Leitrim, Fermanagh and Carlow record Division 4 wins

There were victories for Leitrim, Fermanagh and Carlow as the 2024 Lidl Ladies National Football League got under way with a full set of fixtures in Division 4.

At the home of Feohanagh/Castlemahon GAA in Limerick, meanwhile, the points were shared as the hosts and visitors Wicklow finished level at full-time.

Leitrim, who lost the Division 4 final to Antrim last season, laid down an early marker with a 2-18 to 0-2 victory over home side Kilkenny at the MW Hire Training Centre in Dunmore.

Leitrim were on top from the start and led by 1-10 to 0-00 at half-time, with Ailbhe Clancy scoring the opening goal of the game before the break.

Kilkenny continued to battle gamely throughout but Leitrim scored a second goal before the full-time whistle, with Bronagh O'Rourke finding the net late on.

In Donagh, Fermanagh, semi-finalists last year, showed up well against Longford as they recorded a 2-14 to 1-06 victory.

Attackers Eimear Smyth and Bláithín Bogue were in excellent form for Fermanagh and they were very much to the fore in the opening half as the hosts established a 2-09 to 0-4 interval lead.

Elaine Maguire struck for the opening Fermanagh goal on 21 minutes and Niamh McManus followed up with a second major for the winners before half-time.

Longford struck back with a goal from Niamh Brady early in the second half but Fermanagh kept the scoreboard ticking over to claim a crucial win on the opening day.

At Celtic Park, Carlow made the long trip to Derry a winning one, claiming a 3-07 to 2-05 win.

Second-half goals from Clíodhna Ní Shé and Fia Murphy proved crucial for the Barrowsiders in an entertaining fixture.

At half-time, Orla McGeough had all four of Derry’s points as the sides were deadlocked at 0-04 to 1-01, with Maeve O’Neill