The Avondhu

League standings defined after weekend matches

BY JOHN FALLON

Donegal have been relegated from Division 1 of the Lidl Ladies National Football League, following a 5-9 to 3-2 defeat to Mayo in Letterkenny on Sunday in a relegation shootout.

Mayo had their top flight status all but secured by the interval when they built up a commanding 4-5 to 0-1 interval lead.

They never looked like relinquishing that control, although Donegal came with a late flurry of three goals.

Elsewhere in Division 1 on Sunday, Kerry finished on top following victory over Galway at Tuam Stadium. Both sides had already booked their place in the Lidl National League Division 1 final and will meet again at Croke Park on Saturday, April 15 (5pm).

Two goals from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh helped Kerry lead by 2-5 to 0-8 at the interval at Tuam Stadium, with Hannah O’Donoghue getting their third goal after the restart, before they held off a spirited Galway rally.

Also in Division 1 on Sunday, a hat-trick from Orlagh Nolan helped Dublin to a 5-8 to 0-7 win over Waterford.

And on Saturday, in the live TG4 game, Cork finished their campaign with a 2-8 to 0-11 win over All-Ireland champions Meath, with Libby Coppinger and Eimear Kelly getting the goals in the opening half. Cork manager, Shane Ronayne said there was plenty to work on before the championship: “We’re happy enough with the win and we finished the league strong, but the lasting impression was the second-half wasn’t great to be involved in or to watch. But we dug out the win in the end. We were well on top in the first half and got sucked in for the second-half and didn’t adapt to the way Meath were playing. But that’s something to work on and we have plenty to work on ahead of the championship and we know that.”

DIVISION 2

In Division 2, it was confirmed that Laois will join Armagh in the final at Croke Park on April 15. They defeated Roscommon by 2-9 to 1-5 and go through on the head-to-head rule against Tipperary, having defeated them in the group stages. Roscommon are relegated after this loss.

DIVISION 3

In Division 3, the confirmed finalists are Clare and Kildare, following a dramatic final day of group action, with Longford relegated. Kildare beat Wexford to qualify.

That left Wexford in a threeway tie with Down and Clare, but the margin of Clare’s 7-15 to 2-3 win over Longford not only sealed their place in the final, but also sent Longford down to Division 4 for 2024, after they tied with Sligo and Offaly.

The Divisions 3 and 4 finals will be played as a double header at Parnell Park on Sunday, April 16.

DIVISION 4

The Division 4 final will be contested by Antrim and Leitrim, who enjoyed semi-final victories over Limerick and Fermanagh respectively on Sunday.

NFL ROUND SEVEN RESULTS

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1: Cork 2-8, Meath 0-11; Mayo 5-9 Donegal 3-2; Kerry 3-11 Galway 0-17; Dublin 5-8 Waterford 0-7.

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2: Armagh 3-12 Tipperary 0-10; Laois 2-9 Roscommon 1-5; Westmeath 2-10 Monaghan 1-11; Tyrone w/o Cavan.

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3: Offaly 2-12 Sligo 1-13; Kildare 1-10 Wexford 0-6; Clare 7-15 Longford 2-3; Down 2-10 Louth 1-9.

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4 semi-finals: Antrim 3-16 Limerick 1-11; Leitrim 1-12, Fermanagh 1-10 (AET).

SPORT

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2023-03-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://avondhu.pressreader.com/article/283725548570034

The Avondhu (Ireland)