*WRAP*

TG4 Leinster LGFA Championships Underway

By Aisling Clery

DUBLIN got the defence of their TG4 Leinster SFC crown underway this afternoon when they defeated Kildare at Parnell Park. Dublin were out of the traps early as they opened up a 2-10 to 0-3 interval advantage. Carla Rowe and Orlagh Nolan hit 2-7 between them while Caoimhe O’Connor and Kate Sullivan also raised green flags. Kildare were struck by a late Róisín Byrne injury which undoubtedly set them back, but Niamh Farrelly was a constant threat and hit 2-2 for Diane O’Hora’s charges. However, it wasn’t enough as Dublin closed out the game and secured victory.

In Páirc Tailteann, Meath opened their TG4 Leinster campaign with a win against Laois. Marion Farrelly hit 2-2 while the influential Emma Duggan converted 1-4, including a penalty. Meath took a commanding 3-4 to 0-3 lead into the half time break. Mo Nerney hit 0-6 for Stephen Duff’s charges and they were given solace through a Lauren Kearney goal midway through the second half. Meath regrouped though and points from Duggan, Ciara Smyth and Megan Thynne saw Meath over the line.

In the Intermediate Championship, Westmeath and Offaly played out a thrilling draw at St. Loman’s. Emma Hand and Ellee McEvoy each hit 1-03 for the visitors as the Faithful led by 2-6 to 1-5 at the break. Leanne Slevin top scored for the home side with 0-7 while Karen Hegarty found the net. As the game headed to its conclusion it was a late Chloe Kelly point off her left coupled with a Slevin free that rescued a draw for the home side.

In Starlights Rapparees GAA, Wexford opened their Championship with a win over neighbours Wicklow. Kellie Kearney hit 1-2 for the home side as they opened up a 1-6 to 1-3 half time lead. Niamh Caffrey hit 1-4 for the Garden County but with Aoife Cullen in fine scoring form scoring 0-3 over the hour, Wexford did enough to secure an opening round victory.

Meanwhile in the Junior Championship, reigning champions Carlow opened the defence of their crown with victory over Louth. Fresh from their Lidl National Football League Final win over Limerick, Carlow battled throughout with Team of the League’s Rachel Sawyer hitting 2-1 for Ed Burke’s team, while Cliodhna Ní Shé also hit 0-4 frees. Ciara Woods found the net for Louth while Kate Flood and Mia Duffy hit 0-4 between them, Carlow did enough to win 2-8 to 1-8.

In MW Hire Dunmore, Longford overcame Kilkenny. Clodagh Lohan found the net twice while Grace Shannon and Kamille Burke also raised green flags as Pat Tiernan’s squad got their first win of their Championship campaign.

RESULTS

TG4 Leinster LGFA Championship Round One

Senior

Dublin 4-15, Kildare 2-4

Meath 3-11, Laois 1-7

Intermediate

Wexford 1-11, Wicklow 1-5

Westmeath 1-11, Offaly 2-8

Junior

Carlow 2-8, Louth 1-8

Longford 4-10, Kilkenny 0-4

Photo Credit: Tamsin O'Neill