Leitrim, Fermanagh and Carlow all enjoyed wins on the opening day of Division 4 of the Lidl National Football League, elsewhere Limerick and Wicklow could not be separated in a closely fought affair in Feohanagh/Castlemahon.
Kilkenny 0-2 2-18 Leitrim, MW Hire Training Centre, Dunmore
Leitrim started the 2024 League campaign with a statement result in Kilkenny, coming out 22 point winners in a one sided affair in Dunmore.
Straight from the off Leitrim looked lively and built out a 1-10 to no score lead by the break. Ailbhe Clancy with the strike, adding to her three points tallied in the opening half. Michelle Guckian was also instrumental in the half, adding four points, Niamh Tighe and Siomha Quinn also found the mark in that fruitful opening spell.
Kelley Comerford got Kilkenny on the board early in the second half, Hollie Brennan followed that with a free minutes later. Leitrim kept up their scoring form in that second stanza, Bronagh O’Rourke, Guckian, Vivienne Egan and Leah Fox all adding points for a 1-14 to 0-2 lead.
Fox and Guckian kept the board ticking in the Connacht sides favour before Bronagh O’Rourke rattled the back of the Kilkenny net to gap off a dominant display.
Limerick 1-3 0-6 Wicklow, Feohanagh/Castlemahon GAA
Limerick and Wicklow played out a stalemate on the opening day of the Division 4 campaign, Iris Kennelly was the star for Limerick while Sinead McGettigan ensured the points would be shared in the finish.
Kennelly struck early for the lead for the Treaty women before doubling the advantage soon after. Niamh Caffrey replied with Wicklow’s first score of the game before Sinead McGettigan levelled matters and at the break the score remained 0-2 a piece.
Breaking from the restart, Kennelly would score the only goal of the contest, chipping the on rushing Wicklow keeper Ellen Griffin for a three point lead. McGettigan dragged Wicklow right back with a pair of frees and a score from play to level matters yet again.
Kennelly late on gave Limerick the advantage once again, at the other end right at the death McGettigan struck a pivotal score to share the spoils on a hard fought opening day for the two.
Fermanagh 2-14 1-6 Longford, Donagh
Fermanagh, inspired by Eimear Smyth delivered an emphatic opening day performance in their 2024 league campaign.
Smyth struck two early points along with Blaithin Bogue to build out an early lead, Niamh Brady managed to get Longford on the board. Smyth and Bogue continued to add scores, before Elaine Maguire blasted to the net with 21 minutes gone for a 1-6 to 0-3 scoreline.
Brady added a fourth point of the afternoon for Longford as she was pricing a main target for the Midlanders. Smyth added a point either side of Bogue getting on the board while Niamh McManus finished the half on another high point as she added the second goal of the game for a 2-9 to 0-4 lead.
Brady capitalised early in the second half to strike a Longford goal, Smyth was proving a right handful as her free taking was pulling Fermanagh further and further away from Longford. In the end the gap was 11 points as Smyth and Bogue showed serious early signs of intent in this team.
Derry 2-05 3-07 Carlow, Celtic Park
Carlow made a long trip to Ulster but left with all the points as second half goals from Clíodhna Ní Shé and Fia Murphy were pivotal in securing the result.
Carlow had the ideal start when Ní Shé had a free drop short, Derry keeper Ellie Conway could only palm it down and Maeve O’Neill reacted quickest to palm the ball into the back of the net. Ní Shé added a point to extend the gap to four, however Derry started to come back into the game as Orla McGeough converted four frees to level the game 1-1 to 0-4 at the break.
Derry certainly brought the threat in the second half, Cara Donnelly and Erin Doherty both finding the net in a half where Carlow would find themselves behind after Donnelly found the net. Ní She was a crucial link for Carlow and her goal alongside Fia Murphy’s strike were big moments in that second period, enough to quench any hopes of a Derry fightback.
Sara Doyle added a point in the second half while Rachel Sawyer kicked two, Ní She finished the day on 1-3 and the 2021 Golden Boot winner showed just why she earned that award with a dazzling display in the forward line.
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.