Lidl National Football League reaction… Armagh are three years ahead, admits defeated Kildare boss

Compiled by John Fallon

ARMAGH joint manager Joe Feeney was pleased after they maintained their 100 per cent record as they got the better of Kildare at Silverbridge Harps by 2-15 to 1-7.

“It’s another good win and we’re pleased with it. Kildare are very good and had great results coming into the game, they’d beaten Meath and Dublin and had impressive performances.

“We felt that we were good in the first half against the wind and played well. We maybe left a bit behind us, but it was quite hard going into the breeze but we’re happy overall with how everything panned out,” said Feeney.

Goals in either half from Niamh Henderson and Emily Druse were key to victory for the home side, who led by 1-6 to 0-2 at the break.

“We disappointed overall,” said Kildare manager Pat Sullivan. “Our performance in the first half was actually good but, on the scoreboard, we didn’t take our chances, and we got punished and that’s what happens when you’re playing a seasoned team like Armagh.

“The bigger picture is that they’re probably three years down the road ahead of us in where we are in our project.”

Dublin joint manager Paul Casey said that a strong start was the key to them securing their second win of the Lidl NFL Division 1 campaign as they saw off neighbours Meath by 2-19 to 0-9.

Goals in the first quarter from Caoimhe O’Connor and Carla Rowe set the tone as Dublin, who led by 2-8 to 0-2 at the interval, pushed on to stay in the hunt for honours.

“We’re delighted with the performance. We hit the ground running, something that we haven’t been doing in previous matches,” said Casey

“I think everybody performed well and it’s great to have the three points. We obviously have players coming back late in the campaign and we’ve also been able to blood a few young players into the panel too.”

Points from Marion Farrelly and Emma Duggan hinted at a Meath revival after the restart but the gap was much too big and they were unable to prevent a second successive loss in the campaign.

“I am gutted,” said Meath manager Shane McCormack. “Gutted for the management team and the girls as well because it’s on the back of a bad loss against Kildare last weekend.

“We have no excuses. Bad handling, a few errors and Dublin looked more hungry than we were.

“I think the damage was done in the first-half and if the chance we had in the first-half had gone in, maybe that would have given us some momentum.”

Meanwhile, manager Mark Bourke said after TG4 All-Ireland senior champions Kerry made it four wins on the spin to keep alive their hopes of a Lidl NFL Division 1 final place with a 2-8 to 0-4 win in Swinford over Mayo.

“We’re delighted. Maybe a bit worried in the first half, playing with the wind and only two points up,” said Bourke. “A lot of teams play well against the wind, carrying the ball. I thought we showed a good start in the first ten minutes of the second half.

“We were a small but lethargic with our passing and our workrate wasn’t where it should have been. I thought in the second half they really focused. The structure of the team in the second half was much better. They knew their jobs then, what they had to do in the second half.”

Mayo trailed by 0-4 to 0-2 at the break having played with the wind and goals from Danielle O’Leary and Siofra O’Shea propelled Kerry to victory.

“The goals, Armagh got a flukey goal last week, when they went for a point, and Kerry get two this week,” said Mayo manager Liam McHale. “Teams of that calibre don’t need that sort of luck and we can’t seem to get a play like that. I liked the first half, made some mistakes and gave away frees they scored from but other than that, we were happy Our gameplan worked well.

“The second half, they brought two or three All Star calibre players, upped the ante. We had some good offensive opportunities but took the wrong option and rushed it. They counter and cause problems. If we didn’t concede the goals, going 8-4 down into the last five minutes, you have a chance, but the goals were killers. Our heads went down a little bit.”

In Aghyaran, a hat-trick from Lauren McGregor helped Waterford oust Tyrone by 6-15 to 0-6.

Waterford led by 3-8 to 0-2 at the break with Kellyann Hogan finishing with 1-8 and Katie Murray and Chloe Fennell also finding the net in an emphatic win.

“Happy with the overall performance and the girls are delighted to get the victory,” said Waterford manager Tomás Mac a t’Saoir. “Great to come up here and get a display like that from the team and to build on the draw last week.”

In Division 2, goals from Shauna Hynes and Olivia Divilly helped Galway secure a 2-16 to 0-6 win over Donegal which keeps them firmly on course for a swift return to the top flight.

Cork are also on course for a quick return to Division 1 after defeating Roscommon by 4-17 to 2-9. Two goals apiece from Libby Coppinger and Emma Cleary helped them lead by 4-6 to 2-5 at the break, with Aisling Hanly and Laura Mannion, who finished with 1-5, finding the net for Roscommon.

Tipperary scored a 3-16 to 2-6 win over Westmeath, with Kirsty Crotty Ryan, Maria Curley and Aishling Moloney getting the goals in the opening half. Anna Jones twice found the net for Westmeath.

Monaghan defeated Clare by 4-11 to 0-9 after Jennifer Duffy hit the net twice in the opening ten minutes with Éabha Sherry getting the other two, while Clare’s goal came from an Ailish Considine free.

In Division 3 there were wins for Cavan and Louth, while Laois and Limerick, along with Wexford and Down, finished level.

In Division 4, Antrim, Fermanagh and Sligo are through to the semi-finals with neighbours Leitrim and Longford set to battle it out for the remaining spot.

RESULTS

Lidl National Football League Division One Round Five

Dublin 2-19 Meath 0-9

Armagh 2-15 Kildare 1-7

Waterford 6-15 Tyrone 0-6

Kerry 2-8 Mayo 0-4

Lidl National Football League Division Two Round Five

Cork 4-17 Roscommon 2-9

Galway 2-16 Donegal 0-6

Monaghan 4-11 Clare 1-9

Tipperary 3-14 Westmeath 2-6

Lidl National Football League Division Three Round Five