Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL round-up

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL round-up

LAOIS snatched a dramatic injury-time victory against Dublin in Stradbally on Sunday to qualify for the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 semi-finals, and relegate the Sky Blues in the process.The O’Moore County edged a thrilling winner-takes-all clash as Olwyn Farrell’s stoppage time goal secured a 2-10 to 2-8 victory against last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists Dublin.

The stakes couldn’t have been any higher for the Leinster rivals as defeat meant relegation while victory would ensure a top four finish in Division 1.

Two-goal star Lindsey Davey struck after twenty minutes to help Dublin into a 1-3 to 0-4 half-time lead but the vast majority of the drama was reserved for a breathless second half.

Ten minutes after the restart, Davey had netted again and Dublin looked to be on their way to victory, leading by 2-5 to 0-6.

But with a minute of normal time remaining, Mary Kirwan bagged a priceless goal for Laois and as the game drifted into stoppage time, the sides were level at 1-10 to 2-7.

Farrell hit the lead goal for Laois but there was still time for more heartstopping action as Gemma Fay struck the butt of a Laois upright six and a half minutes into injury time, after Sinead Aherne had pulled a point back for Dublin.

Dublin were within inches of snatching victory themselves but relegation to Division 2 is a massive blow to the Leinster kingpins and underlines just how fine the lines are when the top teams are involved.

In Division 2 of the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League, there was another sensational finish as Stephanie O’Reilly scored a late winning goal to relegate Clare and ensure that Sligo will be playing second tier football again next season.

The Yeats County claimed a precious victory on home soil as O’Reilly’s goal secured a 3-5 to 2-7 success against last year’s All-Ireland intermediate champions.

At half-time, Clare led by 1-4 to 1-1 and all of the first half scores from the visitors came from play, with Louise Henchy bagging a third minute goal.

O’Reilly scored the first of her two goals in the first half to keep Sligo in touch and the home side opened the second half in impressive fashion with a 1-3 blast which turned a three-point deficit into a three-point lead.

Noelle Gormley was on target with Sligo’s second goal but the introduction of Clare sub Katie Keoghan swung the pendulum again and she netted with eleven minutes remaining as the Banner County roared back.

With time up, Clare led by 2-7 to 2-5 but there was still time for O’Reilly to settle matters with a stoppage time winning goal to ensure safety for Sligo and heartbreak for Clare.

In Division 3, Wexford claimed a top four finish and a semi-final meeting with Cavan thanks to a 2-12 to 1-9 home victory against Fermanagh.

Tara Moloney set the Model County on their way with a penalty in the first minute while Fiona Rochford added a second half goal for the winners.

Moloney and Rochford both finished with 1-2 for the Slaneysiders, who led by 1-8 to 1-2 at half-time, as centre forward Shauna Hamilton scored Fermanagh’s goal.

In Division 4, Limerick defeated Leitrim by 1-12 to 1-8 to draw level at the head of affairs on twelve points alongside Leitrim and Antrim.

Marie-Claire Curtin scored an early penalty for visitors Limerick, who led by 1-3 to 0-2 at half-time, while Aine Tighe scored Leitrim’s second half goal.

 

ends

 

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 results:

 

Mayo 0-6 Cork 1-22
Tyrone 2-19 Kerry 2-14
Monaghan 0-16 Galway 3-10
Laois 2-10 Dublin 2-8

 

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2 results:

 

Armagh 2-11 Tipperary 0-10
Sligo 3-5 Clare 2-7
Kildare 1-15 Donegal 3-12
Meath 3-16 Down 2-9

 

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 3 results:

 

Wicklow 2-12 Longford 4-6
Roscommon 3-14 Westmeath 0-8
Wexford 2-12 Fermanagh 1-9
Waterford 1-6 Cavan 0-12

 

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 4 results:

Leitrim 1-8 Limerick 1-12
Offaly 1-7 Louth 3-13

 

***

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 1 semi-finals:
Galway v Laois
Cork v Monaghan

 

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 2 semi-finals:
Armagh v Kildare
Donegal v Meath

 

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 3 semi-finals:
Cavan v Wexford
Waterford v Fermanagh

 

Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 4 semi-finals:
Leitrim v Louth
Limerick v Antrim

 

**Semi finals to be played on weekend of April 24/25**

 

Relegated:

Division 1: Dublin, Kerry.
Division 2: Clare, Down.
Division 3: Roscommon, Westmeath.

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