Blues cruise as Loreto seal three-in-a-row
CAOIMHE O’CONNOR and Kate Sullivan grabbed goals in each half at DCU St Clare’s yesterday as Dublin bolstered their Lidl National Football League Division 1 prospects with an emphatic victory against Cork.
The result of today’s showdown between Kerry and Meath could see them dropping down in the league standings.
But Mick Bohan’s reigning TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winners find themselves occupying second place in the NFL’s top-tier for the time being — leaving them well in contention for a league final spot ahead of their away encounter with Armagh next Saturday.
Despite showing plenty of endeavour throughout, this game represented Cork’s fifth consecutive reversal of 2024 and they will be battling to avoid relegation to Division 2 when they pay a visit to Meath next week.
While the Leesiders opened the scoring in this contest courtesy of a sixth-minute point from wing-forward Emma Cleary, Dublin responded with unanswered scores by Orlagh Nolan, Carla Rowe and Hannah Tyrrell (free).
Pointed frees from Ellie Jack and Abigail Ring brought Cork back on level terms just shy of the first-quarter mark, but Dublin created significant daylight when O’Connor fired clinically beyond the reach of Caoimhe Richmond for a goal on 19 minutes.
Marauding half-back Kate Murray and Rowe also found the range either side of another Ring free to propel Dublin towards a 1-5 to 0-4 interval cushion.
On the resumption, Bohan introduced St Sylvester’s duo Sinead Aherne and Nicole Owens for their first appearances of the campaign — the latter featuring for the first time since their TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Donegal in July 2022.
Several other substitutes were added to the mix as the action progressed, but the hosts continued to defend and attack with confidence. A fine point from Aherne followed up a brace from Tyrrell and when Sullivan rattled the net from close range in the 47th minute, it effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt.
Annabelle Timothy and Chloe Darby (fresh from winning the Yoplait O’Connor Cup with DCU Dochas Eireann last weekend) also added their names to the scoresheet off the bench, before
Cork finally responded with a Sadhbh McGoldrick point on 56 minutes.
Lydia McDonagh also split the uprights for the visitors late on, but a Sullivan score moments earlier ensured Dublin finished with 11 points to spare.
Elsewhere, Loreto Cavan completed a remarkable three-in-arow of Lidl All Ireland Post
Primary school Ladies’ Junior ‘A’ Football championship titles, defeating FCJ Bunclody in the National Games Development Centre, Abbotstown yesterday.
The champions were in irresistible form, mixing a sensational attacking performance with a masterclass in defending as a team.
FCJ Bunclody battled superbly and showed glimpses of what got them to this decider but there was no doubt about the better side on the day.
FCJ Bunclody got off the perfect start, with Leah Roban speeding away on the right before rattling the net.
She quickly added a point but Loreto Cavan didn’t take long to respond, with Kate Fagan majoring after a clean one-two with Katie O’Meara.
Points from Muireann Donohoe and Caitlin Crowe put Loreto ahead for the first time and the Ulster champions showed their devastating attacking quality again when O’Meara flashes to the net to make it 2-2 to 1-1 after eight minutes.
The blistering scoring start was never likely to continue but Bunclody did respond with a second goal of their own, with Roban turning provider for Aoife Somers to crash past Abby McDermott.
Loreto Cavan didn’t blink as Donohoe, Eimear Gannon and Donohoe all tacked on points to move their school 2-7 to 2-1 up. Yet FCJ kept their opponents scoreless for the last 11 minutes of the half, with a Hannah Lawless over leaving five between them at halftime.
Another good start was needed for FCJ if they were to challenge the powerful Loreto and they produced just that when Maura Doyle sent Emily Roban into the clear for another superbly finished goal in the 32nd minute.
However Loreto Cavan hit right back, Katie McGahern and Brianna Quaile both clipped over points before the sensational O’Meara drilled home her second goal.
Weaker teams would have buckled at that point but Bunclody created multiple goal chances in the last twenty minutes, with Orla O’Rourke, Maura Doyle, Emily Roban and Somers all going close to further majors.
However, Loreto Cavan outscored FCJ 0-7 to 0-3 after their third goal, with O’Meara bringing her tally to 2-5 with an outrageous point to see her school safely to a memorable third title in a row.