Blue and White was to the fore as Laois and Monaghan claimed wins, as just two games went ahead in Division 2 owing to weather conditions.
Lidl NFL Division 2A:
Clare v Kerry – POSTPONED – Refixed for Sunday February 27th – Venue/Time TBC
The Opening fixture of the weekend between Munster sides Clare and Kerry, was the first to fall to the bad weather this weekend, the fixture at Doonbeg cancelled due to an unplayable pitch.
Laois 2-8 Tipperary 2-6; Heywood Community School 3G
Laois have recorded back to back wins in the division, after a narrow two point win over Tipperary in horrific conditions, two venue changes, strong wind, hailstone and rain could do little to stop the Laois women this afternoon. They had to come from behind again, but held on until the final whistle.
The elements played a huge part in proceedings and Laois played against them in the first half, Tipperary started well when Caitlin Kennedy burst through on goal but her low shot just flew wide. Laois held them out for six minutes and it was only the elements that led to Tipperary’s first score as Sarah English’s long range shot flew into the corner of the net.
Laois opened their account through Erone Fitzpatrick but a second Tipperary goal came in the tenth minute via Kennedy.
Laura Marie Maher set up Emma Lawlor who did brilliantly to score a goal, as they trailed 2-3 to 1-3 at half time. Laois turned with the wind for the second half and drew level by the 37th minute thanks to Mo Nerney and Shifra Havill. They then took the lead for the first time a minute later when Lawlor laid the ball off to Nerney who converted.
Conditions deteriorated after that but Tipperary drew level through an Emma Morrisey free, four minutes from time, the important score arrived when Nerney scored Laois’s second goal, Tipperary kept on their heels and another Morrissey point had the gap back to two as we entered injury time, but they held on late to take the points.
Lidl NFL Division 2B:
Tyrone 0-9 Monaghan 0-10; Mid Ulster Sports Arena
Monaghan had to hold on until the final few minutes to grind out a one point win over neighbours Tyrone this afternoon. They could rarely be separated but a strong display in the second half pushed them clear in the end.
Chloe McBride kicked their first score minutes into the tie to level, as Trone kicked the opener earlier on, by the water break they were a point in front as they looked sharp in front of the posts, but Tryone would not let up and the tie was level 0-6 a piece at half time.
Muireann Atkinson and Jodie McQuillan both scored early in the half, for a two point advantage but again Tyrone came back, levelling the tie 0-8 a piece after 14 minutes of the half elapsing. A Jane Drury effort combined with another McQuillan free put them back ahead by two points, 0-10 to 0-8 by the water break. Tyrone managed a late score in the 59th minute, but it was a consolation as Monaghan held on.
Armagh v Cavan – POSTPONED – Refixed for Sunday February 27th at 2pm – Venue TBC
The all Ulster fixture between Armagh and Cavan, was the only other fixture of the division to fall to the bad weather this weekend, the call made early Sunday morning to postpone the tie, as weather conditions had worsened.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.