Round Up of the Weekends Action

Ladies Football round up

 

Compiled by Jackie Cahill

 

NIAMH McEvoy’s first half goal proved decisive as Dublin progressed to the semi final of the TG4 Leinster Ladies senior football championship at Kildare’s expense on Sunday.

The 2010 All-Ireland champions ran out comfortable 1-14 to 2-4 winners at Hawkfield but were given plenty to think about by a spirited Kildare team, particularly in the first half.

With just five minutes to half-time, Kildare were trailing by just a point but McEvoy’s 28th minute goal helped Dublin to lead by 1-3 to 0-5 at half-time.

Shortly before the break, the Sky Blues had a real let off when Kildare’s Emer Fogarty rattled the crossbar and the hosts went close again early in the second half when Brianne Leahy was denied by a superb Cliodhna O’Connor save.

Dublin moved up the gears to establish a healthy lead before Áine Gately struck for Kildare’s second half goal.

Dublin replied, however, with six successive points before Kildare pulled a consolation goal back in stoppage time when goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine beat her opposite number O’Connor from a penalty.

On Saturday, Division 4 League champions Longford collected further silverware in the form of the Leinster intermediate title.

Anne-Marie Bratten and Aisling Reynolds were among the goals at Arklow GAA grounds as the visitors scored a 3-16 to 1-8 victory against Wicklow.

Elsewhere, Sligo edged out Leitrim by just a single point in a classic Gillespie’s Tubbercurry Connacht intermediate semi-final at Elvery’s McHale Park, Castlebar, on Sunday.

Sligo claimed a 4-14 to 3-16 win thanks to Emma Hansberry’s last gasp point – her third after coming off the substitute’s bench.

A haul of 2-8 from Leitrim hotshot Áine Tighe wasn’t enough on a day when Elaine O’Reilly topscored for the winners with 2-2.

Meanwhile, the Ulster junior and intermediate finals took place at the Morgan Athletic Grounds, Armagh, on Saturday.

Ciara Lennon, Shauna O’Hagan and Kelly Mallon scored Armagh’s goals as they defeated Cavan by 3-10 to 2-4 in the intermediate final.

In the junior final, Antrim routed Derry by 7-20 to 2-4 – with Rachael Fulton and Geraldine McCann bagging two goals each.