football

Ladies Football: Cork finally off the mark

25 May 2018 - 2:55PM

Cora Courtney

By Jackie Cahill

Supersub Orla Finn bagged 1-9 as champions Cork finally secured their first victory of the 2016 Lidl Ladies National Football League campaign.

The Rebelettes demolished Tyrone by 2-21 to 1-3 in Mallow, handing new manager Ephie Fitzgerald that winning feeling following defeats to Mayo and Kerry.

Cork were 1-10 to 0-1 clear at half-time, with Aisling Hutchings grabbing the goal.

Finn came on at half-time and still managed to amass her big individual tally in the second half alone as Cork kept up the pressure on the Red Hands.

Tyrone managed a consolation goal from Grainne Rafferty but they were outclassed from start to finish and have now suffered big defeats in their opening games.

Elsewhere, Mayo made it three wins from three in a fiery Connacht derby against Galway.

Once again, Cora Staunton was Mayo’s leading scorer in a 2-8 to 1-10 victory over the hosts at Tuam Stadium.

Staunton, who shrugged off a first half injury, collected 0-8, including five frees, while Sarah Rowe and Aileen Gilroy netted for the winners.

Galway finished the game with 14 players when Megan Heneghan was sent off for a heavy tackle on Rachel Kearns, while the Tribeswomen also had Roisin Leonard sin-binned in the second half.

Galway led by 0-5 to 0-4 on a sunny but cold afternoon before a dramatic second half ensued.

Rowe netted to level matters at 1-4 to 0-7 but Mayo fell five points behind when Mairead Seoige goaled for Galway with 11 minutes left.

Gilroy struck for a crucial Mayo goal to keep them in touch, trailing by 2-4 to 1-9, and the comeback was complete late on when Staunton grabbed the winning point to maintain her team’s 100 per cent record to date.

Meanwhile, Gergory McGonigle’s Dublin hammered his former charges Monaghan in Emyvale.

The Sky Blues ran out 5-18 to 0-6 winners and this game was done and dusted by half-time as the visitors led by 5-7 to 0-4.

Carla Rowe bagged a brace of goals, with Nicole Owens, Amy Ring and Niamh McEvoy also raising green flags for the rampant Metropolitans.

Rowe finished as Dublin’s leading scorer, collecting 2-5, as Sinead Aherne helped herself to five points from play out of a 0-7 tally.

There was also a notable victory for Armagh against Kerry at Pearse Ógs.

The hosts won by 4-11 to 0-12 against the visiting Kingdom, with Aimee Mackin (2), Lauren McConville and Blaithin Mackin scoring the goals for the Orchard County.

In Division 2, there were victories for Cavan, Donegal, Laois and Clare while Offaly, Roscommon and Tipperary claimed wins in Division 3.

Wicklow hammered Carlow by 11-29 to 0-1 in Division 4, with Limerick and Longford running up big scores in their victories over Louth and Derry respectively.

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 results:

Cork 2-21 Tyrone 1-3

Galway 1-10 Mayo 2-8

Monaghan 0-6 Dublin 5-18

Armagh 4-11 Kerry 0-12

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2 results:

Cavan 1-15 Westmeath 1-11

Sligo 2-4 Donegal 4-17

Laois 3-8 Meath 0-9

Clare 2-15 Kildare 1-6

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3 results:

Down 2-11 Offaly 5-11