Great start for Ulster sides

Six
of the eight Ulster sides in Suzuki league action at the
weekend recorded wins. Armagh got their campaign of to
a perfect start with a four point win over neighbours
Tyrone. Ten of the All Ireland winning side started and
the game was level on four occasions. Three late points
from Sharon Duncan gave the Orchard side a 0-4 to 0-3
interval lead. The game was just as close in the second
half however with eight minutes to go Tyrone had Clare
Mc Aliskey sin binned and while the Aodh Ruadh player
was of the pitch Armagh tagged on another three unanswered
points. Aileen Matthews finished top scorer with four
points.

Monaghan
also had a good win in their opening game against Donegal
2-9 to 1-7. Hero of the day was Niamh Kindlon. The Magheracloone
player wasn’t meant to play as her brother had got married
at the weekend but
turned in a classy performance contributing 2-4. The Farney
side had a great first half and lead at the interval 1-4
to 0-2. Donegal’s Kelly Lacey found the net with the first
attack of the second half and on 13 minutes the sides
were level. Monaghan to their credit dominated the final
quarter with Kindlon hitting 1-2 and Catriona Mc Connell
bringing her match tally to 0-5. The pick of the Donegal
side was Yvonne Mc Monagle who scored five points.

In
Division 2 Down beat Longford 2-10 to 2-3. The game was
played on a very heavy pitch and was the Mourne girls
first ever game in this division. Wing forward Aileen
Pyers was the pick of the Adown side contributing 2-5
of her sides tally.

In
Division 3 Derry had to withstand a late rally to secure
the two points against Westmeath 3-7 to 1-10. Youngsters
Clodagh Gormley and Alisha Wilkinson (2) scored the important
goals. Emma Kelly, Cathy
Conway and Bridgeen Cassidy were all outstanding. Fermanagh
also kicked their Division 3 campaign off with an excellent
win over Offaly. The Erne girls won 3-24 to 1-2.

In
the B League Monaghan’s second string scored a massive
5-25 to 2-1 victory over Louth. Ten different players
scored with Sinead Mc Cooey (2), Edel Hackett, Lisa Mc
Connon and Charlotte Brady hitting the goals.