Leitrim opened their 2024 Lidl Ladies National Football League with a convincing victory over Kilkenny.
Having lost the 2023 Division four Final to Antrim, Leitrim laid down an early season marker with a 2-18 to 0-2 victory over Kilkenny at the MW Hire Training Centre in Dunmore.
Leitrim were on top from the start and led by 1-10 to 0-0 at half-time. Ailbhe Clancy scoring the opening goal of the game before half-time.
Kilkenny continued to battle gamely, but had no answer for the Leitrim outfit. Bronagh O’Rourke scoring a second goal before the full-time whistle.
Meanwhile, Fermanagh showed up well against Longford as they recorded a 2-14 to 1-6 victory.
Fermanagh attackers Eimear Smyth and Bláithín Bogue were in excellent form in the opening half. The hosts established a 2-9 to 0-4 interval lead.
Elaine Maguire struck the opening Fermanagh goal on 21 minutes and Niamh McManus struck a second before half-time. Longford struck back with a Niamh Brady goal early in the second-half but Fermanagh kept the scoreboard ticking for victory.
Carlow claim big win in Derry
Elsewhere, Carlow claimed a 3-7 to 2-5 win over Derry at Celtic Park. Second-half goals from Clíodhna Ní Shé and Fia Murphy proved crucial for the Barrowsiders in an entertaining fixture.
Orla McGeough scored all four of Derry’s first-half points. The sides were deadlocked at 0-4 to 1-1 at half-time, Maeve O’Neill finding the net for Carlow.
Cara Donnelly’s goal after half-time had Derry 1-4 to 1-2 in front but Carlow responded with goals through Ní Shé and Murphy. Helping to establish a 3-4 to 1-5 advantage.
Derry hit back with a goal from Erin Doherty. Carlow held on for a vital win.
Elsewhere, Limerick and Wicklow fought out a draw in their opening game. The sides were level at two points each at half-time.
Iris Kennelly scored the game’s only goal on the restart to hand Limerick a three-point buffer. However Sinead McGettigan was prominent for Wicklow who claimed a 0-6 to 1-3 draw.
Next Sunday, Leitrim entertain Wicklow, Limerick host Derry, Fermanagh will make the trip to Carlow and Kilkenny host Longford.
There’s one game in lidl ladies league Division 1 next Saturday. Dublin host Kerry at Parnell Park. In the top flight next Sunday, Galway travel to Cork, Mayo host Meath and Waterford are set for a trip to Armagh.
There’s also a full round of fixtures scheduled for next Sunday in lidl ladies league Divisions 2 and 3 of the Lidl National League.
Results: Kilkenny 0-2 Leitrim 2-18, Limerick 0-6 Wicklow 1-3, Fermanagh 2-14 Longford 1-6, Derry 2-5 Carlow 3-7
