Kerry have been beaten by Cork in the Lidl Ladies National Football League.
The away side won by 16 points to 8 at Austin Stack Park, Tralee.
Kerry failed to score in the first half, trailing 14 nil at the break.
It was put to Kerry manager Mark Bourke that it was not the display and result against Cork that might have been expectedMarkBourkePostCork
Full match report:
Katie Quirke struck 0-10 as a rampant Cork outfit made short work of Kerry, winning by double scores in this fourth round Lidl Division 1 encounter at a windswept and bitterly cold Austin Stack Park in Tralee.
Kerry made five changes to the side that defeated Meath in the previous round with long term injury victim Cáit Lynch a significant loss to the side. Cork made two changes to the side that defeated Armagh in the last round and set about their business with intent.
Cork played with the aid of the strong breeze in the first half and certainly made the advantage count as they dominated proceedings and took a 0-14 to 0-0 lead in at half time.
Quirke slotted nine of Cork’s opening half points, with a magnificent three from play as she tormented an overworked Kerry defence whilst Aimee Corcoran, Grace Ní Mhurchú, Leah Hallahan and Sadbh McGoldrick all found the target as Cork totally dismantled the home side’s kickouts.
Kerry’s cause wasn’t helped by the sin-binning of Kellie McGrath in the tenth minute or the concession of three frees due to breaches, with Cork punishing two of them on the scoreboard.
Although Kerry failed to score, they will also point to three missed goal chances with Cork custodian Sarah Murphy making two fine saves from Rachel Dwyer and Kelly Enright, and Mary O’Connell very unlucky to rattle the post in the 25th minute, but it was Cork who took a 14 point lead in at the break.
Kerry, with the wind at their backs in the second period outscored their opponents by 0-8 to 0-2 with Danielle O’Leary and Siofra O’Shea landing notable two-pointers, but in truth Cork were never threatened with Emma Cleary and the brilliant Quirke getting their scores.
O’Shea had a brace of scores at the start of the second half and further scores from the hard working Niamh Ní Chonchúir and Anna Galvin kept the home side ticking over but it was Cork who remain unbeaten in this season’s campaign whilst Kerry must go back to the drawing board.
Cork face Waterford next weekend and Kerry face Galway.
Scorers - Cork: K Quirke 0-10 (6f), G Ní Mhurchú 0-1, L Hallahan 0-1, R O’Regan 0-1, A Corcoran 0-1, S McGoldrick 0-1, E Cleary 0-1.
Kerry: S O’Shea 0-4, D O’Leary 0-2, N Ní Chonchúir 0-1, A Galvin 0-1.
CORK: S Murphy; M Duggan, D Kiniry, S Kelly; A Corcoran, S McGoldrick, R Corkery; A Healy, A O’Mahony; R Leahy, G Ní Mhurchú, E Cleary; L Hallahan, K Quirke, R O’Regan. Subs: C Hughes for G Ní Mhurchu (48), E Hurley for R Leahy (51), A Ring for L Hallahan, A O’Sullivan for R O’Regan , K Redmond for A O’Mahony (all 54), K O’Driscoll for A Corcoran, S Callanan for R Corkery (both 58).
KERRY: C Butler; E Ní Laighin, A Doherty, A Dillane; K Brosnan, E Lynch, K McGrath; M O’Connell, C Evans; M O’Connor, N Ní Chonchúir, K Enright; S O’Shea, R Dwyer, N Quinn. Subs: K Furey for A Doherty (14), D O’Leary for M O’Connor (24), A Galvin for E Lynch, J Lynch for K McGrath, J Lucey for N Quinn (all half-time), L McMahon for R Dwyer (39), M Mulvihill for C Evans (47), J Curtin for M O’Connell (57).
Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).
In the Ladies Munster Minor Football Championship Kerry won away to Limerick by 3-14 to 2-4.
Also in Division 1 of the Ladies National Football League, Waterford picked up their first defeat of the year.
The D�ise couldn't find a way past Meath who came out on top by 1-9 to 10 points.
Meanwhile Dublin came from behind to beat Kildare 3-5 to 1-8.
A lively and hard-fought Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 encounter in Dungarvan GAA Grounds saw Meath edge out Waterford after a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout.
Waterford, who had won all three games to date, opened the scoring inside four minutes when Kellyann Hogan converted a free, but Meath struck back almost immediately with the game’s decisive score. A dangerous delivery from Ciara Smyth caused panic in the home defence and Orla Finnegan finished clinically to the bottom corner of the net in the sixth minute.
Meath’s direct running through the middle caused Waterford problems in the early stages, though Emma Murray steadied the hosts with a point after eight minutes.
A crucial goal-saving block by Laura Mulcahy denied Megan Thynne as Meath threatened to extend their lead, but the Royals still built momentum through scores from Rachel Casserly and Marion Farrelly. Casserly, operating at full-forward, proved a constant thorn in Waterford’s side and added another point soon after.
Despite this, Waterford began to settle. Hogan (free), Áine O’Neill and Maeve Daly all raised white flags as the Déise enjoyed a strong spell of possession. Daly was unlucky not to find the net, her effort well blocked by Mary Kate Lynch.
