Dublin 3-18
Westmeath 0-8
Jackie Cahill reports from Netwatch Cullen Park
DUBLIN ARE THE TG4 Leinster ladies senior football champions for the sixth successive season.
The Sky Blues demolished Westmeath by 3-18 to 0-8 in Sunday’s provincial decider at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow.
Mick Bohan’s charges had the damage done in the first half, as they established a 3-8 to 0-3 interval lead.
Dublin notched early scores from Noelle Healy and Carla Rowe, before Fiona Claffey opened Westmeath’s account in the ninth minute.
But the Lake County wouldn’t score again for 12 minutes and by then, they were 0-1 to 1-5 adrift.
Dublin’s opening goal arrived in the 17th minute, Healy on target, and the Jackies pushed on to establish a 14-point interval lead.
Lauren Magee scored their second goal six minutes before the break and it was effectively game over when Healy struck again in stoppage time.
Dublin were content to keep the scoreboard ticking over in the second half, as Bohan took the opportunity to run his bench.
Hannah O’Neill was one of the players introduced for Dublin, to make her championship debut, on what was a wholly satisfying afternoon for Bohan and his backroom team.
Dublin had blasted out an ominous statement of intent with a massive semi-final win against Laois – and further cemented their status as one of the favourites for Brendan Martin Cup glory in September.
They’re now straight through to a quarter-final, but Westmeath must head for the qualifiers and a date with Ulster outfit Armagh.
Healy top-scored for Dublin with a 2-3 haul, as Magee added 1-1, but the winners had nine different scorers on the day.
Scorers for Dublin - Noelle Healy 2-03, Lauren Magee 1-01, Sinead Aherne 0-4(1f), Carla Rowe 0-03, Nicole Owens 0-02, Denise McKenna 0-2(1f), Rachel Ruddy 0-01, Niamh McEvoy 0-01, Niamh Collins 0-01
Westmeath scorers - Fiona Claffey 0-02, Laura Lee Walsh 0-02(1f), Leona Archibald 0-02(1f), Lucy McCartan 0-01. Maud Annie Foley 0-01
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Really tight between IRL and FRA but I’m going for IRL based on home advantage in the head to head. GS to boot.
Ireland. Slam. Sláinte.
A brief dip in form in the Autumn after 4 years of constant top quality rugby Inc summer Lions, NZ, SA tours but everyone is now fit and playing well. Competition for position with options left out of the squad if required for injuries. Nothing is certain but we are in a great position.
France.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Oh u of little faith
@Noel Lynn: Just being realistic. They have Dupont and Ntamack back. We were poor in the autumn. Faz isn’t here… Wouldn’t be surprised if we were 3rd or 4th. But hopefully I’m wrong!
@Carmine Lorenzo: ray ridge is effecting you lol but ya i hope your wrong too but france will be fave’s
Ireland, but I would have preferred Andy in the driving seat!!
With Dupont and Ntamack together again I just think they’ll be too strong.
I don’t Ireland will change things up too much with Farrell out and it feels like other teams have managed to counter our attack to some extent. Maybe the new direct around kick chaser will help though as I feel Ireland are good under the auld box kick
@Luke mc govern: we’ve beaten them before with Dupont and N’tamak. Yes they’ll be much stronger than the team we trashed in Marseille but I still just about fancy us.
@Luke mc govern: Yes ireland need to try few different things if they cant break teams down like kicking more
Ireland