St. Joseph’s v St. Francis

St. Joseph’s v Kiltubrid

St. Joseph’s v Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins

St. Joseph’s v Glencar Manorhamilton

St. Joseph’s v St. Francis

St. Joseph’s v St. Mary’s Kiltoghert

Mohill 1-8 – 2-9 St Mary’s Kiltoghert

St. Mary’s secure Intermediate title over Mohill

Twelve months after losing last year's final, St. Mary's Kiltoghert secured the Intermediate Championship title with a 2-9 to 1-7 victory over Mohill in Carrigallen this afternoon.

With both sides at full strength a competitive contest was expected but St. Mary's hadn't read that script and despite Mohill opening the scoring after seven minutes through Kate McGuinness the Carrick on Shannon side would score 1-7 to no reply over the next twenty minutes, the goal coming from Aisling Leahy.

A late three point rally from Mohill's McGuinness (2) and Dearbhaile Beirne would see them cut the gap to just six points at the break.

Mohill made a game of it through the second half but an opportunistic goal from Roisin McGarry seemed to put St. Mary's back in control of the game.

A disputed penalty was tucked home by Dearbhaile Beirne to reduce the deficit and create a grandstand finish to the clash but St. Mary's kept the scoreline ticking over and never really looked in danger of losing the game despite late pressure from Mohill.

St. Mary's will now compete in the Senior grade for 2023 while Mohill will have to lick their wounds and come back again next season.

It's the start of a busy day for Dearbhaile Beirne who is expected to feature for Peamount United in their top of the table clash with Wexford Youths live on TG4 this evening at 5:20pm.

St. Joseph’s 2-14 – 2-6 St. Francis

St Joseph’s never in doubt in win over St Francis

A fantastic opening quarter in the second half by St Joseph's was enough to seal the win over a plucky St Francis. Goals by Michelle Heslin and Jessie McManus helped keep them in the lead to record a third win in the championship.

It was a close affair in the opening half but a late surge in the half, Heslin's goal the catalyst gave them the confidence to keep the scoreboard ticking into the second half.

Joseph's lead by two points after seven minutes, before Carmel McGovern was hauled down in the area, she took the penalty, but Niamh McDonagh saved well to leave it at a two point game.

St Francis levelled matters by the 13th minute, but Joseph's ended the quarter with a further two points for a 0-4 to 0-2 lead.

Aine Flood's goal after 21 minutes signalled a comeback was on for Francis as they lead for the first time, however twin magic by Aine and Michelle Heslin warranted the first of Joseph's goals, combining well to make it 1-4 to 1-2.

Four points without reply saw their lead triple by the interval, six clear 1-8 to 1-2, Heslin and Bronagh O'Rourke both performing well in the half.

Heslin added another superb score 13 seconds into the second half, momentum staying with Josephs as Jessie McManus goaled seven minutes into the half.

Flood kicked Francis first score of the half after 40 minutes, but the Joesph's attack looked strong and by the end of the quarter they were ahead 2-10 to 1-3, Heslin having a field day at full forward.

With five minutes left it was again Flood who notched another free over the bar, reducing the gap 2-13 to 1-4, the tie looked to be over by this stage.

Hannah O'Dowd rattled the net just before injury time, with two quick fire points the last act of the tie for Francis, serving as a consolation in the end.

St. Joseph’s v Sean O’Heslins

Leitrim Ladies Championships Preview

Theres almost a full round of games at all levels of the Ladies game this weekend with the two refixed first round games at senior level finally being played this weekend. A full set of Intermediate and Junior games will be decided too.

SENIOR

St. Joseph's v Ballinamore

This is a big one for both sides. With Ballinamore's win over Kiltubrid and St. Joseph's defeat to them, the advantage is with Ballinamore.

A victory for the Ceannabo side would put them as favourites to progress to both finals, whilst a win for St. Joseph's would really open a whole load of possibilities heading into the last two games. Ballinamore have been very impressive in the championship so far and will go into this one as slight favourites.

St. Joseph's won't be any pushover however and there's a good chance they'll push Ballinamore far. Either way, this should be a close game.

St. Francis v Kiltubrid

This local derby brings together two sides that are looking to pick themselves up after defeats last weekend. St. Francis will be looking to build on a good performance against Glencar-Manor last week whilst Kiltubrid will be looking to re-start their championship campaign.

St. Francis' victory over Dromahair likely ensures their survival at senior grade for the year but they'll want to build on that. Kiltubrid will pose a huge question mark for the Drumshanbo-Ballinaglera combination however.

Kiltubrid have Michelle and Emma Guckian in fine form up front while the Tighe sisters and Lauren Tivnan have helped provide a solid foundation for the Drumcong side.

Miranda Foley and Niamh McDonagh have been impressive in both goals so far this season. A great save from either netminder could determine this fixture, which has the added feature of essentially being a Senior B semi-final, as the winner would all but guarantee themselves a place in the final.

INTERMEDIATE

St. Mary's v Drumkeeran

Mary's free scoring forwards have been very impressive thus far, helping the county town side rack up some large margins of victory. The threat of Sarah Reynolds, Aisling Leahy and Elise Bruen have sent the Carrick side to the top of the table.

