2 days Ago
“We’ve new girls into the panel this year, we have a new way of playing,” said Fermanagh manager CJ McGourty after a game where Eimear Smyth scored 1-08. “It’s a great game behind us. Sligo gave us some thinking to do in terms of different aspects of our play.
Also, we weren’t brilliant in every single department, and that allows for a wee bit of scope for improvement moving forward, which is great.” Antrim manager Michael Devlin was delighted they reached the Final, even if there is plenty of room for growth. “We came in with a purpose for every game and we prepared like we did for every game,” he said.
“The girls played three different games today. One where they were fluid. One where they had to dig deep.
One where they conceded three soft goals but they didn’t drop their heads.” The 2025 Lidl NFL Division One Finalists, both of whom had qualified for the decider before the final round, lost with reigning champions Armagh going down by 2-12 to 4-05 to Meath. Kelly Mallon with 1-03 and Aoife McCoy, Niamh Coleman and Caoimhe McNally goals were not enough to deny Meath a fourth win with Emma Duggan shooting 1-09.
“I don’t know how many debuts were made today, so it was disappointing in one aspect but pleasing in others to see girls who have worked hard over the last few months actually get a chance to wear the jersey for Armagh,” said joint-manager Darnell Parkinson. The TG4 All-Ireland SFC holders Kerry lost by 2-12 to 2-10 to Dublin. Tyrone lost their top-flight status when they lost to Kildare by 4-10 to 2-08.
“We felt we were going well at half-time, we were defending well, we were shutting them down and forcing Kildare to snatch shots,” said Tyrone manager Darren McCann. “Half-time probably came at the wrong time. When you are playing top teams, you can’t afford to be switched off at any stage, but I can’t fault our girls’ effort.
They went to the well to the very end. “It would have been easy to stop, but our girls didn’t and they haven’t done that throughout the League.” Armagh v Kerry Mayo and Tyrone Galway v Cork Roscommon and Clare Cavan v Wexford Carlow and Offaly Fermanagh v Antrim.
