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Blaithín Mackin was among three Armagh goalscorers. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Armagh open league title defence with win over All-Ireland champions Kerry, Dublin defeat Mayo

Winning starts for new Armagh joint-managers Darnell Parkinson and Joe Feeney, and Dublin duo Paul Casey and Derek Murray.

Results – Lidl Ladies Football League

Division 1

  • Armagh 3-11 Kerry 1-13
  • Dublin 2-7 Mayo 1-7

******

AN OUTSTANDING SECOND half from champions Armagh, in which they outscored Kerry by 3-6 to 0-6, saw them claim the spoils against a Kerry side that ran out of legs in the finish at a windy Austin Stack Park in Tralee in the first round of the Lidl National Football League.

The introduction of substitutes Blaithín Mackin, who struck for 1-1, and Rebecca Cunningham, with a goal, made all the difference, whilst Anna Carr in the Armagh goal was also in superb form. Caroline O’Hanlon lined out in midfield as she embarked on her 24th consecutive inter-county season, aged 40.

It was a positive start for Armagh joint-managers Darnell Parkinson and Joe Feeney, and a useful workout for new Kerry boss Mark Bourke as he takes the reins of the TG4 All-Ireland senior champions.

The Kingdom led 1-7 to 0-5 at half time, having grown into the game. Síofra O’Shea found the back of the net in the 20th minute as she led the scoring charge throughout. 

In a repeat of last year’s top-flight decider, and in the first competitive game between the sides since the 2024 All-Ireland semi-final, Armagh struck for three points on the trot early in the second half.

Carr made a fine double save from O’Shea and Jadyn Lucey, but Lucey saw yellow straight afterwards for a high challenge. When O’Shea pointed for Kerry in the 45th minute to make it 1-13 to 0-9, it proved to be Kerry’s last score of the game.

It was all Armagh from here on in: Niamh Reel with a brace of points was followed by a splendid goal from Mackin, before Cunningham struck for a scorcher in the 53rd minute. The last major of the contest came from Roisin Mulligan as Armagh had too much in the finish for a Kerry team that faded in the last quarter.

Scorers for Kerry: S O’Shea 1-6 (0-4f), A Galvin 0-2, J Lucey, R Dwyer, K Cronin, C Evans & N Ní Chonchúir 0-1 each.

Scorers for Armagh: N Reel 0-4 , B Mackin 1-1, R Cunningham & R Mulligan 1-0 each, E Lavery 0-3 (1f), E McGeown 0-2, C O’Hanlon 0-1.

Kerry: M.E. Bolger; R Smith, D Kearney, F O’Donoghue; A O’Connell, K Cronin, A Dillane; M O’Connell, A Galvin (capt.); N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; J Lucey, S O’Shea, R Dwyer.

Subs: J Gill for C Evans 44, C McCarthy for R Smith, K Brosnan for R Dwyer (both 47), K O’Connor for N Ní Chonchúir 49, M Higgins for J Lucey 55, N Ní Chonchúir for M O’Connell 56, R Rahilly for F O’Donoghue 58

Armagh: A Carr; M Ferguson, L Kenny, C Towe; E Druse, L McConville (capt.), R Mulligan; N Coleman, C O’Hanlon; A McCoy, M Feehan, E Lavery; N Reel, M Lennon, E McGeown.

Subs: B Mackin for L Kenny 33,: C McNally for M Lennon, M McGann for E Lavery (both 40), R Cunningham for E McGeown 52, N Henderson for N reel 55,  C Garvey for M Feehan 56.

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).

- By Dan Kearney

******

annie-gough-and-niamh-donlon Mayo's Annie Gough and Niamh Donlon of Dublin. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

Rebecca McDonnell and Chloe Darby grabbed goals in either half at Parnell Park as Dublin began life under the joint management of Paul Casey and Derek Murray with a hard-earned win over Mayo in the opening round of the Lidl National Football League Division 1.

Despite the late withdrawal of team captain Carla Rowe – Mayo skipper Danielle Caldwell was also replaced in her side’s starting line-up before throw-in – Dublin raced into an early two-point buffer courtesy of fine scores by Niamh Hetherton and Sophie McIntyre.

While their western counterparts initially struggled to create attacking momentum, they eventually opened their account when full-forward Sinead Walsh knocked over an 11th-minute free.

Despite registering a number of wides in the early stages, Dublin increased their advantage and McDonnell’s brilliant 23rd-minute goal brought daylight. However, the lead was sensationally wiped out after Walsh followed up a brace of frees with a superb 29th-minute goal.

The sides were level at 1-4 apiece during the interval, but Dublin immediately re-established their authority when Darby clinically secured a three-pointer less than 20 seconds after the restart.

Although Mayo gained a temporary numerical advantage when Grace Kos was sin-binned on 35 minutes, Liam McHale’s charges fell further adrift.

Sherin El Massry did kick a fine point for the visitors just before Kos’ return to partly lift the scoring burden off Walsh’s shoulders, but Mayo were subsequently reduced to 14 players themselves inside the final-quarter when Ella Brennan fouled stand-in Dublin skipper Leah Caffrey.

Points from Walsh (who finished with an impressive haul of 1-5) and Aoife Geraghty did reduce Mayo’s deficit to two late on, before Darby split the posts off a routine free to put the seal on a Dublin victory.

