Leinster review


Leinster review
Bord Gáis Energy
Ladies National Football League

With just two rounds remaining and so little between the Counties in the Bord Gais Energy Ladies NFL, tension is mounting across the County before the play offs, to decide who has the X factor to win promotion and who will get relegated.
Also up for selection over the remainder of the NFL are places on the Bord Gais Energy teams of the league for each division, last years competition was a great success with players from the four divisions receiving National recognition for the time and commitment that they give to their sport.
In Division one, Laois slipped up in their last two games, the first against Tyrone, when they were beaten by two costly points (0-9 to 0-11), while on Saturday last they faced table toppers Galway in Ballinasloe, and once again the O’Moore girls let it slip, losing out by the narrowest of margins (2-11 to 2-12). Their next encounter will be an away trip, where they will face the might of Cork, followed by an all Leinster clash against Dublin on the eleventh of April in the final round of the league.
Dublin have also had a hit and miss league campaign to date, with two wins and a draw from five games played, on Saturday last Monaghan ( view photos on www.gaapics.com) scored a crucial victory against hosts Dublin 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, the Dubs can not afford to let another three points slip under the radar, when they take on Tyrone on the 28th of March, this will be Dublin’s fourth and final home game of this years NFL, so a big turn out would be greatly appreciated by the Dublin team and Management.
In division two, Meath and Kildare share second place on nine points with Tipperary and Donegal, however, both Meath and Donegal have a game in hand, their third round game was called due to poor weather conditions at that time.
On Saturday last Meath had a well earned two point win over Tipperary (5-4 to 2-11), This was a tough, dogged, performance, by a Meath side that are improving with each game in this Bord Gáis Energy NFL campaign. Saturdays game was a physical, competitive one, with referee Garryowen McMahon awarding two penalties to the Royal in the first period, the first after three minutes, the second two minutes from the break, the first was duly converted by Meath’s Elaine Duffy, unfortunately Duffy pulled her second spot kick wide of the target.
Meath matched Tipperary time and time again, and their never say die attitude continues to flourish, This was a great team display from Meath, with the team gelling really well. Best for the Royals on the day were Kellie Allen, Shauna Bennett, Eve Wardick, Stephanie Byrne and goalkeeper Monica McGuirk. Meath now have a fortnight to plan for their next game as the O’Connor Cup Finals take central stage. A trip to the Banner County awaits the Royal ladies on March 28th, and they will surely need a well earned break after last Saturdays tough encounter.
Meath Team: M.McGuirk, A. Murray, P. Sheridan, C. Coffey, C. Dempsey, J. Rispin, E. Wardick, M. Sheridan, S. Byrne, S. Bennett, O. Sheridan, G. Doherty, E. Duffy, K. Allen, B. Lynch. Subs: S. Martin for Lynch, V. McCormack for O. Sheridan.
Kildare have three wins under their belt from five games played, on Saturday last they travelled West to take all three points from their encounter with Sligo, to give them a total of nine points going in to the final two rounds. The lilies head North on the 28th to meet Down, on paper they should add a further three points from this encounter before they welcome Donegal to their patch in the final round of the Bord Gais Energy Ladies NFL.
Three out of the four Leinster teams competing in division three of the Bord Gais Energy Ladies NFL are on equal points, Longford, Wexford and Wicklow have six points in their account from five games while Westmeath have three points in the bank, after they registered a two point win (1-10 to 1-8) over Waterford on Saturday last.
Two goals from Wexford’s Tara Maloney was the deciding factor when Wexford and Wicklow went head to head in Wexford Park on Saturday last, ( view Photos on www.gaapics.com ) although it was the Garden County that led the charge from the start, the model were quick to get in to the groove as both sides exchanged scores through out the first half, with just two points separating the sides(1-9 to 1-7) at the break in Wicklow’s favour.
Wexford went up a gear in the second half, or perhaps Wicklow took their foot off the gas, and the home side took full advantage adding two goals and six points while the visitors notched up five points, to finish the game 1-13 to Wexfords 3-13. Wicklow will have a chance for revenge as the two Counties will meet again in the Leinster championship, but until then Wicklow travel to take on table toppers Cavan on Sunday the 21st, while Wexford play host to Roscommon on the 28th. The Wicklow management would like to thanks their sponsor Odlums for their continued support. Scorers on the day for Wicklow were: Ann Marie Doran (1:0) Caitriona McKeon (Capt) (0:1) Lucy Mulhall (0:4) Caoilfhionn Deeney (0:4) Niamh Carroll (0:1) Geraldine Norton (0:1) Mikaela Shelley (0:1) Sarah Reid (0:1)
In division four, Louth received a walk over from Derry, while Kilkenny notched up their first win of the league with a convincing win over Offaly (4-6 to 1-8) on Saturday last, however their next game will be a little tougher when they travel North to face Antrim.
Offaly are also on the road, but in the opposite direction as they travel South to take on Limerick on the 28th next.
Louth play host to Leitrim, the wild rose county are sitting pretty on top of division four with nine points after a hat trick of league wins. The Wee county have bagged three points from three outings, and a win over Leitrim would be a timely boost for the Leinster County.
My thanks to Aisling Cleary (Meath PRO), Paul Flynn (Wicklow PRO), and Breda Curran (Wexford Secretary) for soup and sandwich’s on Saturday last.

 

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