There were mixed results for local sides in the opening rounds of this year’s Leinster ladies football championships.
On Saturday, Kilkenny champions Muckalee proved too strong for Sarsfields of Laois. They had room to spare with a 5-10 to 2-06 win on the road in the preliminary round to book a place in the last eight of this year’s provincial junior championships.
Carlow’s Éire Óg won’t be joining them in the next stage as they fell to St. Martin’s of Wexford on Sunday, 1-14 to 1-03.
St. Joseph’s of Westmeath also claimed a win against Coolkenno (Wicklow) while Naomh Fionnbarra of Louth automatically progress with the withdrawal of Offaly’s champions.
In the intermediate championship, Carlow champions Old Leighlin had Rachel Sawyer kick 1-4 along with goals from Aoife Roche and Gemma Carpenter en route to a 3-08 to 3-07 win over Killucan, despite a late penalty scare.
They’ll be joined by Tinahely in the quarter-finals who had a 5-12 to 2-15 win over Ballinamere/Durrow of Offaly while Wexford’s Shelmaliers were 2-08 to 2-06 winners over Park Ratheniska of Laois.
On the senior front, we will see new champions this year with St. Peter’s Dunboyne bowing out to Kilmacud Crokes. Tinahely’s senior side came away with a 0-16 to 4-03 win over Milltown (Westmeath) while Eadestown of Kildare had a point to spare at the final whistle with a 2-10 to 3-06 win over Portlaoise.