Fermanagh were clinical and ruthless in their comprehensive win over bottom side Kilkenny. Eimear Smyth scored a first half hat-trick for the Erne County. Carlow continued their first start to the campaign with a win over neighbours Wicklow in Aughrim. They along with Fermanagh are the only unbeaten sides in the division.
Derry 3-05 Longford 2-17
Longford moved up to fourth in the table with a nine point win away to Derry. It had been comfortable for the Midlanders but three second half goals from Derry made for an interesting finish.
In a first half that was dominated by Longford they were eight points ahead going in at the interval – 0-02 to 1-07. Niamh Brady with the goal. The Killoe girl finished with a tally of 1-08.
Derry were a different proposition after the break. They cut the gap to four as they tried to get back into the game. A second goal for Longford through Grace Shannon was a blow for the home side. They got a third goal late on but it wasn’t to be as they still await their first win of the season.
Kilkenny 0-05 Fermanagh 10-12
It was all too easy for leaders Fermanagh as they had a comprehensive win away to Kilkenny. It was always going to be difficult for bottom side Kilkenny against a potent attack like Fermanagh’s.
Blaithin Bogue got Fermanagh’s first goal. That was followed by a hat-trick from Eimear Smyth (one from a penalty) and a goal for Aoife McCabe as they held a 5-06 to 0-01 point lead at the break.
Fermanagh didn’t let up with the scoring after the break and scored the exact same as they had in the first half. Bronagh Smyth, Caoimhe Gallagher (two), Niamh McManus and Joanne Doonan all raised the green flag for the Erne County.
Leitrim 2-11 Limerick 1-07
Leitrim got back to winning ways with a seven point win over Limerick at Ballinamore. It’s a first defeat of the campaign for Limerick.
The home side had been ahead by one point when Laura O’Dowd got their first goal to put them ahead by four. Both sides fired over points as Leitrim were ahead by five points going in at the interval.
The gap was just two points as Limerick made a good start to the second half. Leitrim hit back and went four up. Both teams got late goals as Leitrim held on for a fine win.
Wicklow 0-11 Carlow 3-09
Carlow continued their fine start to the league with a six point win away to neighbours Wicklow. After picking up their first win last weekend against Derry, the home side will be disappointed they couldn’t follow that up.
Carlow made a great start to the game and two goals and two points gave them a six point lead. A third goal scored before half-time by Sara Doyle saw them lead by eight points at the break – 0-05 to 3-04.
Wicklow needed goals to get back into the game and were unable to find the back of the net. They did kick over six points in the second half but Carlow had that lead and they were able to see out the game.
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