2010
Bord Gáis Energy
Ladies National Football League
Michael Forde Leinster PRO

Ten Leinster Counties were in action on Sunday last in round one of the Bord Gáis Energy National football league. In Division one Laois and Dublin share the top spot with wins over Mayo and Cork respectively. Laois played host to Mayo in O'Moore Park on Sunday last and collected all three points (2-8 to 0-12) to give their new manager Joe Higgin's the best possible start to the season.

The final score reflects how close this encounter was, the sides were level at the break ( 1-3 to 0-6) and despite getting a player sin binned early in the second half, the home side closed ranks, especially in the final quarter when the visitors turned the screw to get with in two points, but the Laois team kept their composure to register a well deserved victory. On target for the O'Moore side were Noirin Kirwan(1-2), Tracey Lawlor (0-3), Mary Kirwan(1-1), Martina Dunne (0-1), Anna Moore (0-1), with Mayo's scores coming from Cora Staunton (0-9), Emma Mullen (0-2), F. McHale (0-1). The Referee was Des McEnery.

While Laois were battling with Mayo, Gerry McGill's Dublin squad traveled South to Páirc Mac Gearailt in Fermoy to renew acquaintances with the Rebelettes, and while its very early in the season, any win is a bonus but to take points off the All Ireland champions in their own back yard, will give the Dublin side a certain feel good factor. The sides were level at the break (2-3 to 1-6) as Cork's top scorer Valerie Mulcahy bagged two first half goals. But in the second half, Cork managed just a single goal from Deirdre O'Reilly, as Dublin push on to win by two points (1-12 to 3-3 ).

In Division 2's all Leinster clash, Kildare registered their first win (2-17 to 1-7) of the season when they went head to head with Meath in Celbridge on Sunday last. Kildare, lining out with eight changes to last seasons team, were quickest to settle into the game, notching up 5 points with in eight minutes of the throw in. Eight seemed to be Kildare's lucky number on the day, with eight players getting on the score sheet, Aisling Holton notching up 2-1 for the Lillies, while Meath's Samantha Martin, Bridgetta Lynch, Stephanie Byrne and Jenny Rispin all getting on target, Rispin was the Royals top scorer with a tally of 1-5 , four from frees.

Meath found the going tough but Brendan Dardis and Co. won't be too worried at this early stage of the season. A lot of work has been done with some more to do before the girls reach their full potential. Next on the horizon for the Royals is Sligo. This game will take place on Sunday next February 14th at Pairc Tailteann, referee Garry Owen McMahon will throw in at 15:00,This will be the first time a Meath Ladies side has taken on a Sligo side in the NFL.

In Division 3, Longford over came the reigning Bord Gáis Energy division three champions Roscommon, with five points to spare in Emmet Park-Killoe on Sunday last, Longford went out of the Bord Gáis Energy NFL at the quarter-final stage last year to Tipperary.

On Sunday next they are at home to Cavan, and they will be looking to over turn last years result when they were defeated by the Breffni's by four points 1-2 to 1-5 .
Wicklow suffered a heavy defeat to Waterford (0-3 to 4-4) when both side met in Hollywood on Sunday last, in fairness to the Wicklow side the score line does not refect the effort but in by the Wicklow team. The Garden County are now up with the big guns, where errors will be punished, Waterfords Michelle Ryan was always going to be the main threat for the Deise, going forward and from set play, and so it proved, Ryan notched up a personnel tally of two goals and seven points to give Waterford all three points on the day.

Next Sunday Wicklow face Westmeath, you have to go back to 2005 when these sides last met in O'Toole Park in the division four NFL final, Wicklow captained by Aisling OhAnnaidh claimed the division four title beating Westmeath on a score line of 6-12 to 3-8. Wicklow will be hoping for a similar result this weekend.

Westmeath were also on the receiving end (3-11 to 1-4) last weekend, when they took on the model county in the North Wexford village of Killineirin. To say that it is so early in the season, Wexford manager Jim McGovern had this young Wexford side highly motivated and finely tuned for this game, while Westmeath lacked a little pace and staying power, they did produce a number of scoring chances, however it is early in the season and the Westmeath side will be hoping to get their NFL campaign back on track when they play host to Wicklow on Sunday next.

Reigning Leinster junior champions Louth, lost out to Limerick by just a single goal 1-2 to 2-2 in Stabannon on Sunday last, while in the other division four clash Offaly were over powered by a strong Leitrim side ( 7-15 to 3-2).

Carlow were down to play Kilkenny in Tinryland in their division four first round game, but they had to concede, due to the fact that they were unable to field a team on the day. Kilkenny must now prepare to travel away to Stabannon take on Louth in their second round game, were both sides will be looking for a victory to get their Bord Gáis Energy NFL back on track.

President: Sean McMullin, Secretary: Cathal Friel, Treasurer: Barry Flynn, P.R.O. Michael Forde Development Officer: Geraldine Giles. Tweet

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