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Rhona Ni Bhuachalla scored Cork's only goal of the game. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
consistency

The Cork ladies footballers have started 2015 in rather ominous form

The All-Ireland champions have won their first two league games.

GERALDINE O’FLYNN NAILED a late winning point for Cork as the holders made it two wins from two with victory over Kerry in Division 1 of the Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League on Sunday.

O’Flynn’s score finally settled an enthralling game as the lead changed hands on a number of occasions down the home straight in Cloughduv.

All-Ireland champions Cork claimed a narrow 1-13 to 1-12 over their Munster rivals to preserve their 100 per cent start to the 2015 campaign.

But they were made to sweat by the Kingdom, who recovered from five points down at half-time, 0-6 to 1-8, to make a real game of it.

Cork stormed into a 1-7 to 0-3 lead with 22 minutes on the watch, as Rhona Ni Bhuachalla pounced for a goal and Grace Kearney added three points.

But Kerry came storming back after half-time as Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s goal brought them to within a point, as Cork endured a 31-minute barren spell on the scoreboard.

Sub Megan O’Connell tied the game up at 1-9 apiece and the scene was set for a breathless finish before former player of the year O’Flynn, who scored three of Cork’s last four points, had the final say.

Elsewhere, Sarah McCaffrey’s injury-time point snatched a draw for Dublin against Galway at Tuam Stadium.

Referee Gus Chapman decided to proceed with the fixture ten minutes later than the scheduled throw-in time due to fog.

At half-time, Galway trailed by 1-6 to 2-2, despite a brace of Edel Concannon goals.

Niamh McEvoy’s first half haul of 1-2 gave the Sky Blues the edge but they had McCaffrey to thank late on for a share of the spoils, 1-12 to 2-9.

Elsewhere, Mayo star Cora Staunton hit 1-10 as the Westerners ran riot in the second half to record a 1-14 to 0-5 victory against Laois.

At half-time, the hosts were level at 0-5 apiece in Mountmellick but Mayo, inspired by Staunton’s penalty goal, upped the ante as Laois failed to score after the break.

Last Friday evening, Monaghan recorded an emphatic 5-12 to 2-5 victory against Ulster rivals Tyrone.

Laura McEnaney and Ciara McAnespie scored two goals each for the Farney girls, with Cathriona McConnell also raising a green flag.

Gemma Begley and Lorraine Conwell replied with majors for the outclassed Red Hands.

In Division Two on Sunday, Ulster teams Donegal and Armagh scored six goals each in their massive victories over Down and Westmeath respectively.

Clare and Meath drew 2-12 apiece while Cavan demolished Kildare.

In Division Three, there were victories for Leitrim, Roscommon, Waterford and Sligo.

Louth, Offaly and Limerick claimed maximum points in their Division Four outings.

Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League Division 1 results:

 

Cork 1-13 Kerry 1-12

Galway 2-9 Dublin 1-12

Laois 0-5 Mayo 1-14

Monaghan 5-12 Tyrone 2-5 (played on Friday)

 

Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League Division 2 results:

 

Cavan 4-13 Kildare 1-8

Clare 2-12 Meath 2-12

Down 0-7 Donegal 6-16

Armagh 6-12 Westmeath 1-10

 

Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League Division 3 results:

 

Tipperary 3-3 Leitrim 3-13

Roscommon 3-14 Longford 0-6

Waterford 5-12 Fermanagh 0-3

Sligo 4-8 Wexford 0-5

 

Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League Division 4 results:

 

Louth 2-8 Antrim 2-7

Offaly 8-19 Derry 1-4

Wicklow 0-11 Limerick 2-9

1-5 for Paul Geaney as Kerry get first league win against 14-man Derry

Armagh and Tipp win big while Fermanagh and Louth edge close encounters