Holders Armagh see off Dublin

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Lidl National Football League round-up

Compiled by John Fallon

HOLDERS Armagh made it three wins from three in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League at the weekend.

The Orchard County followed up impressive victories against Kerry and Tyrone by getting the better of Dublin at Parnell Park by 0-11 to 2-4.

Niamh Reel kicked five points as the defending champions held off a late surge from Dublin to maintain their winning start to the campaign.

A goal from Kate Sullivan after 18 minutes kept Dublin in touch but they trailed by 0-6 to 1-2 at the interval.

Reel’s fourth of the afternoon extended Armagh’s lead after the restart and efforts from Caroline O’Hanlon (free), substitute Caoimhe McNally and Niamh Henderson pushed them further clear but they faced a nervous finish when Niamh Hetherton got a Dublin goal three minutes from time to reduce the deficit to the minimum.

Meath also maintained their impressive start with a third straight victory, this time against visitors Waterford as Kerrie Cole helped herself to an outstanding haul of 2-2 at Pairc Tailteann in Navan as they withstood a strong final quarter fightback from Waterford to triumph by 2-11 to 1-13.

Cole rattled the net inside the opening 30 seconds for her fourth goal in just three games this year but 1-2 from Lauren McGregor kept Waterford in touch at 1-9 to 1-4 at the interval.

Cole’s second goal after 33 minutes extended Meath’s lead but they had to dig deep to stave off a spirited Waterford finish.

Elsewhere in the top flight, TG4 All-Ireland senior champions Kerry made it back-to-back wins as they saw off Kildare at Fitzgerald Stadium by 2-10 to 0-7.

Siofra O’Shea struck for 1-4 and Danielle O’Leary for 1-3 as Kerry had too much power for a Kildare side that kept trying to the end in an entertaining game.

O’Leary’s goal after ten minutes saw Kerry lead by 1-3 to 0-3 at the break before O’Shea’s goal in the 38th minute put Kerry into a commanding 2-6 to 0-4 lead and they never looked back.

And in a crucial tie at the bottom of the table, Tyrone finally registered their first points of the season when they came from behind to oust Mayo by 1-15 to 2-11 in Swinford.

A goal from Clodagh Keane put Mayo into a commanding 1-9 to 0-5 interval lead but Tyrone used the wind in the second half and fought back after Sinead Walsh got Mayo’s second goal, with Chloe McCaffrey, who finished with 0-7, leading the way.

A goal from Sorcha Gormley got Tyrone level and while Erin Murray edged Mayo back in front, Tyrone finished strongly and two points from Niamh O’Neill secured an invaluable win for the Ulster side.

In Division 2, Kate Slevin hit the net for Galway from a penalty at the end of the first half to leave then 1-8 to 0-8 ahead at the break. Roscommon hit a second half goal through Abby Curran but result wasn’t in doubt as Galway notched their third win since being relegated.

Cork defeated Tipperary by 3-12 to 0-9. Tipperary battled well early on but were rocked by two goals in a minute on the 20th mark with Orlaith Roche and Laura O’Mahony putting Cork in to a 2-2 to 0-7 half-time advantage. Emma Cleary hit a third goal for Cork in the second half to make sure of the result.

Goals from Ailish Considine and Teresa Collins, along with a haul of 0-6 from Fidelma Marrinan, helped Clare to a 2-17 to 0-7 win over Westmeath.

Donegal snatched a 1-7 to 0-8 win over Monaghan when captained Roisin Rodgers got a last minute goal to secure victory.

Cavan, Laois, Limerick and Louth secured victories in Division 3.

There were two games in Division 4, where Fermanagh got the better of Longford by 4-14 to 4-8, and Leitrim pipped Wicklow by 1-11 to 3-4.

