A round-up of the opening weekend of the 2022 Lidl National Football League; Dublin run out comprehensive winners against Waterford, while reigning All-Ireland champions Meath overcome Cork
By Daragh Small
Last Updated: 13/02/22 6:10pm
Dublin were too strong for Waterford
Champions Dublin began their Lidl NFL Division 1 title defence with a 4-7 to 1-4 victory over Waterford at Fraher Field in Dungarvan on Sunday.
Caoimhe O’Connor scored 1-1 for the two-time winners, who were 2-3 to 0-1 in front at half-time and with Jennifer Dunne, Siobhan Killeen and Hannah Leahy also among the goals, Waterford couldn’t find a way back. Emma Murray scored the consolation goal late on.
Hannah Tyrrell of Dublin in action against Megan Dunord of Waterford
Also in Division 1B, on Saturday, TG4 All-Ireland Champions Meath got their campaign up and running with an impressive 2-7 to 1-8 victory over Cork at Páirc Tailteann in Navan. The Royals were 0-6 to 0-4 ahead at half-time and goals from Emma Duggan and Orlagh Lally cancelled out an Emma Cleary effort.
On Saturday, there were two games in Division 1A with Donegal getting the better of Galway, 0-10 to 0-7 in Ballybofey. Geraldine McLaughlin was the star for Maxi Curran’s side once again and she scored 0-7 to help them over the line.
Mayo were comprehensive winners against Westmeath, where it finished 7-22 to 1-12 in the Connacht Dome. Maria Reilly (two), Shauna Howley, Sinéad Cafferky, Sinéad Walsh, Laura Moran and Ava Keane scored goals for the hosts with Anna Jones scoring Westmeath’s only goal.
After their relegation last year, Tipperary began life in Division 2A with a difficult 0-11 to 1-4 loss away to Kerry. Angela McGuigan scored the goal but it wasn’t enough in the end.
Elsewhere Laois were 2-12 to 2-7 winners in the other 2A fixture while in Division 2B, Armagh beat Tyrone 5-9 to 1-10 and Monaghan needed a last-gasp free from Jodie McQuillan to rescue a 0-10 to 0-9 victory over Cavan.
In Division 3, there were victories for Down, Kildare and Longford while Sligo and Louth could not be separated. And in Division 4, Limerick, Leitrim, Antrim and Offaly were all victorious.
Emma Duggan hit the net for the Royals
Results
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1A
Mayo 7-22 Westmeath 1-12
Donegal 0-10 Galway 0-7
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1B
Meath 2-7 Cork 1-8
Dublin 4-7 Waterford 1-4
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2A
Kerry 0-11 Tipperary 1-4
Laois 2-12 Clare 2-7
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2B
Monaghan 0-10 Cavan 0-9
Armagh 5-9 Tyrone 1-10
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3A
Down 4-10 Roscommon 4-9
Sligo 1-10 Louth 1-10
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3B
Kildare 3-11 Wexford 0-8
Longford 1-18 Wicklow 1-12
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4A
Leitrim 4-18 Fermanagh 1-6
Antrim 2-16 Derry 1-8
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4B
Offaly 3-15 Carlow 0-7
Limerick 2-9 London 0-9