Galway and Mayo book their place in last four

MAYO and Galway have joined holders Cork and TG4 All-Ireland champions Dublin in qualifying for the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 semi-finals.

Mayo booked their place in the last four with a nine-point victory over Monaghan yesterday.

Their meeting in Swinford threw up nine goals, with Sarah Rowe bagging three for the Westerners, while her DCU team-mate Muireann Atkinson hit a brace at the other end.

Mayo’s inside forward line of Rowe and the Kelly sisters – Niamh and Grace – were on fire, combining for 4-8, but Peter Leahy’s charges were made to work for the 6-11 to 3-11 win throughout.

Meanwhile, Galway ensured progress to the knockout phase by overcoming Westmeath 0-13 to 0-7 in Mullingar.

On Saturday, Dublin ensured that they’ll finish at the summit of Division 1 by seeing off already-relegated Kerry by 1-16 to 1-11 at DCU (St Clare’s).

BRACE

Donegal raised four green flags in their emphatic 4-11 to 2-3 victory over Cork in Letterkenny, with Yvonne Bonner and TG4 All Star Niamh Hegarty grabbing a brace each.

Dublin will meet Galway in the semi-finals, with Cork, who are aiming for a sixth successive title, pitted against Mayo.

In Division 2, Waterford will meet Cavan in the semi-finals, while Tipperary have been paired with Armagh.

Waterford finished on top of the pile yesterday on headto-head, as they claimed a 1-19 to 2-6 victory over Shane Ronayne’s side at WIT.

The Munster rivals and promotion hopefuls were joined in the semi-finals by Cavan and Armagh.

Meanwhile, Sligo were relegated from Division 2 after their clash with Laois finished 4-12 to 2-12.

In Division 3, tabletoppers Wexford will face Kildare in the semi-finals, while Meath will play Down. Leitrim are relegated, while in Division 4 there’s one outstanding issue.

Victory for Antrim over Derry in the remaining group fixture on Tuesday would see them leapfrog Fermanagh into fourth place.

SEMI-FINAL PAIRINGS

Division 1: Cork v Mayo, Dublin v Galway Division 2: Waterford v Cavan, Tipperary v Armagh Division 3: Wexford v Kildare, Meath v Down Division 4: TBC

Semi-finals to be played on April 21/22. Times and venues to be confirmed.