RESULTS

Lidl National Football League Division One Round Three

Armagh 0-11 Dublin 2-4

Kerry 2-10 Kildare 0-7

Tyrone 1-15 Mayo 2-11

Meath 2-11 Waterford 1-13

 

Lidl National Football League Division Two Round Three

Donegal 1-7 Monaghan 0-8

Galway 1-18 Roscommon 1-11

Cork 3-12 Tipperary 0-9

Clare 2-17 Westmeath 0-7

 

Lidl National Football League Division Three Round Three

Cavan 6-17 Carlow 1-4

Laois 2-11 Down 4-3

Limerick 5-12 Offaly 1-4

Louth 1-6 Wexford 0-6

 

Lidl National Football League Division Four Round Five

Fermanagh 4-14 Longford 4-8

 

Lidl National Football League Division Four Round Two (refixed)

Leitrim 1-11 Wicklow 3-4

Fermanagh’s Bogue is January Player of the Month

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Fermanagh’s Bláithín Bogue is The Croke Park Hotel/LGFA Player of the Month for January 2025
FERMANAGH star Bláithín Bogue has been honoured with The Croke Park Hotel/LGFA Player of the Month award for January 2025.
The Tempo Maguires player (24) has been in outstanding form for the Erne County in Division 4 of the Lidl National League to date.
A 2024 TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship winner, Bláithín has carried that form into the early stages of the new campaign.
In the month of January, Fermanagh recorded successive victories against Leitrim, last year’s TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate winners, and Derry to get off to an impressive start in the Lidl NFL.
Bláithín notched 1-3 against Leitrim and followed up with an identical tally in the win against Derry.
Fermanagh lost for the first time in the 2025 Lidl NFL last Sunday against Antrim, a game in which Bláithín registered a point, but CJ McGourty’s charges are still expected to challenge strongly for promotion from the fourth tier.
Fermanagh’s campaign continues next Sunday when they face Longford in a crucial tie at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park (2pm).
Ahead of throw-in, both counties are two of three teams (along with Sligo) locked together on six points, three behind pace-setters Antrim.
Bláithín was presented with her award today by Ina Lazar, Assistant Director of Sales, The Croke Park Hotel.

Underage Competitions Start Saturday

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The Ulster underage competitions kick off on Saturday next with 2 minor games scheduled in group two. Armagh and Monaghan will meet at Silverbridge while Down will host Antrim at Liatroim Fontenoys. Both games have a 2pm start.

 

CONVENTION ROUND UP

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Our Annual Convention was held today in Canavan’s. After Gerry Doherty welcomed everyone, detailed reports were delivered by Colm Murray (Secretary Report), Paul Swift (PRO Report), Caroline Brady (Cultural and Language Report), Ciaran Murtagh (Development Report), Paul Kelly (Finance Report), Ronan McCarthy (CODA Report), Karen Mc Goldrick (Fixtures Report) and Antionette McCusker (Registrar).

All reports were positive about the state of the game in Ulster. Our membership has grown to over 43,000, we have 5 full time employees and over 300 clubs. There was one change in Executive personnel. Maria Hinds is the new Registrar. National subcommittee representatives were selected and bye laws approved.

Gerry Doherty in his President’s address paid tribute to all the 12 All-Ireland winning teams, Antionette Mc Cusker who stood down as Ulster Registrar, all our sponsors, his fellow executive members and everyone who assisted throughout the year.

Dungannon native Eileen Jones – Hardy is the new President elect and will take up her post in January 2026. One of Eileen’s main jobs will be to oversee the new Strategic Plan which was also launched on Sunday.

The draws were made for all Ulster competitions. In the senior final Armagh will play Donegal on Sunday 18th May. Fermanagh will meet Tyrone in the preliminary round of the Intermediate championship on 27th April with the winners playing Down a week later in the first semi-final. Monaghan and Cavan will meet in the other decider. The junior Championship will see Antrim, Derry and London play in a round robin competition with the final fixed for the weekend of 17th/18th May.

ULSTER CHAMPIONSHIP 2025

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Earlier today the draws were made for all Ulster competitions. In the senior final Armagh will play Donegal on the weekend of 17th/ 18th May.

Fermanagh will meet Tyrone in the preliminary round of the Intermediate championship on 27th April with the winners playing Down a week later in the first semi-final. Monaghan and Cavan will meet in the other decider.

The junior Championship will see Antrim, Derry and London play in a round robin competition with the final fixed for the weekend of 17th/18th May.

Under 16 Championship 2024

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Silver Semi-Finals
Sunday 28th April
Antrim v Monaghan @2.00pm
Venue: Naomh Eanna GAC
Derry v Donegal @5.00pm
Venue: Faughanvale GAC
The Silver & Bronze Finals will be on Sunday 5th May.
The two beaten Semi-Finalists will contest the Bronze Final.

