Roundup: Lidl NFL Division 3

Down and Roscommon advanced to the Division 3 semi-final from 3A while Kildare and Wexford made the final four from 3B.

Down had four points to spare over Louth in their game while Roscommon were too strong for their neighbours Sligo.

In 3B Wicklow will play in the relegation play-off following their draw with Kildare while Wexford finished second in the group following their narrow win over Longford in Shelmaliers.

Division 3A

Down 2-8 Louth 2-4
A strong finish from Down saw them book their place in the Division 3 semi-final and in doing so left Louth in the relegation play-off. Both sides ended the game with 14 players following a red card for Louth’s Kate McKay and a yellow for Down’s Michell McMahon.

Just three minutes had gone on the clock when Laura Collins scored a goal for Louth. Jessica Foy put away a penalty on 16 minutes to get Down’s first goal. The Mourne County were ahead by two at the interval 1-4 to 1-2.

Ciara Woods passed to Kate Flood in the 47th minute saw Louth grab their second goal and edge them ahead by one point. A pointed free from Flood drew them level as time ran out. Down were ahead by just one in the 59th minute but sealed the win with a late goal.

Roscommon 3-21 Sligo 2-9
Roscommon proved too strong for Sligo as they ran out comfortable winners. The Rossies held an early six point lead and an Ashling Hanley goal in the 25th minute extended that lead to eight points. 

Laura Fleming got Roscommon’s third goal in the first minute of stoppage time to put nine between the sides. Hanley kicked over a point just before the break to leave the scoreline 3-6 yo 0-6.

Sligo were dealt a blow in the 35th minute when Kate Walsh was sin binned. At the second water break Roscommon were ahead by 12 when Sinead Kenny fired over. One minute after the water break they lost Jenny Higgins when she was sin binned. Niamh Feeney followed her team-mate into the sin bin in the 53rd minute and Sligo put away a penalty. Roscommon added on late points to seal their fine win. 

Division 3B

Kildare 2-11 Wicklow 1-14

Wicklow let a seven point half-time lead slip as they were held by Kildare in their final group game. This result sees the Garden County now play Louth in the relegation play-off.

Wicklow started the game well and were ahead by seven at the break – 1-8 to 0-4. Marie Kealy fisting the ball to the net for Wicklow’s goal. Kildare pulled a goal back in the early stages of the second half to cut the gap to three points.

Wicklow were ahead by two in the 47th minute and added on two further points to extend the lead to four. Credit to Kildare they never gave up and got a second goal to level matters near the end. Kildare having already qualified to the semi-final will be happy with their second half showing after turning around the half-time seven point deficit.

Wexford 3-5 Longford 3-4

Wexford qualified for the Division 3 semi-final with a narrow win over Longford. This was a winner takes all game and it was the home side that came away with the two points. 

Michelle Farrell (Longford) and Bernie Breen (Wexford) hit goals in the opening quarter as Wexford held a one point lead at the water break. The lead was three for Wexford at half-time with Amy Wilson scoring their second goal.

Ciara Banville grabbed Wexford’s third goal as they held a five point lead at the second water break. Credit to Longford they battled hard in the final quarter. Michelle Farrell slotted home a penalty but they were unable to get the equaliser that would’ve put them into the final four. Instead it’s Wexford that now look forward to semi-final against Down.