Round-up of Ladies NFL Finals

Week ending 4th of May 2008.

All-Ireland champions Cork regained the Suzuki Ladies National Football League Division 1 crown with a comprehensive 6-13 to 2-10 victory against Munster rivals Kerry at Cusack Park in Ennis.

Cork, who lost out to eventual winners Mayo in last year's semi-final, produced a power-packed performance to reclaim the league title they last won in 2006.

The Rebelettes were on top form from the very start and Valerie Mulcahy's early goal helped to open up a 1-3 to 0-0 advantage after just 12 minutes.

Deirdre O'Reilly and Amy O'Shea added further goals against a shell-shocked Kerry, who trailed by 3-4 to 0-1 with just 19 minutes on the watch.

Quickfire goals from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and substitute Aoife O'Sullivan dragged the Kingdom back into contention as they trailed by 3-4 to 2-1 but any hope of a revival was quickly extinguished before half-time when Laura McMahon scored Cork's fourth goal.

Cork led by 4-5 to 2-3 at the interval and in a real goal-fest, Amy O'Shea scored her second and Cork's fifth before Rhona Buckley bagged her side's sixth goal midway through the second half to establish an unassailable 6-7 to 2-8 lead.

Amy O'Shea finished with an individual haul of 2-1 while team-mate and player of the match Valerie Mulcahy, Cork's classy corner forward, helped herself to 1-4.

Kerry, suffering their first league defeat of the year, were best served by first half substitute O'Sullivan, who scored 1-4, but the Kingdom's 15-year wait for major silverware continues.

Cork, winners of the last three All-Ireland titles, have immense strength in depth and their experience of winning big games stood them in good stead.

The Division 2 final between Clare and Donegal was an absolute cracker at sun-kissed Cusack Park.

First half goals from 16-year-old Eimear Considine and player of the match Áine Kelly helped Clare to a 2-5 to 0-8 half-time lead but Donegal came on strong in the second half.

Substitute Karen Guthrie made a big difference and kicked two fine scores but a brave Donegal revival fell just short as Clare, playing on home soil, held out to claim a first Division 2 title since 2000.

Majella Griffin was in good scoring form for Clare with seven points from frees while Nadine Doherty and Bridget Gallagher kicked 0-4 apiece for Donegal.

Meanwhile, Cavan captured their very first league title with a 1-9 to 1-5 victory against Limerick in an exciting Division 3 final at Semple Stadium.

Cavan were well in control at half-time having opened up a 0-8 to 0-2 lead but a storming second half fightback from Limerick, aided by Eimear Enright's 46th-minute goal, brought the Shannonsiders to within a single point of their opponents with 12 minutes remaining.

Trailing by 0-9 to 1-5 and playing with real momentum, Limerick looked set for victory but the Breffni girls dug in and Renee Murphy scored a last-minute goal to ensure a famous win.