Ulster Ladies Minor Championship 2024

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Silver Semi-Finals
Saturday 27th April
Armagh v Derry @12 noon
Venue: McKeever Park
Down v Antrim @2.00pm
Venue: Mayobridge GAC
The Silver & Bronze Finals will be on Saturday 4th May.
The two beaten Semi-Finalists will contest the Bronze Final.

Update about Minor Championship Finals

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A chara,
Ulster Ladies Council are aware of recent social media posts regarding the venues of this weekends Minor Championship Finals.

Ulster Ladies Council strives to get appropriate venues for all our games in the best interests of all involved in our sport and we will continue to try do this. We wish all our counties out this weekend every success.

Is mise le meas,
Ulster Ladies Council

Wins For Antrim And Tyrone

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Well done to Antrim and Tyrone who recorded wins today over Westmeath and Wicklow in the TG4 Intermediate championship.

Well done Derry

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From ladiesgaelic.ie

Derry crowned All-Ireland U14 Gold champions

Derry 4-9

Tipperary 2-6

By Aisling Clery

Derry, after victory in the Bronze final in 2022, were crowned U14 All-Ireland Gold champions at the expense of a talented Tipperary side at Clan na Gael, Dundalk.

Derry led by eight at the break, but two goals within sixty seconds from Tipperary closed the gap in the second-half and Derry had to dig deep to ensure victory.

Derry got off to a brilliant start with two Ava Hurl frees sandwiching a terrific point from Rionach McNally. Tipperary responded well and Lily Flannery reduced the deficit to two with a fine long distance free.

Hurl added a third free before a surging run straight through the Tipperary defence found McNally hitting the net for Derry’s first goal on sixteen minutes. Tipperary responded well, moving the ball at pace but they couldn’t find their scoring range.

Kerri Lee Mullan added a point for Derry and a resurgent Tipp side got back into contention with two frees inside a minute from the boot of Abbie Horgan. Derry however were to have the last say of the half as Brianna Donaghy found herself one-on-one with the keeper and she finished to the net with aplomb.

Elena Cody opened the scoring for Tipperary in the second-half but Derry upped the gears and Brianna Donaghy hit 2-2 unanswered, almost putting the game out of reach of Tipperary.

The second goal was very much a team effort with the ball won deep in the Derry defence by Emma McVey and swiftly transferred downfield to Donaghy’s waiting arms and she tapped home.

Tipperary though carried on and while their first attempt at goal was ruled out for a square ball, their diligence was rewarded as they found the net not once but twice!

Substitutes Chloe O’Neill and Aoibhinn Casey each netted to breathe life into the Tipp attack.

However, Derry were not to be denied and they ran down the clock, maintaining possession, with centre back Aoibh Shivers adding Derry’s final point to ensure victory.

Scorers: Derry: B Donaghy 3-3, R McNally 1-1, A Hurl 0-3f, KL Mullan 0-1, A Shivers 0-1.

Tipperary: C O’Neill 1-0, A Casey 1-0, A Horgan 0-2f, L Flannery 0-2 (1f), E Cody 0-2.

DERRY: A Rogers; E McVey, E McGarvey, K Birt; L Armstrong, A Shivers, AR Sargent; A Young (c), E Forbes; KL Mullan, S Quinn, R McNally; R Conlan, B Donaghy, A Hurl. Subs used: K Loughrey, M Bhavsar, A McNally, N McKenna, C Conway, C King, E Mallet, E Rafferty, E Grant, E Mullan, I Regan, R Scullin, S McErlean, C Quinn, D Murphy.

TIPPERARY: S Carr; S Hannafin, E Gleeson, C Butler; N Buckley, S Ferris, B Delaney; H Kiely, A O’Connor; A Gleeson, L Flannery, A Horgan; A Butler, N Dwan (c), C Fitzgerald. Subs used: L Moloney, C O’Neill, A Casey, E Cullinan, K Carey, M Callum, B Woodlock, R O’Brien, E Cody, R Hewitt, A Purcell, A Quirke, SR Meehan, S Moynihan, J Carey.

Ref: Philip Conway (Armagh)

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