Double digits for Ardee Celtic ladies

WOMEN’S LEAGUE

IT was a night to remember for Ardee Celtic on Monday as they hit Rossin Rovers for 11 goals at Townparks in their Division 1 opener.

Four goals from Ashlyn Ryan and a hat-trick from Katie Hall were among the many standout performances from the Deesiders.

It took Eugene McEneaney’s side just 10 minutes to register the first of nine first-half goals as Katie Hall fired home to begin the rout.

Orlaith Carolan made it 2-0 to the hosts with the first of her two goals and Sara Butler was next to put her name on the scoresheet.

Two more goals from Hall and Ryan along with a Caoimhe Carolan strike gave Ardee a commanding lead at half-time.

Ryan hit two more goals before the hour mark, and while Rossin scored three in the final 30 minutes there was no taking away from a sublime performance by the home team.

Albion Rovers’ start to the Premier Division may have ended in defeat, but Stephen Floyd’s side put in a valiant effort away to Kingscourt on Monday night.

A penalty on 43 minutes for Harps was enough to see them take all three points. Ellen Tester made some good saves throughout the game, but just couldn’t keep out the spot kick.

Floyd travelled to Cavan with just 13 players against a fullstrength Kingscourt side.

Katie Callan led the line for the visitors, and while they came away with a defeat, there are plenty of positives to take for the season ahead.

Duleek got their Division 1 campaign off to the best possible start in a nine-goal thriller at Claremont Stadium against Parkvilla, coming out on top on a 5-4 scoreline.

Dan Martin’s side hit the front after just 10 minutes when Martin’s assistant coach Leanne Gaughran hit the back of the net after some sustained pressure.

The hosts came roaring back and went 2-1 ahead before Shauna Leech restored parity on 35 minutes with the first of a twogoal haul.

Chances were few and far between early in the second half, but Duleek were very much in control and Robbyn James put the visitors ahead just before the hour mark.

Then on 66 minutes a Libby Connor free kick pumped into the box saw a Parkvilla player put the ball in her own net to make it 4-2.

Leech then made it 5-2 to Duleek with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Parkvilla scored twice in the final five minutes to set up a grandstand finish, but Duleek held on for a well deserved win.

With this being the Easter holiday, all the clubs will have a break before the resumption of league activities the following weekend.