Compiled by John Fallon
ARMAGH will face Kerry in the 2024 Lidl National League Division 1 Final at Croke Park on Sunday April 7.
Armagh were already safely through before Saturday’s clash with Dublin and will now face off against the reigning champions Kerry in the top flight showpiece.
Kerry booked their place in the final with a 2-11 to 0-12 win over Galway in Killarney. Leading by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break thanks to a goal from Danielle O’Leary, the holders held off an improved Galway side with Hannah O’Donoghue getting their second goal to seal the win.
Galway will now face Waterford in a refixed game which was postponed last week due to weather, with the losers making the drop to Division 2.
Waterford went down by 2-9 to 2-6 to Mayo in Ballina. Fionnuala McLaughlin got both goals for Mayo, while Lauren McGregor got 2-2 for Waterford but it wasn’t enough.
Cork will play in Division 2 next year for the first time since 2003 after suffering their sixth loss of the campaign when they went down by double scores to Meath on a 2-14 to 1-7 scoreline. Emma Duggan scored 0-7 for Meath, five of them from play while Marion Farrelly and Shelly Melia got the goals.
On Saturday, Dublin ousted an understrength Armagh side by 7-10 to 1-4 to keep their hopes of a place in the final alive, but Kerry killed them off with their win over Galway.
In Division 2, Kildare and Tyrone were already assured of a final place at Croke Park on April 7 ahead of the final round of group fixtures. Both sides finished with victory with Kildare defeating Westmeath by 2-9 to 1-7 while Tyrone overcame Cavan by 1-10 to 1-5.
Donegal were single point winners against Tipperary with Katy Herron and Niamh McLaughlin finding the net. Monaghan ensured their Division Two status as they were big winners against Laois by 3-18 to 0-6.
At the bottom of the table, it will be Cavan who join Laois in Division 3 next season, a five-point defeat to Tyrone confirming their relegation.
And in Division 3, with Clare and Roscommon also through to a final at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park in Birr on Saturday April 6, all eyes were focused on the battle for survival.
After both were defeated this afternoon, Antrim and Sligo will be playing Division 4 football next year. Roscommon defeated Antrim by 4-6 to 1-14 and with the final to come, ended their round games at the top of the table. However, defeat for Antrim also sees them relegated, just a season after promotion.
Down ended their league on a high as they defeated finalists Clare. Meanwhile, Offaly were big winners over Wexford while Louth also came up with a big performance, defeating Sligo by 2-12 to 2-7, ensuring the Wee County’s safety in Division Three and relegating Sligo.
The 2024 Lidl National League Division 4 Final, at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr, on Saturday April 6, will be contested by Limerick and Carlow. Limerick got the better of Leitrim by 2-10 to 1-11 in one semi-final, while a late goal from Maeve O’Neill snatched a 2-8 to 1-10 win for Carlow against Fermanagh in the other semi-final to secure a place in the final and promotion.
RESULTS:
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Round 7
Dublin 7-10 Armagh 1-4
Mayo 2-9 Waterford 2-6
Meath 2-14 Cork 1-7
Kerry 2-11 Galway 0-12
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2 Round 7
Donegal 2-8 Tipperary 3-4
Tyrone 1-10 Cavan 1-5
Kildare 2-9 Westmeath 1-7
Monaghan 3-18 Laois 0-6
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3 Round 7
Down 0-11 Clare 1-5
Louth 2-12 Sligo 2-7
Offaly 3-7 Wexford 0-10
Roscommon 4-6 Antrim 1-14
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4 – Semi Finals
Limerick 2-10 Leitrim 1-11
Carlow 2-8 Fermanagh 1-10
