Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL round-up

Cork, chasing a third successive title and a fifth in six seasons, will meet a Galway side contesting their first Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 1 final since 2007, when they lost to Connacht rivals Mayo.

Cork will compete in their seventh final after inflicting a 13-point defeat on Monaghan at the home of St Rynagh’s GAA club in Offaly.

The All-Ireland champions produced a devastating attacking display which yielded 1-19 from play as Monaghan were well beaten.

The Farney girls did lead by 0-4 to 0-0 in the first half but once Cork found their rhythm, they proved unstoppable as eight different players registered scores.

For Cork, Angela Walsh was superb at full back, Norita Kelly quietly effective at midfield while player of the match Mary O’Connor, Ciara O’Sullivan, Amy O’Shea and Nollaig Cleary were in top form in attack.

Cork led by 1-8 to 0-6 at half-time and the goal, cracked home by O’Shea a minute before the interval, was a crucial score as Monaghan’s heads visibly dropped.

In Kiltoom on Sunday, throw-in for the Galway-Laois semi-final was delayed after Waterford and Fermanagh fought out a memorable high-scoring draw in the Division 3 semi-final.

When the second Division 1 semi-final did get underway, Laois went on to lead by 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time and the O’Moore County were two points ahead, 1-10 to 0-11, with ten minutes remaining.

However, Galway’s subs Una Carroll, Patricia Gleeson and Dora Gorman helped to turn the tide as the Connacht champions came roaring back to clinch the win.

Edel Concannon and Lorna Joyce scored Galway’s goals as the Tribeswomen produced a strong finish to reach the final for the third time in six seasons.

Niamh Duggan finished as Galway’s top scorer with eight points, including seven frees, while Noirin Kirwan hit 1-4 for Laois, including a penalty goal in the second half.

In Division 2, Donegal must wait for their final opponents after Armagh and Kildare fought out a thrilling draw, 2-10 apiece, in Saturday’s semi-final.

Donegal, beaten Division 2 finalists in 2008, advanced to another decider with a 2-14 to 2-6 victory over Meath on Sunday.

Cavan advanced to the Division 3 final following a comfortable win against Wexford and will meet Waterford or Fermanagh on May 8.

And in Division 4, next Saturday’s final (May 2) will be contested by Limerick and Leitrim at Cavan’s Kingspan Breffni Park (5.0).

ends

Results:

Saturday, April 24
Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 1 – Semi Final
Cork 1-21 Monaghan 0-11

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 2 – Semi Final
Armagh 2-10 Kildare 2-10 (after extra-time)

Sunday April 25
Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 1 – Semi Final
Galway 2-13 Laois 1-12

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 2 – Semi Final
Meath 2-6 Donegal 2-14

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 3 – Semi Final
Waterford 1-27 Fermanagh 6-12 (after extra-time)

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 3 – Semi Final
Cavan 3-19 Wexford 1-4

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 4 – Semi Final
Antrim 2-8 Limerick 2-9

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 4 – Semi Final
Louth 0-6 Leitrim 5-10

Tesco Junior A Schools Final
St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon (Ulster) 1-10 St Leo’s, Carlow (Leinster) 1-2

Tesco Junior B Schools Final
St Paul’s, Bessbrook (Ulster) 2-8 Eureka S.S, Kells (Leinster) 4-10

Tesco Junior C Schools Final
Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig (Munster) 5-8 Scoil Mhuire, Trim (Leinster) 3-9