Gaelic Games

Armagh withstand late Dublin rally to maintain their fine start in Division 1

Orchard County follow up wins over Kerry and Tyrone by pipping Dubs 0-11 to 2-4 at Parnell Park

Niamh Reel of Armagh battles with Dublin's Leah Caffrey during the Division 1 clash at Parnell Park. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Niamh Reel of Armagh battles with Dublin's Leah Caffrey during the Division 1 clash at Parnell Park. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Sun Feb 09 2025 - 18:24

Holders Armagh made it three wins from three in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League at the weekend.

The Orchard County followed up impressive victories against Kerry and Tyrone by getting the better of Dublin at Parnell Park by 0-11 to 2-4.

Niamh Reel kicked five points as the defending champions held off a late surge from Dublin to maintain their winning start to the campaign.

A goal from Kate Sullivan after 18 minutes kept Dublin in touch but they trailed by 0-6 to 1-2 at the interval.

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Reel’s fourth of the afternoon extended Armagh’s lead after the restart and efforts from Caroline O’Hanlon (free), substitute Caoimhe McNally and Niamh Henderson pushed them further clear.

But they faced a nervous finish when Niamh Hetherton got a Dublin goal three minutes from time to reduce the deficit to the minimum.

Meath also maintained their impressive start with a third straight victory, this time against visitors Waterford.

Kerrie Cole helped herself to a fine personal haul of 2-2 at Páirc Tailteann in Navan as the home side withstood a strong final quarter fightback from Waterford to triumph by 2-11 to 1-13.

Cole rattled the net inside the opening 30 seconds for her fourth goal in just three games this year but 1-2 from Lauren McGregor kept Waterford in touch at 1-9 to 1-4 at the interval.

Cole’s second goal after 33 minutes extended Meath’s lead but they had to dig deep to stave off a spirited Waterford finish.

Grace Kos of Dublin in action against Blaithin Mackin of Armagh during the NFL Division 1 clash at Parnell Park. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Grace Kos of Dublin in action against Blaithin Mackin of Armagh during the NFL Division 1 clash at Parnell Park. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Elsewhere in the top flight, TG4 All-Ireland senior champions Kerry made it back-to-back wins as they saw off Kildare at Fitzgerald Stadium by 2-10 to 0-7.

Siofra O’Shea struck for 1-4 and Danielle O’Leary for 1-3 as Kerry had too much power for a Kildare side that kept trying to the end in an entertaining game.

O’Leary’s goal after ten minutes saw Kerry lead by 1-3 to 0-3 at the break before O’Shea’s goal in the 38th minute put Kerry into a commanding 2-6 to 0-4 lead and they never looked back.

In a crucial tie at the bottom of the table, Tyrone finally registered their first points of the season when they came from behind to oust Mayo by 1-15 to 2-11 in Swinford.

A goal from Clodagh Keane put Mayo into a commanding 1-9 to 0-5 interval lead but Tyrone used the wind in the second half and fought back after Sinead Walsh got Mayo’s second goal, with Chloe McCaffrey, who finished with 0-7, leading the way.

A goal from Sorcha Gormley got Tyrone level and while Erin Murray edged Mayo back in front, Tyrone finished strongly and two points from Niamh O’Neill secured an invaluable win for the Ulster side.

In Division 2, Kate Slevin hit the net for Galway from a penalty at the end of the first half to leave then 1-8 to 0-8 ahead of Roscommon at the break. Roscommon hit a second-half goal through Abby Curran but the result wasn’t in doubt as Galway notched their third win since being relegated.

Cork defeated Tipperary by 3-12 to 0-9. Tipperary battled well early on but were rocked by two goals in a minute on the 20th mark with Orlaith Roche and Laura O’Mahony putting Cork in to a 2-2 to 0-7 half-time advantage. Emma Cleary hit a third goal for Cork in the second half to make sure of the result.

Goals from Ailish Considine and Teresa Collins, along with a haul of 0-6 from Fidelma Marrinan, helped Clare to a 2-17 to 0-7 win over Westmeath.

Donegal snatched a 1-7 to 0-8 win over Monaghan when captained Roisin Rodgers got a last minute goal to secure victory.

Cavan, Laois, Limerick and Louth all secured victories in Division 3.

There were two games in Division 4. Fermanagh got the better of Longford by 4-14 to 4-8, and Leitrim pipped Wicklow by 1-11 to 3-4.

Lidl National Football League Division One Round Three

  • Armagh 0-11 Dublin 2-4
  • Kerry 2-10 Kildare 0-7
  • Tyrone 1-15 Mayo 2-11
  • Meath 2-11 Waterford 1-13

Lidl National Football League Division Two Round Three

  • Donegal 1-7 Monaghan 0-8
  • Galway 1-18 Roscommon 1-11
  • Cork 3-12 Tipperary 0-9
  • Clare 2-17 Westmeath 0-7

Lidl National Football League Division Three Round Three

  • Cavan 6-17 Carlow 1-4
  • Laois 2-11 Down 4-3
  • Limerick 5-12 Offaly 1-4
  • Louth 1-6 Wexford 0-6

Lidl National Football League Division Four Round Five

  • Fermanagh 4-14 Longford 4-8

Lidl National Football League Division Four Round Two (refixed)

  • Leitrim 1-11 Wicklow 3-4