Leinster review
Bord Gáis Energy
Ladies National Football League round 4
(Michael Forde Leinster PRO 21.2.2010)

Div: 1. Dublin 5-17 Kerry 1-6
Sinead Ahern was once again Dublin's top earner against Kerry on Sunday last in Naomh Mearnogs, Portmarnock, with a personal tally of 1-7. The game was slightly delayed, as referee Gavin Corrigan navigated his way to the Dublin venue. However when the action got under way it was the Kingdom that were first to raise the white flag, with a point apiece from Patrice Dennehy and Debbie Murphy.
Twelve minutes had elapsed before Niamh McEvoy hit the back of Ciara O'Connors net to release the brakes off the Dublin roller coaster and set it on its way. The Dubs had opened an eight point lead at the break (2-7 to 0-5), with scores from McEvoy, Ahern, Natalia Hyland, Mary Nevin and Gemma Fay, while the Kerry's first half scores coming from Debbie Murphy, Noelle Scanlon, Patrice Dennehy and Louis Ni Mhuircheartaigh.
From the restart, Dublin kept the Kerry defence under extreme pressure, adding a further three goals and ten points, while Kerry's Patrice Dennehy and Louis Ni Mhuircheartaigh tagged on a goal and a point respectively, before Gavin Corrigan called for the ball.
Dublin will be given a sterner test on Saturday next (13.3.'10), when they welcome Monaghan to their home patch in Naomh Mearnogs, Portmarnock, and while both counties are level on seven points, the Farney's have a game in hand over the Jackies.

Laois 0-9 Tyrone 0-11.
As the battle for the top spot in Div one heats up, Laois lie in joint second place with Dublin and Monaghan, after they lost out to Tyrone ( 0-9 to 0-11) on Sunday last in Stradbally, the O'Moore side face another stiff test on Saturday next when they make the journey west to Ballinasloe, where they will take on the much fancied Galway side, the Tribes women sit on top of the Bord Gáis Energy NFL division one league with a total of eight points, it's a game that Laois need to win, with Mayo snapping at their heels and Monaghan with seven points from only three games played going into this weekends game against Dublin. The Laois U/16 team had their first outing on Saturday last, where they had a convincing win over Wicklow (5-16 to 2-2). (to view photo from the game click on www.gaapics.com ) Laois enjoyed almost total dominance for the first
twenty five minutes with Chloe Ryan, Jane Moore and the roving Joyce
Dunne controlling matters in the vital midfield sector. With five
minutes to go the break the forwards had chalked up a 3-8 to 0-0 to put the Wicklow side on the back foot. To their credit however the Wicklow girls staged a mini revival just
before the interval and the Laois defence, which had operated a 'no
pass' policy up to this, were caught flat footed and conceded two
goals and a point, from Laura Allen and Clare Walsh, in the space of
three minutes. Laois continued to press in the second half to run convincing winner at the end. Laois scorers: Laura Dunne(1-4); Laura Marie Maher (1-3); Sara
Quigley(2-1); Mo Nerney (0-5); Chloe Ryan(0-3); Rosie Phelan (1-0).
Wicklow: Clare Walsh(1-1); Laura Allen (1-0); Emma Byrne (0-1).

Division 2. Armagh 0-8 Meath 1-7
Meath plundered the Orchard, and were lucky to come out with all three points in what was a tough and hard fought win. Although leading comfortably at half time ( 1-6 to 0-3), Armagh raised their game in the second half. This led to a tough and pulsating second half as Meath held out to win eventually by two points.
Meath's next task takes them South to New Inn Tipperary next Saturday, when referee Garry Owen McMahon will throw in at 4pm.This is unchartered territory for the Royals, as the two sides have never met in the league. It promises to be an enthralling game, where manager Brendan Dardis will need his charges well rested. Best for Meath today though were Claire Coffey, Mary Sheridan, Geraldine Doherty and Shauna Bennett.
Meath Team & Scorers: M, McGuirk, M. O'Malley, P. Sheridan (capt.), C. Coffey, C. Dempsey, J. Rispin, A. Murray, M. Sheridan, S. Byrne, S. Bennett, O. Sheridan, G. Doherty (0-03), E. Duffy (1-02), K. Allen, B. Lynch (0-02). Subs: V. McCormack for O'Malley, E. Wardick for Byrne, A. Leavy for O. Sheridan, T. Cosgrove for Coffey, R. Nulty for Lynch. Not used: I.Munnelly, D. Flynn, S. Martin, T. Ryan, S. Sheridan, S. Monaghan, A. McHugh.
Armagh: C. McAlinden, C. Morgan, D. Mallon, L. Brown, M. Moriarty, S. McClery, M. McGuinness, C. O'Hanlon, C. Malone, M. McAlinden, K. Mallon, A. Lennon, S. O'Hagan, A. Lennon, M. O'Donnell.Referee: T. McSorley (Tyrone).

