HOLDERS Armagh will bid to become only the fourth county in history to retain the Lidl National Football League Division 1 crown when they take on Kerry in the 2025 top flight decider at Croke Park on Saturday, April 12.
The clash with the reigning TG4 All-Ireland SFC champions is a repeat of last year’s decider which Armagh won for the first time with a 2-12 to 2-9 win over a Kerry side who came into the final as league title holders.
Now Armagh will bid to follow in the footsteps of Cork, Kerry and Monaghan and retain the crown when the showpiece takes place at Croke Park on April 12.
But champions Armagh surrendered their winning run on Saturday when they went down by 1-22 to 1-12 away to Waterford.
Kerry sealed their place in the final for the third year in a row when they edged out Meath by 0-13 to 1-8 in Tralee.
The relegation battle will go down to the final round of games next weekend with Tyrone, Kildare and Mayo battling to avoid the drop.
Mayo kept their survival hopes alive with a 3-4 to 0-12 win over Kildare in Swinford. Tyrone, who will play Kildare in the final round, went down by 1-11 to 3-4 to Dublin.
Mayo will travel to play Waterford in their final game, Kerry will host Dublin while their league final opponents Armagh will entertain Meath.
In Division Two, Galway and Cork, both of whom were relegated last season, made a swift return to the top flight when they both secured victories this afternoon. Galway were 7-23 to 0-4 winners against Monaghan.
Galway dominated throughout with no fewer than six goalscorers; Roisín Leonard hit a brace while there was a goal each for AIB LGFA Club Player of the Year Louise Ward, Olvia Divilly, Eva Noone, Kate Thompson and Shauna Hynes.
In Naomh Abán, it was a closer affair, but the Rebels secured promotion with a 1-12 to 0-7 win against Clare. Katie Quirke hit 0-6 (5f) for the winners while Laura O’Mahony hit 1-1.
Meanwhile, Donegal were three point winners against Tipperary, in a low scoring encounter that was 0-4 each at the break, Donegal were 0-10 to 0-7 winners.
Anna Jones hit 0-5 for Westmeath as they ensured relegation from Division Two ranks will be confirmed next weekend as they defeated Roscommon by 1-14 to 1-10. Ashley Ruane hit the all important goal for Westmeath.
In Division Three, Cavan secured promotion to Division Two next season with a 2-16 to 0-11 against Laois. The final promotion spot is still in the mix with Wexford, Louth and Laois all still in contention after wins for Wexford, Louth and Down this afternoon.
Results:
Lidl Ladies National Football League – Division 1
Dublin 1-11 Tyrone 3-4
Waterford 1-22 Armagh 1-12
Mayo 3-4 Kildare 0-12
Kerry 0-13 Meath 1-8
Lidl Ladies National Football League – Division 2
Cork 1-12 Clare 0-7
Westmeath 1-14 Roscommon 1-10
Galway 7-23 Monaghan 0-4
Donegal 0-10 Tipperary 0-7
Lidl Ladies National Football League – Division 3
Cavan 2-16 Laois 0-11
Down 3-12 Offaly 1-7
Wexford 2-17 Carlow 1-6
Louth 2-7 Limerick 0-10