Scorers for Dublin: C Darby 1-3 (0-3f), R McDonnell 1-0, J Egan 0-2, N Hetherton, S McIntyre 0-1 each.

Scorers for Mayo: S Walsh 1-5 (0-5f), S El Massry, A Geraghty 0-1 each.

Dublin: KM Tighe; J Tobin, L Caffrey, A Nyhan; H McGinnis, M Byrne, N Donlon; C Darby, G Kos; A Curran, R McDonnell, S McIntyre; A Timothy, N Hetherton, J Egan.  

Subs: K Murray for McIntyre (43), C Fox for Egan (49), C Kirwan for Timothy (64).

Mayo: R Dyar; E Brennan, S Lally, C Durkin; K Sullivan, S El Massry, H Reape; E Murray, A Geraghty; L Wallace, A Gough, M Sheridan; M Cannon, S Walsh, C Whyte.

Subs: B Hession for Whyte (h-t), K Doherty for Sheridan (47), A Fitzpatrick for Sullivan (50), S Delaney for Cannon (56), J Mortimer for Reape (61).

Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).

- By Daire Walsh

Additional reporting by Emma Duffy

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    Mute Meatloaf
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 2:56 PM

    Sheer boredom must have got him

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    Mute Frainc Ó Broin
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:13 PM

    @Meatloaf: he didn’t start once this year, he was just getting a sub appearance at the end of most championship matches. May have been frustrated with that.

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    Mute Meatloaf
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:21 PM

    @Frainc Ó Broin: yeah bad enough having to play could you imagine being forced to sit there an watch most of them!

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    Mute Frainc Ó Broin
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:27 PM

    @Meatloaf: you aren’t from Dublin and don’t remember the feeling of winning, it’s not something that gets boring. Worth noting mannion probably has studies to complete and the lad has given his all for so many years so deserves a break

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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:20 PM

    Unreal work rate and and ability to kick scores from any where. He’ll be missed for sure, thanks for your service Paul. Up the Dubs

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    Mute Gerard Smith
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:56 PM

    @my name: point taking is fabulous. Dependable from anywhere. A real loss to the team

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    Jan 22nd 2021, 4:06 PM

    @Gerard Smith: I should have mentioned he kicks off either foot too. Massive loss

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    Mute Finnster
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 4:13 PM

    @my name: they are dropping like flies but the lads that are replacing them are just as good . Any chance they would take a year out and let Galway one of the traditional top four football teams in history win another one ; )))

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    Jan 22nd 2021, 4:23 PM

    @Finnster: part of me would like that as Galway really are the only side capable of taking Sam across the Shannon pal. But nah. We want more titles

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    Mute James Gorman
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 9:20 PM

    @my name: just not unreal eneough to make the starting 15 now – hence his sensible decision not to give over his life to warm the bench. Dublin have the pick of a province. Ten more lads to fill his boots.

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    Jan 22nd 2021, 9:59 PM

    @James Gorman: unreal enough to get 3 All Stars in a row James

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    Mute Looney Tunes
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:01 PM

    Players have no interest as its too much commitment & 1 way traffic for the Dubs, no competition & the Dubs are expected to win sam every year now, monotonous every year, ps good luck Paul, a fabulous player

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    Mute Seán Óg
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:21 PM

    @Looney Tunes: Monotonous winning? That’s loser talk right there. You’re not from Mayo by any chance?

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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:24 PM

    @Looney Tunes: you lost me when you said the players have no interest. That’s complete and utter malarkey. You must now spend a few hours looking for the 5 lamps as a penance..

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    Jan 22nd 2021, 4:02 PM

    @Seán Óg: it’s too easy Sean

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    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 7:41 PM

    @Togs: Why are they leaving early so?

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    Jan 22nd 2021, 10:51 PM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: ehh.. Not cuz it’s boring anyway fjs..

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:15 PM

    Apparently taking time off to complete his Masters

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 5:31 PM

    Great, great player with a sweet left foot. Good luck with the studies Paul and hope to see you back in blue in 22.

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    Mute Brian James Moss
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 3:08 PM

    Offaly for Sam!!

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    Mute Eddie Walsh
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 4:18 PM

    I think it’s very worrying that we are losing such Brilliant players from our game
    In any other Sport this would not happen
    Time for a rethink.

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    Mute JG
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 4:25 PM

    @Eddie Walsh: rethink of what exactly. Paddy A and MD are at retiring age and Mannion will be back. Don’t exaggerate the extent. Lads retire every year from every sport.

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    Jan 22nd 2021, 4:25 PM

    @Eddie Walsh: players have careers to think of in Gaelic games though Eddie. Mannion already has to take a year out to got to China as part of his studies

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    Mute Moya Power-kelly
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    Jan 23rd 2021, 11:24 AM

    @Eddie Walsh: Paul’s taking a year out to consatrete on his master’s which he’s obviously decided he can’t do both he hasn’t actually come out and said he’s retiring from inter county football

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    Mute Stephen Mc Dermott
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    Jan 22nd 2021, 4:22 PM

    The weekly eulogy to retiring Dublin players is now as boring as the sport itself.

    Correct that, its sickening.

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