However, two missed frees proved costly and Meath finished the half strongly with quickfire points from Farrelly and captain Niamh Gallogly to lead 1-6 to 0-5 at the break.
Meath nearly extended their advantage immediately after the restart, rattling the crossbar, but Waterford responded well. Murray, linking effectively with Claire Walsh, clipped over two fine points to narrow the gap. Substitute Meadhbh Byrne made an instant impact for Meath with a well-taken score after excellent work again from the influential Smyth, who dictated much of the play from centre forward.
Hogan kept Waterford in touch from placed balls and Walsh added a fine point from play following strong work by Cora Murray.
But Meath always had a response. Byrne struck again late on, while Smyth came close to sealing the result with a goal chance that drifted wide.
Chloe Fennell’s late free kept Waterford in contention, but Byrne’s insurance point ensured Meath held on for a deserved victory after a composed and clinical performance.
Scorers: Meath: O Finnegan 1-0, R Casserly 0-3, M Byrne 0-3, M Farrelly 0-2, N Gallogly 0-1.
Waterford: K Hogan 0-3f, E Murray 0-3, A O'Neill 0-1, M Daly 0-1, C Walsh 0-1, C Fennell 0-1f.
MEATH: R Murray; A Sheridan, MK Lynch, K Kealy; S Murphy, A Gaffney, K Bermingham; O Sheehy, N Gallogly; M Farrelly, C Smyth, M Thynne; E Duggan, R Casserly, O Finnegan. Subs: S Wall for Gaffney (20), M Byrne for Finnegan (HT), L Wood for Murphy (40), A Reilly for Farrelly (47), O Smith for Casserly (48), O Mallon for Duggan (57).
WATERFORD: K Gardiner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Casey; A O'Neill, K McGrath, E Power; E Murray, K Hogan; K Murray, C Walsh, M Daly; L McGregor, B McMaugh, R Browne. Subs: C Fennell for Daly (51), A McGrath for McGregor (52), H McGrath for Murray (57), L Ní hArta for Power (57).
Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).
Kate Sullivan and Ellen Gribben struck second half goals at O’Dwyers GAA in Balbriggan on Sunday as Dublin edged out Kildare to earn their first win of this year’s Lidl National Football League Division One.
Playing with the aid of a strong wind in the opening period Kildare, who were also searching for a maiden victory in this season’s league, were eager to take the game to their Leinster rivals. After Aoife Rattigan got the Lilywhites up and running with a fifth-minute point, St Laurence’s attacker Ciara Wheeler also found the range in similar style.
While midfielder Gillian Wheeler fired a shot inches past the target, Rattigan and Molly Aspell contributed additional scores to move Pat Sullivan’s charges four points in front on the first-quarter mark. Dublin had struggled to fully impose themselves against the elements, but the hosts finally opened their account when inside forward Michelle Davoren rattled the net in the 16th minute.
Although Kildare suffered a set-back on top of the concession of this major when wing-back Hazel McLoughlin was yellow carded, they responded impressively in her temporary absence — Rattigan following up an initial effort by substitute Aoife Murnane for a rebounded goal on 21 minutes.
This helped Kildare to establish a 1-4 to 1-0 interval lead, but Dublin were firmly in the reckoning when Niamh Hetherton kicked over a superb two-pointer within 60 seconds of the restart.
Despite now facing into a stiff breeze, Kildare held firm and moved three in front when corner-forward Alannah Prizeman knocked over a close-range free in the 38th minute.
However, following neat link-up play between herself and Hetherton off a long delivery from Orlagh Nolan, first half substitute Sullivan got Dublin back on level terms with a powerful shot to the net on 42 minutes.
The vastly-experienced Carla Rowe also kicked a brace of fine points off the bench on her seasonal return to the Jackies set-up and with a third substitute in the form of Ellen Gribben bagging another goal in clinical fashion, Dublin were on course to prevail moving into the final 10 minutes of the action.
While Kildare kept themselves in contention with late points from Prizeman, Rattigan and Aspell, O’Dwyers star Elsa Kearney kicked a fine score on her home patch to ensure Dublin had the measure of the Lilies.
Scorers – Dublin: M Davoren, K Sullivan, E Gribben 1-0 each, C Rowe 0-2 (1f), N Hetherton 0-2, E Kearney 0-1.
Kildare: A Rattigan 1-3 (0-1f), A Prizeman 0-2 (2f), M Aspell 0-2, C Wheeler 0-1.
DUBLIN: A Shiels; N Crowley, H Leahy, C Almeida; S McIntyre, H McGinnis, N Donlon; R Hartnett, A Timothy; L Grendon, O Nolan, K Donaghy; M Davoren, N Hetherton, O Keighran. Subs: K Sullivan for Donaghy (26), E Kearney for Keighran (h-t), C Rowe for Grendon (40), E Gribben for Timothy (46), J Egan for Davoren (51), S Birnie for Almeida (55), G Connolly for Sullivan (64).
