Football

Antrim advance to Division Four final; Donegal drop to Division Two

Emma Kelly's Antrim had a big win over Limerick to reach the Division Four final
Emma Kelly's Antrim had a big win over Limerick to reach the Division Four final Emma Kelly's Antrim had a big win over Limerick to reach the Division Four final

Lidl Ladies’ National Football League

Division Four semi-finals

Antrim 3-16 Limerick 1-11

Leitrim 1-12 Fermanagh 1-10 (after extra-time) 

ANTRIM and Leitrim will contest the Division Four final next month after both came through their respective semi-finals. 

The Saffrons had a straight-forward win over Limerick in Whitehall, Dublin, however in Bawnboy, extra-time was needed to separate the sides. 

Antrim fell behind to two Limerick points – two frees converted by Laoise Brown, but they reeled off 1-5 without reply to take control.

Orlaith Prenter, who finished with 1-10, got 1-4 of that haul and they put together another 1-5 before the break, Theresa Mellon with the goal, to give the Saffrons a comfortable 2-12 to 0-5 half-time cushion. 

Limerick hit a second-half purple patch, grabbing a goal of their own through Cathy Mee on 43 minutes, to make it 2-13 to 1-9 and bring them back to within seven, but Grainne McLaughlin’s goal ensured there was no way back for Limerick and Antrim booked their place in the league final for the first time since 2019. 

Leitrim needed a late injury-time free from Michelle Guckian to tie up their semi-final against Fermanagh 1-8 apiece and send the game to extra-time.

The sides hit a point each in the first half of extra-time before Leitrim edged ahead, Leah Fox with a point from play and a point from a free. Guckian, who was sin-binned during the first half of extra-time returned to the field and added a further point and although Fermanagh did pull one back, time ran out for James Daly’s side and Leitrim progressed to the final.

Division One

Donegal have been relegated from Division One, their fate sealed by a 5-9 to 3-2 defeat to Mayo in Letterkenny in a relegation shootout.  

Mayo had their top-flight status all but secured by the interval when they built up a commanding 4-5 to 0-1 interval lead. 

They never looked like relinquishing that control, although Donegal came with a late flurry of three goals.

Kerry beat Galway to top the standings and will face the Tribe again in the divisional final.