Kingdom & Capital Qualify as Champions Keep Hopes Alive

HOLDERS Cork maintained their hopes of a top-four finish in Division 1 of the Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League with a comprehensive victory over Laois on Sunday.

The All-Ireland champions ran out 3-19 to 0-4 winners at Cork IT and victory over Tyrone in next weekend’s final group fixture would see the Leesiders safely through to the semi-finals.

With 15 minutes gone, Cork were 1-8 to 0-0 in front before Laois bagged their opening score in the 23^rd minute.

Orla Finn had netted Cork’s opening goal and by half-time, Eamonn Ryan’s charges were 1-11 to 0-3 in front.

Ryan made a number of changes at the break, including the withdrawal of his entire starting forward line, but the hosts pushed on relentlessly in the second half.

A penalty from Emma Farmer was followed by Orlagh Farmer’s goal and Cork were boosted further by the return of Norita Kelly to intercounty football, following a stint abroad.

Elsewhere, Dublin and Kerry made sure of semi-final spots with big wins over Tyrone and Mayo respectively.

Lyndsey Davey scored all four goals for Dublin on their visit to Tyrone as the Sky Blues ran out emphatic 4-19 to 0-9 winners.

And at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Munster champions Kerry defeated Mayo by 4-15 to 0-10.

Mayo travelled without absent forward Cora Staunton and All Star goalkeeper Yvonne Byrne and the Westerners now look set to miss out on a top four finish.

That would be a setback for Peter Clarke’s side as Mayo contested last year’s League final against Cork.

Playing with a strong wind from the start, Kerry led by 2-10 to 0-2 by the end of a one-sided first half.

Sarah Houlihan netted in the tenth minute before Debra Murphy added a second goal for the Kingdom just before the break.

Mayo were more competitive in the second half but Kerry added goals from Deirdre Corridan and Amy Foley to clinch a 17-point win.

In Division 2, there were victories for Clare, Cavan and Galway and in Division 3, Wexford, Tipperary, Armagh and Waterford emerged with wins from their fixtures.

 

Results:

Sunday March 30^th

 

TESCO Homegrown National Football League Division 1

 

Tyrone 0-9 Dublin 4-19

Cork 3-19 Laois 0-4

Kerry 4-15 Mayo 0-10

TESCO Homegrown National Football League Division 2

Clare 3-8 Westmeath 1-13

Fermanagh 0-3 Cavan 4-20

Meath 1-8 Galway 7-13

 

TESCO Homegrown National Football League Division 3

Offaly 1-6 Wexford 5-11

Armagh 4-9 Sligo 3-10

Tipperary 0-15 Longford 1-7

Waterford 6-8 Leitrim 3-8

TESCO Homegrown National Football League Division 4

Limerick 2-11 Antrim 2-10

Wicklow L Derry L

Roscommon 3-12 Louth 0-4.