Compiled by Declan Rooney

Points difference could yet be the deciding factor in the race for Lidl National Football League Division 1 semi-final places with Galway the only team guaranteed of making the last four after they claimed a fifth straight win at the weekend.

Dublin, Donegal, Cork and Mayo can still earn a semi-final spot after the weekend’s results, but if Mayo don’t beat Cork next weekend the current top four will automatically progress to the knock-out stages.

Ephie Fitzgerald’s Cork side found their top form as they romped to a 21-point win against Donegal – goals from Ciara O’Sullivan, Niamh Cotter and Ashling Hutchings gave them the honours.

“It’s a good win, we are delighted,” said Cork manager Fitzgerald. “Obviously we were disappointed with our performance against Tipperary and asked for a response from the girls and we got it today.

“They were missing a few key players which helped us, but to score 3-16 on a day like this was good going.

“We were on top from the word go and performance-wise, it was a step up from the one against Tipperary and puts us in better form going forward.”

TG4 All-Ireland championship and Lidl national league champions Dublin showed they nearing their peak again as Sinead Aherne fired a hat-trick in victory against Monaghan.

Last year’s Footballer of the Year looked very sharp as Mick Bohan’s side picked up their fourth win of the campaign to move within a point of a spot in the semi-finals.

“Next week, it’s a different level now. Galway and Cork are the last two league games,” said Bohan.

“Obviously Galway are top of the table and Cork had a smashing win today against Donegal. We know the quality is going to step up. Ultimately now we’ve two games where again we can have a little bit of a look, but still it becomes more serious.”

Monaghan face Tipperary in a key relegation battle next weekend, while Westmeath will look to pick up points against Donegal and Tipp in their final two games to retain their top flight slot.

“We’re after playing five games and we have no points,” said Monaghan boss Niall Treanor. “We have two games left in the league. We’ve one away next weekend against Tipperary and then we’ve our last game at home against Mayo. We have to win the next one, if not two, to stay up.”

After the weekend Galway are now the only unbeaten team in the top flight as Tim Rabbitte’s side were made to work hard for their five-point win over Tipperary in Bansha.

Leanne Coen and Róisín Leonard’s goals before half-time were a key scores for Galway who had trailed after Aishling Moloney’s found the net for Tipp,

Peter Leahy’s Mayo are still in with a slim chance of making the last four after they edged a three-point win against Westmeath. First-half goals from Sinead Cafferkey, Tamara O’Connor and Fiona Doherty gave the westerners a comfortable lead, but they were pushed all the way by the home side at St Loman’s. Mayo need to win their remaining games against Cork and Dublin to reach the semis.

Meanwhile in Division 2, Armagh had four points to spare against Clare as the Orchard girls maintained their 100 per cent start to the season, while Waterford claimed a hugely significant win over Tyrone, with Maria Delahunty’s second-half goal proving decisive as the Deise boosted their promotion hopes.

The meeting of Kerry and Cavan was postponed due to a bereavement, while Wexford remain in the hunt for a semi-final place after their one-point win over Laois.

In Division 3 Meath picked up their fifth win in a row, this time a one-point victory away to Kildare, while Longford and Sligo both earned wins against Down and Roscommon respectively.

Wicklow turned on the style and hit five goals past Offaly as they put their hand up for Division 2 football next season.

In Division 4 the tight battle for promotion continues with wins for Limerick and Carlow. Derry and Antrim drew, while the Louth versus Fermanagh game was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.

Tweet

Most Read Stories