The Meath U/16s ( For photos click on www.gaapics.com ) weren't as lucky as they took on Dublin in round one of the Leinster Championship on Saturday. Losing by 6-05 to 1-05 at half time, the trademark comeback of this under 16 team was still alive and they ended the game only 6 points adrift, Dublin 6-09 to Meath's 5-06. Star of the show was Captain Katie Callaghan, who led by example bagging a hat trick of goals. Laura Dempsey and Sinead Coyle also hit the back of the net. Best for Meath were Callaghan, Emma Troy, Cliona Murray and Sarah Powderly. However, the squad are nursing some injuries, so with a gap until the next game, Meath are sure to be back fighting and look forward to the challenge of Wicklow on the 20th March. Both games this weekend were marked by a moment of silence as a mark of respect on the passing of Nuala Callaghan. RIP.
Meath Team: S. Powderly, E. Troy, C. Murray, C. Dalton, D. Moroney, L. McCann, H. Cullen, K. Byrne, A. McCann, K. Callaghan (capt), L. Dempsey, S. Coyle, J. Kavanagh, L. Lynch, A. Bennett. Subs: H. O'Regan for Dalton, A. Weston for Moroney, L. McMurrow for Cullen.
Aisling Clery, Meath Ladies PRO

Kildare 3-13 Clare 2-10
The Lillies got their league campaign back on track with a three point win over Clare in Eadestown on Sunday last, to share third place with Donegal and Meath. On Saturday next Kildare travel West to Connacht to take on Sligo in Geevagh.

Division 3. Roscommon 1-14 Wicklow 2-12
Wicklow pulled off a morale boosting win over Roscommon on Sunday last, to give them their second win of their NFL campaign, Wicklow were still licking their wounds having been beaten by Roscommon in last years Bord Gais Energy NFL div. 4 final, and Mick O'Rourke and Co. were well aware that Roscommon would be all out to ensure that this visit would be no different.
The Garden County who are being sponsored by Odlums this year, have a number of young "flours" in the side this season, , Sarah Hogan, Jackie Kinch, Laura Hogan, Sarah Miley and Lucy Mulhall, to name a few, and while they are young in age, they have vast experience playing ladies gaelic football. Wicklow led at the break by two points (0-9 to 1-4), and a goal apiece from Niamh Carroll and Geraldine Norton kept the visitors in the driving seat, and although Roscommon were never out of their rear view mirror, Wicklow held out for a well deserved one point win. Their next outing will be away to neighbours Wexford, on Saturday next in Wexford Park, with referee Pat Kehoe throwing in at 1pm.
Table toppers Cavan proved too strong for Wexford (1-12 to 1-3) when both sides clashed on Sunday last in Kingspan Breffni Park, the Model county remain in fourth spot ahead of Roscommon and Westmeath, while Longford are in third place having lost out to Waterford (1-15 to 3-6). On Saturday next Longford travel to Brookeborough to take on Fermanagh in round five, while Westmeath who were narrowly beaten by the Erne ladies on Sunday last (0-11 to 2-7), take on Waterford on Saturday next with both games throwing in at 4pm.
In division four Offaly suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Antrim, while Kilkenny were also beaten by a strong Limerick side, on Sunday next Kilkenny play host to Offaly, with referee Mags Doherty of Wexford starting proceeding at high noon.
My thanks to Michael O'Loughlin (Laois pro), Paul Flynn( Wicklow pro), Aisling Cleary (Meath Pro), Eugene Egan (Dublin Sec.), and Peter at www.gaapics.com Tweet

Most Read Stories