Seven-goal Dublin keep final hopes alive
ALL-IRELAND champions Dublin kept their hopes of reaching the Lidl NFL Division One final alive with this comprehensive dismissal of Armagh at the Athletic Grounds.
Armagh had already qualified for the League Final after last week’s win over Mayo, but Dublin needed to win to keep the pressure on Kerry, who play Galway today. The Kingdom must win if they are to clinch that final spot ahead of the Dubs.
So, with that in mind Armagh manager Gregory McGonigle rested 10 first-team players, although Caroline O’Hanlon was ruled out through injury.
Dublin started well and it took only three minutes before firing home their first of four opening half goals, Hannah Tyrrell blasted into the net from close range after Niamh Hetherton’s effort crashed off the post.
Two minutes later, Armagh’s young keeper Brianna Mathers was picking the ball out of the net for the second time, Tyrrell again on target. Orlagh Nolan’s tap-in gave Dublin a 3-3 to no score lead with just six minutes gone.
Armagh looked to have steadied themselves with two converted frees from Kelly Mallon but it was all too easy for Carla Rowe who soloed through the home defence before lashing into the net.
Armagh tightened their defence but Dublin were content to take their points, with Rowe, Tyrrell, Martha Byrne and the impressive Grace Kos on target to lead by 4-7 to 0-3 at the break.
Armagh made six half-time substitutions and Kelly Mallon’s goal and point soon after a restart hinted at something of a comeback but Niamh Crowley put an end to such notions with Dublin’s fifth goal.
Meave Ferguson’s sin-bin 13 minutes from time didn’t help Armagh although they couldn’t be faulted for effort.
Dublin’s sixth goal came in the 53rd minute when Armagh failed to deal with Chloe Darby’s speculative long ball in and the last kick of the game from Annabelle Timothy sealed a big win for Dublin.