Down picked up their first win of the campaign with a one point win away to Sligo. Natasha Ferris’ pointed free two minutes from time earned the Mourne County all three points. Offaly came from six points down at the break to beat Louth by one point in Darver. Róisín Cockram’s penalty proved to be the difference.
Sligo 1-09 Down 1-10
A pointed free from Natasha Ferris helped Down to their first win of the campaign. Ferris’ kick came just two minutes from the end of the game.
Down made a good start to the game and were four points in front before a goal from Sinead Regan just before the break cut the deficit to one point.
In what was a tight affair Sligo were ahead twice in the second half. A goal from sub Niamh McGrath gave Down the lead in the 46th minute. The sides were level with full-time approaching. Down were awarded a free which Ferris duly pointed to give the Ulster side a narrow win.
Clare 1-07 Roscommon 1-07
Clare came from seven points down at half-time to earn a share of the spoils in this top of the table clash in Ennis.
Aided by a strong breeze Roscommon went three points ahead in the 18th minute with a goal from Aisling Hanly. They added on a further four points to their score as Clare failed to add to points from Fidelma Marrinan and Chloe Moloney.
Clare worked hard in the second half and a goal from Marrinan cut the gap to two points. Marrinan drew her side level in the 50th minute with a free. The Rossies went back in front just before the end but a point from Marrinan earned her side a draw.
Louth 2-11 Offaly 3-09
A penalty from Róisín Cockram proved to be the difference as Offaly came from behind to claim a narrow win over Louth at Darver.
The sides were level three times in the early stages of the first half before a goal from Niamh Rice edged Louth ahead by three. They scored a second goal through Kate Flood to lead at the break 2-07 to 1-04.
A goal from Catherine Walsh in the 35th minute cut the gap to three. Cockram’s penalty put Offaly ahead and they were able to see out the game to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Wexford 1-03 Antrim 0-05
Cáitríona Murray’s 57th minute goal gave Wexford their second win of the campaign with a one point win over 14 player Antrim.
Antrim battled throughout but just like previous games they came away with nothing. They lie bottom of the table now and have yet to register a point.
In a low scoring first half Antrim were ahead 0-02 to 0-01 at half-time. The Ulster county were dealt a blow in the early exchanges of the second half when Theresa Mellon was sent off. They were ahead by four in the 50th minute but that was their last score of the game as Wexford staged a comeback.
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