Whilst the hosts will be favourites, Drumkeeran have had some impressive scorelines themselves. They ran St. Brigid's close before being awarded the win over Fenagh last week. They also looked good in the challenge match played in place of the Fenagh encounter.

Ella McNamara and Charlene Maguire were impressive, whilst Sarah Feeney and Shannon O'Grady also contributed around the middle of the field. Mary's will have to be more accurate than their last outing against Fenagh against improved opposition this weekend.

St. Brigid's v Mohill

Mohill are looking to get their season up and running following their defeat to Carrick on the opening day. Much will depend on the availability of Dearbhaile Beirne, who provides so much for her side going forward.

Regardless, they should have enough to challenge an impressive St. Brigid's side. The experience of Deirdre Ward and Denise Stenson alongside the emerging Sarah Boyle give them a cutting edge going forward. Nicole Higgins at the back and Clodagh Tighe in goals are well able to hold down the fort.

In this one, Emma Quinn will be an outlet for the attacks against a county player filled Brigid's side. Among the county players are Síomha, Eimhin and Aisling Quinn, alongside the illustrious Maeve Quinn in goals. Some of the emerging talent from Aughnasheelin has also looked very good as they attempt to re-establish themselves as an LGFA force in the county.

JUNIOR

Annaduff v St. Brigid's

Friday Night's curtain raiser for this weekend's action brings together Annaduff and Brigid's.

Brigid's have lost their opening two games against first teams, but have shown the strength in depth at the club. The return of Louise Gallagher to the forward line for Brigid's has been a revelation given how impressive she has been in the opening two games so far.

This promising yet raw side will be well matched with Annaduff, who have struggled to get going so far. A defeat to Leitrim Gaels last week will have damaged their confidence, so they'll be looking to the likes of Vivienne Egan and others for what is a young side.

The hosts absolutely need a win here if they're to catch Keeldra Gaels or Leitrim Gaels to keep their championship hopes alive.

Glencar/Manorhamilton v Keeldra Gaels

This is an opportunity for both sides to leap to the top of the table. Glencar-Manor looked good with an opening round victory v Annaduff, which puts them in the surprising level of being a second team that can challenge at this level.

Keeldra Gaels on the other hand are favourites for the championship following their regrading from inter last season. They'll be expected to win here and should do with the experience of Alannah Ward, who put in a brilliant performance last week, racking up a large personal tally which saw her side to victory.

Both teams will be eager to show what they're capable of, given what they can achieve with a win.

To follow all of the games across finalwhistle.ie, click on the links above for live audio and/or text commentary.

St. Joseph’s 8-19 – 1-7 Dromahair

Joseph’s secure first win in emphatic fashion

St Joseph's bagged eight goals to secure an empathic result to kick start their Championship season this morning, a strong showing as Dromahair could not contain their potent attack.

Kate Gormley on her first start for Joseph’s was impressive, scoring 1-5 from play while Bronagh O’Rourke was another catalyst, her free taking and ability from play, saw her notch 3-6 in a player of the match display.

Dromahair looked to be out of the contest by half time, trailing 2-10 to 1-5, they only registered two second half scores, unable at times to win their own kick outs as the hosts pounced for their chances.

It started well for the hosts, leading by three in the opening four minutes, before Sinead Kelly and Roisin Fowley made it a one point game by the tenth minute. Josephs would however extend their winning margin through Gormley before Carmel McGovern hit the back of the net, Jessie McManus popped up with a point to complete their quick succession of scores, 1-5 to 0-2 after 13 minutes.

Hannah Clancy goaled near the end of the opening quarter to reduce the deficit to three, it looked like Dromahair would use the momentum to come back, but the shots were quick to take control of proceedings.

McGovern notched her second goal with 15 minutes on the clock, despite two quick efforts from Dromahair they were immediately cancelled out by O’Rourke and McManus. Aine Heslin did well as a makeshift goalkeeper to save from Roisin Fowley, her save allowed them to go up the other end with O’Rourke firing their third into the back of the net.

They ended the half with a flurry three late scores giving them the edgel, 3-10 to 1-5, despite Folwey kicking an effort over it was a consolation on the overall reflection of the scoreboard.

Heslin was again doing well in net to thwart any sign of a second Dromahair goal, as the hosts started to pull further ahead, leading 3-14 to 1-5 after O’Rourke pointed a free after 43 minutes.

From the resulting kick out their next passages of play resulted in three goals, O’Rourke notched her second, before a second misplaced kick out in a row saw substitute Grainne O’Maley make it five, before a couple of seconds elapsed to see Gormley finish a great move for their sixth.

It took until the 47th minute for Dromahair to register their first score, Elaine Hamilton converting from a free. The scores would keep coming late on O’Maley kicked her second and their seventh goal after 51 minutes, seconds later O’Rourke completed her hat trick with their eight.

Eimear McHugh kicked the visitors second score of the half minutes from the end of normal time, as they never gave up despite what the scoreboard was saying, Joseph's fully deserving of their first win in the championship.