2021 beaten Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3 finalists Kildare booked their place in the last four, but a semi-final berth hinges on next week's games to see if Down or Sligo have a chance of a knock-out berth.

Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3A
Sligo 3-6 Down 3-6; IT Sligo

Down missed out on the chance to book their spot in the Division 3 semi-final when they were held to a draw away to Sligo on Sunday. Sligo opened the scoring with a fine point from Megan McCormack.

Down replied with a goal from Viv McCormack to put them ahead. Sligo responded with a goal from Kate Walsh (a penalty) and from Sarah Cunning to put them ahead by four points. The sides were level in the 26th minute when Down got their second goal through McCormack (her second). The Mourne County held a one point advantage at the break.

Sligo regained the lead through a Lisa Casey goal but Down were awarded a penalty that Sarah Dougherty put away. The lead changed hands a few points and Sligo were ahead with time nearly up but Down levelled at the end through a Dougherty (free)

Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3B
Kildare 2-11 Longford 2-5; Killoe

Kildare qualified for the Division 3 semi-final with a six point win over Longford in Killoe on Sunday afternoon. Longford need to avoid defeat against Wexford in their final game if they are to advance to the last four.

Longford scored a goal with just 20 seconds gone on the clock; Michelle Farrell with the goal and they were ahead by three at the first water break. Kildare came back at them and on 25 minutes Orlaith O’Sullivan scored their first goal. The sides were level 1-4 apiece at the break.

Kildare upped their performance in the second half and a goal from Nessa Dooley gave the Lilywhites a three point advantage at the second water break. Longford scored a second goal but Kildare saw out the game winning by six points.

Down overcame Roscommon in what was the game of the day in Division 3A while Kildare were big winners over Wexford in their opening game in Division 3B

Lidl NFL Division 3A

Down 4-10 Roscommon 4-9, Páirc Esler, Newry

There was a goal fest at Pairc Esler in Newry as Down emerged winners by a single point. Roscommon took an early lead with goals from Laura Fleming and Lisa O’Rourke. Down replied with goals from Sarah Dougherty, Orla Swali and Jess Foy (penalty) to go seven ahead.

Down held a two point lead at half-time - 3-5 to 3-3. Niamh Shanagher had scored a third goal for the Rossies in the 30th minute to cut Down’s lead to four points.

A pointed free from Laura Fleming gave Roscommon the lead midway through the second half but Down were back in front minutes later with Jess Foy grabbing her second and her side’s fourth. Jenny Higgins got a fourth goal for Roscommon but Down held on for the win.

Sligo 1-10 Louth 1-10

A goal from Katie Walsh just before the second water break brought Sligo back into this game and late points earned them a draw at home to Louth.

Louth made a great start to the game and were ahead by six points at the first water break and held a four point lead going in at the break - 1-07 to 0-06. The goal was scored by Kate Flood by the opening stages of the half.

Sligo cut the gap to just one point before the second water break with Walsh grabbing a goal. Both sides kicked over points near the end as the game finished all square. 

Lidl NFL Division 3B

Wexford 0-8 Kildare 3-11

Kildare made a great start to their league campaign with 12 points to spare over Wexford at the Shelmaliers Grounds. 

The lead was eight points at the break 1-6 to 0-1. Nessa Dooley scored their first goal in the 20th minute and they tagged on three more points before half-time.

Things got worse for Wexford when Kildare got their second goal in the 35th minute through Orlaith Sullivan. Both sides tagged on two points each before Dooley got her second and her side’s third in the 45th minute to extend the lead to 14 points and there was no comeback for Wexford. 

Wicklow 1-12 Longford 1-18

Longford recorded a good away win in their opening against Wicklow. They were ahead by three at the break 1-9 to 0-9; Michelle Farrell’s goal the difference between the two sides. The sides were level at the first water break.

Sarah Shannon kicked over four points for Longford in the opening half while Sinead McGettigan scored six (four frees) for Wicklow. Longford were ahead by six in the early stages of the second half but a penalty from Jackie Kinsh (playing in goals) brought Wicklow back to within three in the 41st minute. 

The lead was four for Longford at the second water break. Longford added four more points to their tally as they ran out by six point winners. Farrell ended the game with 1-5 (4fs) while Shannon finished with 0-7 (4fs).