KILDARE: C Nallen; E Wheeler, L Shaw, M Doherty; H McLoughlin, R Sargent, L Lenehan; N Murphy, G Wheeler; M Aspell, C Wheeler, L Reilly; M Doyle, A Rattigan, A Prizeman. Subs: A Murnane for Reilly (16), A Mernagh for E Wheeler (19), R Dillon for Rattigan (30), A Irhue for Shaw (53), Rattigan for Prizeman (55).
Referee: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath).
Weekend review:
Cork manager Joe Carroll said he knew many people expected them to be relegation candidates this season so he’s delighted that his promoted side are top of the Lidl National Football League after four rounds of game.
His charges continued their great start to their return to the top flight as they moved top of Division 1 with a double scores 0-16 to 0-8 victory over reigning champions Kerry in Tralee.
“I suppose a lot of people, even in our own county, thought we would be relegated back down to Division 2 and hopefully we might be safe in that regard,” he said.
“We’re on top of the table but top or bottom it doesn’t really matter. Staying in Division One was our target for this year.
“In the first half I thought we played well but I suppose Kerry are a bit understrength at the moment with injuries. The win will do us no harm and give us more confidence than what we have.”
Kerry fell to their second defeat of the campaign having been held scoreless for the opening half when they were playing against the strong wind and never looked like hauling back the 0-14 to 0-0 interval scoreline, with Katie Quirke getting a haul of 0-10 for Cork.
“Everybody knows Katie Quirke around the country,” added Carroll. “She’s an exceptionally good forward but I think we have a bunch of young players that will develop into exceptional players also.”
Waterford, who had won their opening three games, were knocked off top spot when they went down to Meath by 1-9 to 0-10 in Dungarvan when an opening half goal from Orla Finnegan proved decisive. It’s a second win of the campaign for Meath.
“This was a huge win for us,” said Meath manager Wayne Freeman. “Waterford have been very impressive this year. We felt we were going in the right direction and just needed to get points on the board to show that.
“We were up for the challenge, we were playing well and this week we trained very well. We had a good pep in our step coming down here and the girls were full of energy.”
Galway notched their third win when they saw off Armagh by 3-11 to 0-15 in Ballinasloe on Saturday with Leanne Coen getting two of the goals and Andrea Trill also finding the net to inflict a third loss of the campaign on Armagh.
“We are delighted to have three wins, it’s great for the girls that they are putting in the performances and that they are really backing it up,” said Galway manager Daniel Moynihan.
“It’s nice to put up a decent score and get the points on the board. Once we have that panel mentality we will go places this year.”
Reigning TG4 All-Ireland champions Dublin got their campaign up and running after three losses as they saw off neighbours Kildare by 3-5 to 1-8 in Balbriggan in a basement clash where both were looking for their first wins. Goals from Michelle Davoran, Kate Sullivan and Ellen Gribben proved decisive.
“Goals are so important at this level,” said Dublin joint manager Paul Casey. “We had only gotten one goal to date, that was in Stamullen against Meath. To get three today was a good return.
“We’re delighted to get the first win under our belt. Probably not the performance that we wanted to get, but training has definitely upped in the last couple of weeks with the return of a couple of our more experienced players to the training pitch. We saw some of them there today and they definitely helped us get over the line in the end.”
In Division Two, Cavan edged out Donegal by 1-6 to 0-7 in a top of the table clash with Niamh Keenaghan getting the only goal of the game in the opening half, while two late Aishling Sheridan points proved decisive in the end.
Mayo and Tyrone shared the spoils in their promotion drive. Goals from Cara McNamee and Sorcha Gormley put Tyrone 2-1 to 0-1 up at the break but Mayo rallied and a goal from Lisa Cafferky hauled them back into contention with Sinead Walsh getting the equaliser.
Monaghan, who trailed by 1-11 to 0-1 at the break, came storming back to force a draw with Tipperary at 1-12 apiece, while Westmeath struck for four goals as they got their first win when they ousted Wexford in a relegation contest.
Antrim and Louth continued their promotion drive in Division 3 with good wins, while there were also wins for Clare and Down.
In Division 4, Leitrim and Carlow continued their superb promotion drives, while Sligo also remained in contention with a big win over Kilkenny.
Results:
Lidl NFL Division 1
Dublin 3-5 Kildare 1-8
Galway 3-11 Armagh 0-15
Cork 0-16 Kerry 0-8
Meath 1-9 Waterford 0-10
Lidl NFL Division 2
Cavan 1-6 Donegal 0-7
Tipperary 1-12 Monaghan 1-12
Tyrone 2-7 Mayo 1-10
Westmeath 4-10 Wexford 1-13
Lidl NFL Division 3
Antrim 4-10 Fermanagh 2-10
Clare 4-7 Laois 2-11
Down 1-12 Roscommon 2-6
Louth 2-7 Limerick 0-6
Lidl NFL Division 4
Carlow 4-12 Derry 1-7
Leitrim 7-16 Wicklow 2-0
Offaly P Longford P
Sligo 8-22 Kilkenny 1-0
