Compiled by Declan Rooney
Aishling Moloney kicked ten points as Tipperary battled their way past a strong and stubborn Westmeath effort to claim a vital win in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League in a windswept Bansha.
Another outstanding individual
performance from Moloney paved the way for the Premier ladies to claim the win
in very tough conditions, as Storm Dennis played a big part in the quality of
the game.
A penalty from Leona Archibold
edged Westmeath ahead at the interval, but with Moloney on song in the tough
conditions Tipperary pulled clear and ran out 0-11 to 1-6 winners.
With four points to their name
manager Shane Ronayne said they have taken a big step towards maintaining their
place in the top flight.
“We’re happy with the result,
more so than the performance,” said Ronayne. “But that result will go a long
way to guaranteeing Division 1 football for next year.
“We've a very young team there
with a lot of minors and matches like these are always going to be a learning
curve and we're looking forward to Waterford next week.”
Westmeath manager, Sean
Finnegan praised his side’s performance in the tricky conditions despite their
third loss in a row.
“The damage was done in the
first half with some really bad wides from us with the wind,” said Finnegan.
“But I thought our second-half
performance was unbelievable into the teeth of a wind, and we had enough
chances near the end.”
Elsewhere in Division 1, Peter
Leahy’s Mayo picked up their second win from three games as they coped
admirably with the conditions and edged past Waterford in a storm-interrupted
second-half in Swinford.
The teams were tied at 0-2
each at the interval, but Waterford couldn’t add to Chloe Fennell and Caoimhe
McGrath scored in the second period.
Instead Mayo made the most of
the wind at their backs and four Rachel Kearns points, and one each from Sinead
Cafferky and Natasha Gaughan got them over the line on a 0-6 to 0-2 scoreline.
“This was definitely a game of
two halves,” said Mayo’s Maria Reilly.
“The wind made it very
difficult for everyone and we’re just absolutely delighted to have got the win
against a fine Waterford team.
“We played into the wind in
the first half and knew we had to keep the goals out, so worked very hard as a
unit.”
Lidl National Football League Division 1
Tipperary 0-11 Westmeath 1-6
Mayo 0-6 Waterford 0-2
