star Fionnuala Carr, captain of Down’s camogie team and daughter of county senior football manager Ross, excelled for the Mourne County as Kyla Trainor (two), Michaela Downey and Orla Fagan supplied the goals.

Elsewhere, Wicklow needed extra-time before seeing off hosts Limerick to qualify for the Division 3 decider on a 1-14 to 1-9 scoreline.

The other semi final between Derry and Roscommon was postponed due to a bereavement in the Derry camp.
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Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 1 semi-final results:
Mayo 3-10 Laois 0-13.
Cork 4-11 Dublin 0-8 (Note: Played on Saturday).
Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 2 semi-final results:
Down 4-10 Sligo 3-7.