Kingdom dig deep to see off gutsy Galway
Holders Kerry to defend title in final clash with Armagh
KERRY will face Kerry in the 2024 Lidl National League Division 1 final at Croke Park on Sunday April 7. Armagh were already safely through before Saturday’s clash with Dublin and will now face off against title holders Kerry in the top-flight showpiece.
Kerry booked their place in the final with a 2-11 to 0-12 win over Galway in Killarney. Leading by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break thanks to a goal from Danielle O’Leary, the Kingdom held off an improved Galway side with Hannah O’Donoghue getting their second goal to seal the win.
Kerry started in whirlwind fashion and found themselves 1-3 to 0-1 ahead after 14 minutes. Niamh Carmody got the home side off the mark in the second minute but Róisín Leonard equalised three minutes later with a brilliant free off the ground from 40 metres.
Kerry struck for a fortunate goal when Danielle O’Leary looked to be shooting for a point but it dipped into the top corner of Dearbhla Gower’s net. Lorraine Scanlon pointed from the kick-out and the lively Katie Brosnan popped over another to push the Munster outfit 1-3 to 0-1 ahead.
It was 1-3 to 0-5 at the interval as Galway fought back but a brace of points from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh frees edged Kerry to the winning tape.
Cork will play in Division 2 next year for the first time since 2003 after suffering their sixth loss of the campaign when they went down by double scores to Meath on a 2-14 to 1-7 scoreline.
Emma Duggan scored 0-7 for Meath, five of them from play while Marion Farrelly and Shelly
Melia got the goals.
Duggan kicked over two fine points inside the opening two minutes. Cork were twice in the opposition half in the early minutes but gave away the ball cheaply when in possession.
The Royal County side dominated play but their shot selection was poor and they were unable to extend their lead. During the first half they kicked eight wides.
A poor Meath kick-out was picked up by Lydia McDonagh in the 25th minute, she passed to Sadhbh O’Leary who found the bottom corner of the net. It was the first time the Rebels were ahead.
A fine Máire O’Callaghan put Cork ahead by two in the 30th minute but Aisling McCabe cut the deficit to one going in at the break at 1-4 to 0-6.
Three minutes into the second half Cork had a chance to extend their lead after Daire Kiely was fouled for a penalty, but her spot-kick was saved by Meath goalkeeper Robyn Murray. Within two minutes Meath were ahead by three — a free from Duggan and a goal from Melia helping to alter the trend of the contest.
Meath raised the green flag again in the 57th minute when Farrelly finished to the net. Substitute Ailbhe Leary sealed a fine win with a point in stoppage time.
Galway will now face Waterford in a refixed game which was postponed last week due to weather, with the losers making the drop to Division 2.
Waterford went down by 2-9 to 2-6 to Mayo in Ballina. Fionnuala McLaughlin got both goals for Mayo, while Lauren McGregor got 2-2 for Waterford but it wasn’t enough.
On Saturday, Dublin ousted an understrength Armagh side by 7-10 to 1-4 to keep their hopes of a place in the final alive, but Kerry killed them off with their win over Galway.
In Division 2, Kildare and Tyrone were already assured of a final place at
Croke Park on April 7 ahead of the final round of group fixtures. Both sides finished with victory with Kildare defeating Westmeath by 2-9 to 1-7 while Tyrone overcame Cavan by 1-10 to 1-5.
Donegal were single-point winners against Tipperary with Katy Herron and Niamh McLaughlin finding the net. Monaghan ensured their Division 2 status as they were big winners against Laois on a 3-18 to 0-6 scoreline.
At the bottom of the table, it will be Cavan who join Laois in Division 3 next season, a fivepoint defeat to Tyrone confirming their relegation.
And in Division 3, with Clare and Roscommon also through to a final meeting in Birr on Saturday April 6, all eyes were focused on the battle for survival.
After both were defeated ysterday, Antrim and Sligo will be playing Division 4 football next year. Roscommon defeated Antrim by 4-6 to 1-14 and with the final to come, ended their round of games at the top of the table. However, defeat for Antrim also sees them relegated, just a season after gaining promotion.
Down ended their league on a high as they defeated finalists Clare. Meanwhile, Offaly were big winners over Wexford while Louth also came up with a big performance, defeating Sligo by 2-12 to 2-7, ensuring the Wee County’s safety in Division 3 and relegating Sligo. The Division 4 final will be contested by Limerick and Carlow. Limerick got the better of Leitrim by 2-10 to 1-11 while a late goal from Maeve O’Neill snatched a 28 to 1-10 win for Carlow against Fermanagh, securing a place in the final and promotion.
Cork have not
played Div 2 since 2003