Dubs make early ground in exciting opening weekend

Lidl Ladies National Football League Round 1 wrap

Compiled by Daragh Small

CHAMPIONS Meath began their quest for a second successive Lidl NFL Division 1 title with a defeat against Dublin at DCU St Clare’s on Saturday.
The current League and TG4 All-Ireland Senior title holders suffered a 1-11 to 0-8 loss against Mick Bohan’s side with captain Carla Rowe on target for the crucial goal.
Dublin were 1-5 to 0-3 ahead at half-time after Rowe found the net and although Stacey Grimes dragged Meath back into the game, late points from substitutes Chloe Darby, Kerri Owens and Shannon Richardson put the game beyond doubt.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Galway got the better of Donegal in the opening game of the 2023 season at a rain-soaked Tuam Stadium.
Kate Slevin shot the last five points for the hosts who secured a 0-11 to 0-6 win. Galway were 0-5 to 0-3 ahead at half-time and even though Slevin blazed a penalty over, they were too strong in the end.
Last year’s Lidl NFL Division 2 champions Kerry began their life in Division 1 with a hard-fought 1-9 to 1-8 win over Munster rivals Waterford at Piltown on Sunday.
The Kingdom ran up an early lead with Síofra O’Shea finding the net before Lauren McGregor hit back. Kerry were 1-7 to 1-3 ahead at half-time and Danielle O’Leary scored the winner late on.
A youthful looking Cork outfit were 2-11 to 0-12 winners away to Mayo at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan in the other Division 1 tie.
Melissa Duggan scored the first half goal for the visitors and they were 1-6 to 0-2 in front at the break. But a Shauna Howley inspired Mayo rallied on the resumption only for Katie Quirke to score the crucial second goal.
In Division 2, last year’s TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate winners Laois secured a comprehensive 3-14 to 1-6 victory against Monaghan at MW Hire O’Moore Park. Erone Fitzpatrick, Mo Nerney and Sarah Anne Fitzgerald found the net for Laois.
Aoife McCoy and Aoife Lennon scored the goals for Armagh in their 2-8 to 0-5 success at the expense of fellow Ulster county Cavan in Drumlane.
Aishling Moloney tagged on 0-6 for Tipperary in their narrow 1-13 to 1-11 win over Westmeath, while Tyrone also held firm to beat Roscommon 1-15 to 1-12.
In Division 3, there were victories for Kildare, Louth, Clare and Wexford. And in Division 4, Leitrim and Limerick both got their campaigns up and running with victories.

Results:

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1:

Galway 0-11 Donegal 0-6
Dublin 1-11 Meath 0-8
Mayo 0-12 Cork 2-11
Waterford 1-8 Kerry 1-9

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2:

Cavan 0-5 Armagh 2-8
Laois 3-14 Monaghan 1-6
Tipperary 1-13 Westmeath 1-11
Tyrone 1-15 Roscommon 1-12

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3:

Kildare 3-13 Down 0-6
Louth 2-13 Longford 1-8
Sligo 0-5 Clare 3-15
Wexford 2-13 Offaly 2-4

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4B:

Leitrim 5-15 Derry 1-2
Kilkenny 0-2 Limerick 4-13