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The Cork ladies footballers triumphed again today. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
ladies football

Cork clinch league semi-final place as Galway, Dublin and Kerry bag vital wins

The picture is becoming clearer in the ladies football league.

EAMONN RYAN’S CORK advanced to the Tesco Ladies National Football League Division 1 semi-finals by regaining top spot on Sunday.

The League and All-Ireland champions demolished Laois on their travels, winning by 5-18 to 1-4 in the penultimate round of group fixtures.

Cork’s victory guarantees them a place in the last four yet again but Laois, who are pointless along with Tyrone after six games, are staring down the barrel of relegation.

Laura Crowley, Orla Finn, Kate Leneghan and Laura Fitzgerald were among the goals for the Rebelettes as they won by 26 points in Mountmellick. Cork were 2-8 to 0-2 clear at half-time as Finn and Crowley bagged the first half goals for the rampant visitors.

Below Cork, the race for the other three semi-final places will go down to the final weekend of group games. Galway’s impressive victory over Monaghan, away from home, has them in a very strong position.

The Tribeswomen won by 2-10 to 1-8 in front of a big crowd at Magheracloone. Annette Clarke and Edel Concannon scored the crucial Galway goals, with Monaghan’s Cathriona McConnell netting a penalty.

Dublin, beaten finalists last year, are still in the hunt for a semi-final spot after demolishing hapless Tyrone at home. The Sky Blues ran out 3-19 to 0-5 winners against the Red Hands at Parnell Park but must now beat holders Cork next weekend to keep their hopes alive.

Captain Lyndsey Davey scored 2-2 for Dublin and Hannah Noonan also netted during the course of a comprehensive 23-point success. Dublin had ten different scorers on a day when Joline Donnelly finished as leading scorer for Tyrone with two points.

Game of the day in Division 1 was Mayo’s defeat at home to Kerry, who are right back in the hunt for a playoff place. Cora Staunton bagged 1-8 for Mayo in Castlebar but it wasn’t enough as the Kingdom won by 3-15 to 2-13.

Maria Quirke netted Kerry’s first goal and Bernie Breen followed up with a second major for the visitors two minutes later. Fiona Doherty replied in kind for Mayo just before half-time but Kerry were 2-6 to 1-5 clear at the break.

Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh struck Kerry’s third goal to make the game safe, with Staunton’s quickly-taken free in stoppage time finding the net for a consolation Mayo goal.

Donegal, Cavan, Armagh and Westmeath will contest the Division 2 semi-finals and in Division 3, Waterford, Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon will occupy the top four places.
In Division 4, there were victories for Louth, Antrim and pace-setters Limerick.

Tesco Ladies National Football League
Division 1 results
Dublin 3-19 Tyrone 0-5
Monaghan 1-8 Galway 2-10
Laois 1-4 Cork 5-18
Mayo 2-13 Kerry 3-15

Division 2 results
Down 3-10 Kildare 10-17
Armagh 6-17 Meath 1-0
Westmeath 0-13 Clare 1-6
Cavan 2-10 Donegal 2-10

Division 3 results
Roscommon 3-15 Fermanagh 1-10
Leitrim 2-13 Wexford 2-11
Waterford 0-0 CONC Longford
Sligo 4-18 Tipperary 1-6 – played on Saturday

Division 4 results
Offaly 2-6 Limerick 1-13
Louth 7-11 Derry 1-0
Antrim 2-10 Wicklow 3-6

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