Dublin manager Mick Bohan spoke of his pride for his players as they toppled last year’s TG4 All-Ireland Senior champions at Páirc Tailteann in Navan.
Meath had beaten Cork and Waterford already this season but came unstuck and had to settle for a runners-up spot in Division 1B of the Lidl National Football League.
Dublin will now face Donegal while Meath clash with Mayo in the semi-finals on March 19. Meanwhile, Waterford will take on Westmeath in the Division 1 relegation play-off.
In Division 2, Armagh will take on Laois with Kerry up against Monaghan in the semi-finals. Clare and Tyrone face-off in relegation battle next Sunday.
In Division 3, Kildare take on Roscommon and Down face Wexford, with Louth and Wicklow clashing in the relegation play-off, while the Division 4 semi-finals are Leitrim against Offaly and Fermanagh versus Limerick.
But in the huge Leinster derby this weekend it was Dublin who drew first blood in front a whopping crowd as the rivalry continues to grow.
5 March 2022; Hannah Tyrrell of Dublin shoots to score her side's first goal during the Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 1 match between Meath and Dublin at Páirc Táilteann in Navan, Meath. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
“I’m delighted, I just thought today the character of the group was unquestionable,” said Bohan.
“We’re immensely proud of the way they finished it out. Obviously going down to 13 players on the final stretch was a difficult one to ask but look what they did.”
Hannah Tyrrell scored the winning free with the last kick of the game as Dublin sealed a 1-9 to 1-8 success. They were 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at half-time and Tyrrell also scored their goal while Emma White’s effort was just a consolation.
Cork manager Shane Ronayne knows his team are far from the finished article although they battled to secure a 1-14 to 0-14 win against Waterford at MTU. Katie Quirke’s early goal was vital.
“We’re happy with the win but wouldn’t have been happy with the performance and we have a lot of work to do for the next eight weeks before we face Waterford again in the Munster championship,” said Ronayne.
In Division 1A, Mayo emerged as table-toppers following their gritty 2-7 to 1-7 win against Donegal at the Connacht Centre of Excellence. Sinéad Walsh and Shauna Howley scored the goals for Michael Moyles’ side.
6 March 2022; Sinead Walsh of Mayo scores her side's first goal despite the efforts of Shelly Twohig of Donegal, left, and Donegal goalkeeper Roisin McCafferty during the Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 1A, Round 3 match between Mayo and Donegal at Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan, Mayo. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
“There’s four girls there that didn’t start against Galway and two debutants that have never started for Mayo before so to give them game time for Mayo is brilliant,” said Moyles.
“To be honest, they gave us another headache because they all played very well.”
Galway manager Maghnus Breathnach praised the heroics of the returning Tracey Leonard as she helped them seal a 3-13 to 0-7 victory over Westmeath in Moate.
Galway scored their goals late, with Charlotte Cooney, Andrea Trill and Leonard all on target.
“Tracey’s come back in the last few weeks and even just seeing her composure for us, helping the young players around her and really guiding them was excellent,” said Breathnach.
Elsewhere, Kerry beat Laois 4-17 to 1-9 while Tipperary held on for a 0-13 to 1-7 win in Division 2A. In 2B, Armagh’s fine form continued with a 0-13 to 0-6 against Monaghan and Cavan beat Tyrone 3-11 to 1-12.
In Division 3A, Down and Roscommon were victorious while Wexford beat Longford, and Kildare and Wicklow could not be separated.
In Division 4 there were wins for Fermanagh, Limerick and Offaly but Leitrim and Antrim finished in a draw.
Results:
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1A:
Mayo 2-7 Donegal 1-7
Galway 3-13 Westmeath 0-7
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1B:
Dublin 1-9 Meath 1-8
Cork 1-14 Waterford 0-14
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2A:
Kerry 4-17 Laois 1-9
Tipperary 0-13 Clare 1-7
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2B:
Cavan 3-11 Tyrone 1-12
Armagh 0-13 Monaghan 0-6
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3A:
Down 2-8 Louth 2-4
Roscommon 3-12 Sligo 2-9
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3B:
Wexford 3-5 Longford 3-4
Kildare 2-11 Wicklow 1-14
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4A:
Fermanagh 5-14 Derry 1-4
Leitrim 2-12 Antrim 3-9
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4B:
Limerick 2-13 Carlow 1-5
Offaly 4-10 London 2-5
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Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 semi-finals:
Dublin v Donegal
Mayo v Meath
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2 semi-finals:
Armagh v Laois
Kerry v Monaghan
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3 semi-finals:
Kildare v Roscommon
Down v Wexford
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4 semi-finals:
Leitrim v Offaly
Fermanagh v Limerick
See Also: Ciara Mageean Finding The Joy And Glory In The Little Battles
