Jackies defeated in close encounter with Galway

Sun, 25th March 2018

Mick Bohan’s TG4 All-Ireland senior champions Dublin suffered their first defeat of the 2018 Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 campaign as Galway came out on top at Abbotstown.

Elsewhere in the top flight, champions Cork edged Mayo to take the top spot on points difference, while Donegal and Monaghan also recorded wins.

A scoring blitz from the Tribeswomen midway during the second half was enough to see them past the Sky Blues.

Led by captain Tracey Leonard and Caitriona Cormican, Galway hit 1-5 over eight minutes while Dublin registered just a single point in that period.

A late Nicole Owens goal couldn’t sway the result as Leonard nailed two free-kicks to inspire Galway to their third win of the 2018 campaign.

Six in-a-row chasing Cork made it four wins from five as they withstood a late Mayo scare at Mallow.

Leading by four points, Ephie Fitzgerald’s charges conceded a late goal from Shauna Howley but they hung on to take the points on offer.

The game finished 1-12 to 2-8, with Orla Finn hitting 0-8 while dual star Libby Coppinger bagged the only goal for the Rebelettes.

In Clones, the returning Ellen McCarron inspired Monaghan to a two-point win over Westmeath – who are yet to secure a single point in 2018.

The Farney effectively secured their Division 1 survival as McCarron finished with 0-7 and Ciara McAnespie, fresh home from the TG4 All-Stars Tour to Bangkok, slotted home the all-important goal.

And Maxi Curran’s Donegal were ruthless in their dispatch of the struggling Kerry, firing six goals in a one-sided rout.

Red-hot Yvonne Bonner and Ciara Grant scored a brace each while Karen Guthrie and Sarah Jane McDonald also found the back of the net.

Lidl National Football League Division 1

Cork 1-12 Mayo 2-8

Dublin 1-15 Galway 1-17

Monaghan 1-10 Westmeath 0-11

Donegal 6-11 Kerry 0-9

Lidl National Football League Division 2

Tyrone 6-9 Clare 2-9

Waterford 4-9 Cavan 1-6

Tipperary 4-19 Sligo 0-7

Armagh 3-12 Laois 2-6