Review of Ladies' football action

Sunday, 2 March 2008 20:05

Galway catapulted themselves into the driving seat in Division 1B with a two-point win over Monaghan in Emyvale.

With one game remaining in the group, Cork lie on top of the division with nine points while Monaghan and Galway are now locked together on seven points each.

If Galway manage to defeat Kildare in their final outing in the group then they are guaranteed a place in the semi-finals of the competition. Cork and Monaghan meet in their final game of the group.

There was little to choose between both teams in the contest with Monaghan leading by 1-04 to 0-06 at half-time.

Therese McNally scored the only goal of the half in an impressive display and it looked likely that Monaghan would make use of home advantage and drive on to victory.

McNally finished the game with a total of 1-02 in a superb display but the game’s top scorer, Galway’s Una Carroll, dwarfed even her contribution. Carroll finished the game with a personal tally of 1-05 including the all-important second half goal.

Galway and Monaghan traded points right up until the final minutes of the game and were level at 1-08 apiece with five minutes remaining on the clock.

Carroll and Niamh Fahy added a couple of points to secure a win for the westerners in a highly entertaining game.

Galway were well served by Carroll and Fahy, Marie Connolly, who was outstanding in defence and Geraldine Conneely. Best on the day for Monaghan were McNally, Cora Courtney and Amanda Casey.

A win by Galway in their final game against could very well see them meeting Kerry in a repeat of last year’s League semi-final when Galway triumphed over Kerry in Tuam.

Monaghan on the other hand are left with the daunting task of having to defeat All Ireland champions Cork to secure a place in the knock out stages.

Limerick moved a step closer to the semi-final stages in Division 3 as they beat Kilkenny away in Clogh by 3-08 to 1-08.

Emir Enright goaled early on as Limerick opened up a 1-2 lead inside the opening ten minutes.

But the Junior All Ireland champions hit back strongly through points from Marie Dargan and Kelly Ann Copthall to level at the end of the opening quarter 0-05 to 1-02.

Dympna O’Brien was causing havoc at full forward for Limerick and along with corner-forward Caitriona Davis they pilfered two late goals before the break.

Marie Dargan kept the game in the balance with a well taken goal before the interval as the sides went in at half-time 1-05 to 3-03.

Five unanswered points midway through the second period ensured that Limerick would move to the top of the table as O’Brien and Davis edged the visitors further clear on their way to registering a six-point win.

Results

Suzuki National Division 1A
Laois 2-11 Kerry 2-11
Mayo 2-6 Armagh 4-8
Tyrone 3-23 Wexford 1-5

Division 1B
Cork 2-8 Dublin 2-11
Meath 3-10 Kildare 3-10
Monaghan 1-8 Galway 1-10

Division 2A
Westmeath 0-10 Waterford 1-13
Sligo received a walkover from Leitrim

Division 2B
Tipperary 3-6 Down3-13
Fermanagh 2-5 Longford 0-6 (played on Saturday)

Division 3A
Offaly 2-4 Louth 1-12
Roscommon received a walkover from Roscommon

Division 3B
Wicklow 3-7 Derry 3-14
Antrim 0-3 London 2-11
Kilkenny 1-8 Limerick 3-8