Four teams remain unbeaten in the Leinster Championship after two Rounds. Dublin and Meath in the Senior Grade, while in the Intermediate Wexford made it two wins from two as did Longford in the Junior Championship.
Leinster Senior Championship
Dublin were ruthless in their comprehensive win over Laois in Portlaoise. The Dubs kept their opponents scoreless in the first half. Annabelle Timothy scored a hat-trick of goals for Mick Bohan’s side as they advanced to the Leinster Final.
Meath will take on Dublin in the Leinster Final after a five point win over Kildare in Navan. First half goals from Emma Duggan and Niamh Gallogly proved the difference for the Royals.
Laois 0-01 Dublin 5-19
Dublin recorded a comprehensive win over Laois in Portlaoise. Annabelle Timothy scored 3-03 for the Dubs. Such was their dominance in the opening half they kept Laois scoreless.
The Dubs opened the scoring in the third minute when Chloe Darby put away a penalty. Sinead Goldrick who made her return for the Dubs scored a point in the first half as they Dubs led 1-11 to 0-00 at half-time.
Mo Nerney scored Laois’ only score of the game in the 32nd minute. Dublin got a second goal through Niamh Hetherton in the 51st minute. Timothy scored her second and third goals in stoppage time for Mick Bohan’s side.
Meath 2-11 Kildare 0-12
First half goals from Emma Duggan and Niamh Gallogly proved to be the difference as Meath overcame the stiff challenge of Kildare in Navan.
Duggan found the back of the net in the 21st minute to help the Royals to a seven point lead. Gallogly scored her goal in stoppage time to give her side a nine point lead going in at the break.
Credit to Kildare they fought hard in the second half. A point from Neasa Dooley in the 53rd minute cut the gap to three points. Meath replied with three points in a row to put six points between them before Kildare scored a late point through Sarah Munnelly.
Leinster Intermediate Championship
Wexford recorded a fine win at home to Offaly in the Intermediate Championship. It’s now two wins from two for Lizzy Kent’s side.
Westmeath got their first win of the championship when they overcame Wicklow by 17 points. Sarah Dillon scored 1-06 for the Lake County.
Wexford 1-13 Offaly 0-04
Wexford made it two wins from two with an excellent win over Offaly in Enniscorthy. The home side led from start to finish in this game.
Wexford kicked over seven points in the opening half. Offaly’s first point didn’t arrive until the 29th minute. The scoreline at half-time was 0-07 to 0-01 in favour of Wexford.
It took Wexford three minutes of the second half to get their eighth point of the game; through Chloe Fox. Offaly fired over two points but the seven point lead was restored in the 44th minute. Roisin Murphy scored the only goal of the game in the 50th minute. Wexford tagged on more points to give themselves a 12 point win.
Wicklow 1-06 Westmeath 5-11
Sarah Dillon scored 1-06 as Westmeath picked up their first win of the Leinster Championship. Wicklow are still without a point in the group stages.
Dillon scored four points in the first half as Westmeath held a 2-06 to 0-03 lead at the interval. Karen Hegarty and Vicky Carr with the goals for the Lake County.
Frank Browne’s charges were excellent after the break with Dillon finding the back of the net. Anna Jones scored two goals in the second half for Westmeath.
Leinster Junior Championship
Longford had an excellent win over Carlow in their group game in Longford. The Midlanders had trailed by two at the break. Grace Shannon ended the game with 2-07 for Longford.
It was too easy for Louth in their game away to Louth. Kate Flood, Mia Duffy and Ciara Woods with the goals for the Wee County.
Kilkenny 1-03 Louth 3-19
Louth recorded their first win of the Leinster Junior Championship with a comfortable win away to Kilkenny.
The Wee County kicked over eight points in a row before Kate Flood scored their first goal. Just before half-time Kilkenny were reduced to 14 players through a sin bin and Louth kicked over a free from Niamh Rice to lead 1-12 to 0-00.
Kilkenny got their first score of the game after the break before Mia Duffy scored a goal for Louth. Kate Flood was then sin binned for Louth. Ciara Woods got their third goal.
Longford 3-09 Carlow 4-03
Grace Shannon scored 2-07 as Longford recorded a fine win over Carlow at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park. It’s now two wins from two for the Midlanders.
This game was always going to be a tight affair. When the two sides met earlier in the league the game ended in a draw. Carlow made a fine start to the game and scored three goals in the opening half to give themselves a two point lead at the break 3-02 to 1-06. Sian Gallagher scored Longford’s goal.
Longford drew level before Carlow grabbed their fourth goal of the game. Shannon’s first and Longford’s second goal drew the sides level again. Pat Tiernan’s side got their third goal through Shannon and held on for the win.
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland