Meath outclass Tyrone in Ladies NFL opener
Tyrone proved no match for former All-Ireland champions Meath at a blustery Newtownstewart
- Published
Former All-Ireland champions Meath earned a dominant 4-4 to 0-2 win over Tyrone in the Ladies National Football League Division One opener at a blustery Newtownstewart.
A Kerrie Cole goal helped the Royals lead 1-2 to 0-0 after only seven minutes of a contest which saw Tyrone make a return to Division One after a seven-year absence.
Tyrone did opener their account before half-time thanks to two Maria Canavan points but Cole's second goal extended Meath's advantage to 2-4 to 0-2 by the interval even though they had played against a stiff breeze.
A clever hand pass over the top from Marion Farrelly set up Cole's second major with Megan Thynne having being the primary provider for the earlier goal.
Half-back Niamh Gollogly was among Meath's impressive performers as she produced several breaks into opposition territory with Aoife Horisk and Sasha Byrne battling bravely for the hosts in an attempt to stem the tide.
As the conditions worsened, Meath were unable to add to their tally in the 10 minutes after the resumption but substitute Megan Collins notched two late goals to round off the visitors' conclusive win.
Donegal draw as Monaghan edge win
In Division Two, a last-minute point by captain Roisin Rodgers earned Donegal a 0-7 to 1-4 draw in Clare while Monaghan secured a 0-7 to 0-6 win in Roscommon despite being held scoreless in the second half.
Two Susanne White points helped Donegal lead 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time in Clarecastle although it looked a precarious advantage given that they had been assisted by a strong breeze.
An Ailish Considine goal helped Clare move ahead but their retreat into their own half in the closing stages backfired as Rodgers levelled in the closing moments of the contest.
Four Éabha Sherry frees helped Monaghan lead 0-7 to 0-2 at half-time in Roscommon and while two Caoimhe Lennon and scores from Shannon McGuinness, Ella Thompson cut the margin to the minimum, the home side missed other opportunities as the Farney women held on.
In Division Three, Cavan beat Louth 2-10 to 2-8 in Drogheda with Eimear Fitzpatrick's seven points helping Down earn a 0-14 to 2-6 away win in Limerick.
Fermanagh secured a thumping 4-16 to 0-4 Division Four win over Derry at Owenbeg with Antrim defeating Sligo 5-7 to 3-8 in the same division at Ballymote.
LIDL LADIES NFL ROUND ONE RESULTS
Division One
Kerry 1-13 Armagh 3-11
Dublin 2-7 Mayo 1-7
Tyrone 0-2 Meath 4-4
Waterford 1-13 Kildare 2-7
Division Two
Cork 3-12 Westmeath 0-5
Clare 1-4 Donegal 0-7
Roscommon 0-6 Monaghan 0-7
Galway 2-9 Tipperary 0-7
Division Three
Wexford 3-14 Offaly 1-4
Louth 2-8 Cavan 2-10
Limerick 2-6 Down 0-14
Laois P Carlow P
Division Four
Derry 0-4 Fermanagh 4-16
Sligo 3-8 Antrim 5-7
Longford 6-24 Kilkenny 0-3
Wicklow P Leitrim P