Ladies National Football League: Armagh maintain winning start in Division One
- Published
Aimee Mackin scored twice to help Armagh beat reigning champions Kerry
Armagh maintained their perfect start to the Division One season as they inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on reigning champions Kerry at the Athletic Grounds.
Goals from Caroline O'Hanlon an a double from Aimee Mackin sealed the 3-14 to 1-13 victory.
Armagh held a commanding 1-7 to 0-5 lead at the break.
Kerry rallied in the second half to edge in front, but two goals from Mackin sealed a deserved win.
Armagh won all eight games when winning promotion from Division Two last season and they have adapted seamlessly to life in the top flight, with their fifth win in a row.
O'Hanlon's goal from close range put Armagh in the driving seat, although two points from Emma Dineen before the break helped keep Kerry in touch.
The reigning league champions started the second half strongly and Niamh Carmody and Anna Galvin landed good points.
They got back on level terms 11 minutes after the restart when Katie Brosnan found the net for Kerry to tie the game at 1-8 apiece.
Hannah O'Donoghue edged Kerry in front with a point, before Corinna Doyle equalised.
Armagh's Niamh Henderson and Brosnan then exchanged scores to level the game again going into the final quarter.
Mackin pushed Armagh back in front with two points and then slotted home a penalty to put five points between the sides going into the closing stages.
Armagh didn't relent and kept pushing forward at every opportunity to claim another superb win.
Kerry were unable to mount another comeback and the win was sealed when Macken got through to shoot her second goal and Armagh's third to maintain their brilliant start to the campaign.
Elsewhere, Tyrone are also pushing hard for promotion and a league final spot in Division Two after a 3-11 to 1-12 win over Donegal.
Monaghan got their first win of the campaign with a 2-8 to 2-4 win over Clare.
In Division Three, Down ousted Offaly to stay in contention for promotion and Antrim got their first win of the season.
The Division Four semi-final pairings were confirmed following Sunday's action. Fermanagh will play Carlow and Leitrim will take on Kildare on Sunday 24 March.