Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL wrap

MONAGHAN scored a crucial victory against hosts Dublin on Saturday to remain firmly in the hunt for a first Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football league crown since 1999.

The Farney girls strengthened their second place position behind table-toppers Galway in Division 1 after securing a 0-13 to 0-8 win against the Jackies at Naomh Mearnóg.

Dublin, with the breeze at their backs in the first half, opened up a 0-7 to 0-5 half-time but were held to just a single point by a fired-up Monaghan in the second half.

After losing to Dublin in last year’s league and also in the All-Ireland semi-final, the Ulster outfit were determined to gain revenge and did so with another impressive attacking display.

Once again, all six forwards were on the scoresheet for the visitors as Edel Byrne led the way with an impressive haul of six points.

The experienced Niamh Kindlon added three points while Laura McEnaney, daughter of Monaghan senior football manager Seamus, performed well in the second half with some intelligent and selfless running.

Sinead Ahern was Dublin’s most effective forward with three points but it was Monaghan’s work-rate, particularly after half-time, that made the difference.

In Division 2, Meath rattled five goals past Tipperary at New Inn as the Royal County moved firmly into the race for promotion.

Meath made their trip to Tipp a winning one as they left for home on the right end of a 5-4 to 2-11 scoreline.

This game started in whirlwind fashion when Elaine Duffy converted a second minute penalty for Meath’s first goal, before Patricia Hickey responded immediately with a Tipperary goal.

Remarkably, Meath were awarded three penalties in the first half as Tipp struggled to cope with long balls into the full back line.

Duffy converted two and missed one while Hickey struck a second Tipperary goal to give the hosts a one-point half-time lead, 2-4 to 2-3.

Three second half goals handed Meath a vital win as Shauna Bennett, Kellie Allen and substitute Samantha Martin raised green flags.

A feature of this Meath victory was their ability to mix long and short ball as Allen caused endless problems for the Tipperary defence.

In Division 3, Fermanagh came from two points down at half-time to run out 0-11 to 0-8 winners against Longford in a real six-pointer.

The Little sisters Caroline and Sharon hit nine points between them (Caroline 0-5, Sharon 0-4) in an entertaining encounter at Brookeborough.

Visitors Longford led 0-6 to 0-4 at the midway point but Fermanagh dug in for the second half and even though Marcella Connolly was sin-binned, the Ernesiders outscored Longford 0-3 to 0-1 while the forward was off the pitch.

Fermanagh are now in joint-second place in the table alongside Waterford, with the pair three points behind pace-setters Cavan.

Longford now face a battle to make the semi-finals in Division 3 as they are locked together on six points with Wexford and Wicklow.

In Division 4, Antrim are second only behind Leitrim on scoring difference following a 2-9 to 0-7 victory against Limerick at Casement Park on Saturday.

The Saffrons won the repeat of last year’s All-Ireland junior final thanks to goals in either half from Anna Finnegan and Maebh McCurdy.

Antrim led by 1-4 to 0-3 at half-time and eventually secured a comfortable victory, despite the best efforts of Limerick’s Catriona Davis, who scored six points of her side’s tally.

ends

Saturday 13 March 2010
Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 1 Round 5
Kerry 0-15 Mayo 2-13
Tyrone 0-4 Cork 3-13
Galway 2-12 Laois 2-11
Dublin 0-8 Monaghan 0-13

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 2 Round 5
Donegal 1-17 Clare 3-7
Down 1-9 Armagh 2-10
Sligo 0-13 Kildare 3-17
Tipperary 2-11 Meath 5-4

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 3 Round 5
Roscommon 1-6 Cavan 5-20
Wexford 3-13 Wicklow 1-13
Fermanagh 0-11 Longford 0-8
Westmeath 1-10 Waterford 1-8

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 4 Round 5
Antrim 2-9 Limerick 0-7

Sunday 14 March 2010
Bord Gáis Energy NFL Div 4 Round 5
Kilkenny 4-6 Offaly 1-8.