Suzuki Ladies Quarter Final Round Up

Frank Browne has clearly had an impact on the westerners
since taking over at the beginning of the year, introducing
a number of new faces, including Lisa Cafferkey, who has
been hugely effective all season. The corner-forward weighed
in with a brace of second half goals in this victory, mirroring
the first half achievement of Cora Staunton, who registered
one of her goals from a penalty. Mayo led by 2-9 to 0-5
at the break and their progress was never threatened, despite
the efforts of Gráinne Nulty and Elaine Duffy. Staunton
put on an exhibition of point-taking in the latter period,
with one score from a ’45 out on the sideline the standout
of an exemplary bunch.

The Cork-Armagh quarter-final failed to reproduce the expected
fireworks with the Rebelettes prevailing comfortably on
a 2-10 to 0-8 scoreline, having led by 1-6 to 0-3 at half
time. Laura McMahon, a sister of Cork men’s forward Kevin,
got that crucial first half goal and helped herself to a
second after the resumption to quell the Armagh resistance
that was led by Aileen Matthews, who registered five points.
The Orchard girls could not break down a Cork defence in
which Angela Walsh and Linda Barrett were outstanding to
get the goal they badly needed to get themselves back into
the game and they must now concentrate their attentions
on the championship.

Kerry came out on top in a high-scoring encounter against
Monaghan 5-14 to 2-10. The margin was harsh on the Ulster
girls who will curse their profligacy in attack that saw
them spurn a host of gilt-edged opportunities. Having said
that, there was no doubting the merit of Kerry’s win, with
captain Sarah O’Connor continuing her outstanding form with
2-2, while inside forwards Geraldine O’Shea (1-5) and Kacey
O’Driscoll (1-3) also caused havoc. Monaghan did get plenty
of joy from the midfield exchanges however but despite Therese
McNally’s goal and six points from Niamh Kindlon, they ended
up being well beaten due to the razor-sharp movement and
finishing of the Kerry attack.

It was much easier than expected for Galway as they accounted
for Laois 1-9 to 0-5 in the last quarter-final. The O’Moore
girls opened with a Gemma O’Connor point but that was their
only score of the first half. Galway midfielder Aoibheann
Daly weighed in with three points and Philomena Flaherty
notched a 12th minute goal as the Tribeswomen went into
a 1-7 to 0-1 half time lead. Laois tried hard to cut the
deficit in the second half and points from Tracy Lawlor,
Kay O’Reilly and Emer Fitzpatrick went some way to doing
that but with Claire Molloy and Marie O’Connell leading
Galway’s defensive effort, a comeback was never on the cards.

Results Suzuki Ladies NFL quarter-finals Division 1: Mayo
4-18 Meath 4-9; Kerry 5-14 Monaghan 2-10; Galway 1-9 Laois
0-5; Cork 2-10 Armagh 0-8 Division 2: Wexford 3-10 Clare
1-10; Dublin 3-12 Down 1-4; Longford 0-8, Sligo 0-12; Tipperary
2-16 Leitrim 2-4 Division 3: Cavan 3-11 Wicklow 0-11; Derry
3-6 Fermanagh 4-8; Louth 1-11, Kilkenny 3-4, Carlow 1-8
Westmeath 1-16