LAST YEAR’S BEATEN finalists Dublin hammered Cork to make it through to the semi-finals of the Tesco Ladies National Football League today.
Gregory McGonigle’s charges defeated the holders by 5-14 to 2-7 at CIT to book their spot in the last four, in what was a repeat of last year’s League and All-Ireland deciders.
With Monaghan losing to Kerry in the final round of group fixtures, Dublin leapfrogged the Ulster outfit to keep their League hopes alive.
Dublin will now play Galway in the semi-finals, with Munster rivals Cork and Kerry renewing acquaintances in the other game.
Nicole Owens netted twice for Dublin against Cork, with Noelle Healy, Hannah Noonan and Kim Flood the other goalscorers.
Valerie Mulcahy and Doireann O’Sullivan scored consolation goals in the second half for Cork, who were 0-2 to 3-9 behind at half-time.
Elsewhere, Kerry’s 0-16 to 1-11 victory over Monaghan in Castleisland ensured the Kingdom’s place in the semi-finals.
Cathriona McConnell scored 1-5 but it wasn’t enough as Peter Clarke’s Monaghan found themselves squeezed out of the top four.
Kerry led by 0-8 to 0-5 at half-time, with Louise Galvin, Patrice Dennehy, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Sarah Houlihan all prominent.
Kerry pushed on to lead by 0-12 to 0-6 with 20 minutes left before Monaghan were handed a lifeline when Aisling Leonard pulled down Ciara McAnespie to concede a penalty.
The Kerry defender was yellow-carded and McConnell netted the rebound, after Edel Murphy saved her penalty. That left just a point between the sides, 1-10 to 0-14, but late scores from Ní Mhuircheartaigh were crucial as Kerry held on.
Meanwhile, Tyrone ensured that they’ll be playing top-flight football next season with an emphatic 5-15 to 1-10 victory against a Laois side that began with 14 players. Tyrone collected their first points of campaign to send Laois down in this relegation shootout at Clanabogan Park.
The rampant Red Hands had ten different scorers on the day and collected all but one point of their winning tally from play. Visitors Laois arrived half an hour late for the game but Noirin Kirwan scored three early points as they began brightly.
But that was as good as it got in the first half for the O’Moore girls as Tyrone took over to lead by 3-9 to 0-3 at half-time, with the goals scored by Grainne Rafferty, Cathy Donnelly and Niamh O’Neill.
Tyrone added further goals from Joline Donnelly and Gemma Begley in the second half, with Charlotte Delaney raising a consolation green flag for Laois, who will play in Division 2 next year.
In the big Connacht derby in Ballina, Galway beat Mayo by 1-16 to 2-6. Cora Staunton scored all but one point of Mayo’s total as Tracey Leonard collected 1-5 for Galway.
In Division 2, a playoff will be required to decide who tops the table after Donegal and Cavan finished level at the top.
Armagh secured third place as they whipped already relegated Down by 10-24 to 0-0 and Westmeath also finished in the top four despite losing to Donegal.
In Division 3, Waterford will face Roscommon and Leitrim are due to take on Sligo in the semi-finals.
Tesco Ladies National Football League
Division 1 results
Cork 2-7 Dublin 5-14
Mayo 2-6 Galway 1-16
Kerry 0-16 Monaghan 1-11
Tyrone 5-15 Laois 1-10
Division 2 results
Armagh 10-24 Down 0-0
Clare 1-12 Kildare 2-19
Donegal 6-13 Westmeath 0-8
Cavan 1-13 Meath 0-4
Clare 5-16 Down 3-8 – played on Friday
Division 3 results
Longford 3-14 Tipperary 5-10
Leitrim 3-9 Waterford 5-11
Roscommon 2-5 Wexford 2-16
Fermanagh 0-5 Sligo 4-7
