Ladies football round-up: Meath back on top as Antrim edge thriller

Published 13:26 18 Feb 2019 GMT

Updated 11:29 19 Feb 2019 GMT

SportsJOE

Ladies football round-up: Meath back on top as Antrim edge thriller

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Compiled by Jackie Cahill

Meath 1-13 Sligo 1-3

Meath moved to the summit of Division 3 in the Lidl Ladies National Football League on Saturday following a comfortable victory over Sligo. The Royals, who were beaten Division 3 finalists in 2018, have their sights firmly set on promotion and they enjoyed a 1-13 to 1-3 victory at Cloonacool GAA in a re-arranged Round 1 fixture. Meath got off to a cracking start and were 0-4 to 0-1 clear before a Katie Walsh goal for Sligo brought the hosts back into contention. But Meath were back in control approaching half-time and a Kelsey Nesbitt goal helped the visitors to lead by 1-8 to 1-2 at half-time. With Stacey Grimes prominent, Meath kept their opponents comfortably at arm’s length during the second half, as Sligo managed just a single point after the break.

Sligo’s second successive defeat sees them prop up the rest in Division 3, while Meath have their sights firmly set on promotion to the second tier.

Antrim 5-10 Leitrim 4-6

At The Dub on Saturday, Antrim recovered from their defeat against Fermanagh to record a 5-10 to 4-6 victory over Leitrim. Antrim were 3-6 to 0-5 clear at the break, with Meave McCurdy, captain Saoirse Tennyson and Sarah Louise McLaughlin netting goals.

But Leitrim, chasing a second successive League win, responded early in the second half with goals from Dearbahile Beirne and Vivienne Egan. Leitrim skipper Michelle Heslin added another goal for the visitors, who were back to within four points, before Orla Corr’s goal settled Antrim nerves. Anna McCann did brilliant to keep out a penalty from Leitrim’s Beirne late on but Egan struck her second goal shortly after to keep Leitrim in the hunt. Cathy Carey’s goal in the dying seconds sealed the victory for Antrim, who will look to build on this win when they face Kilkenny next weekend.

Fermanagh 2-13 Derry 1-5

Also in Division 4 on Sunday, Fermanagh made it two wins from two outings with a 2-13 to 1-5 success against Ulster rivals Derry. Fermanagh led by 2-7 to 0-2 at half-time, with Eimear Smyth and Blaithin Bogue scoring the goals. Ciara McGuirk netted for Derry early in the second half but Fermanagh were always comfortable in this game and they outscored the visiting Oak Leaf County by 0-6 to 0-3 in the second half.

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