Lidl Ladies NFL Division Three
Roscommon 3-11 Fermanagh 4-8
Roscommon ladies footballers face a stiff test this Sunday in Enfield when they play top-of-the-table Antrim in round three of the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division Three.
Last Sunday Roscommon and Fermanagh played out a thrilling 3-11 to 4-8 draw in round two at the Tempo GAA club grounds. It was a real rollercoaster of a match. Roscommon began brilliantly and led by 3-4 to 1-2 after only 22 minutes.
Rachel Fitzmaurice scored Roscommon’s opening goal inside the first minute of play. Two further goals from the boot of Aisling Hanly, who was Roscommon’s best player on the day, pushed Finbar Egan’s side into a commanding eight-point lead. But Fermanagh hit back before the break with goals from Sinead Barrett and Joanne Doonan, and by half-time the sides were level at 3-4 apiece.
The scoring rate dipped in the second half but a second goal for Sinead Barrett moved the home side into a three-point lead inside the final three minutes. However, late points from Aisling Hanly, Niamh Feeney and a free from Caoimhe Lennon tied up the scores inside the final minute. Indeed Roscommon had a late chance to win it but Roise Lennon’s free came back off a post, meaning the spoils were shared.
Speaking to People Sport this week, team manager Finbar Egan first reflected on that dramatic draw against Fermanagh.
“It was a great game of football for the neutral but not great for the heart on the line!” he quipped. “But I was very happy with the way we played. We started really well but we let them back into it and we missed a few chances at vital times. But overall it was a good performance. They were at full strength. I was happy with our overall display.”
Finbar says that there are several players currently returning to action, which will strengthen the team.
“Saoirse Wynne is back and Ria Lennon is back training too and there are a few others who are on the way back so that’s very positive.”
The manager says that Antrim will be a very tough test for his team on Sunday.
“They are playing well and are a good side but at home I think we have enough to take the two points. It’s very important to win your home matches and that’s what we are aiming to do” he said.
Antrim will come into the game as league leaders after comfortable wins against Clare and Limerick. They were defeated in the All-Ireland junior final in 2025 and are determined to go a step further this year.
This should be a cracking game. On home soil, Roscommon will be expecting to win – and they should be able to achieve that aim by three or four points.
Roscommon (v Fermanagh): Caoimhe O’Reilly; Aine McGrath, Rachel Brady, Mia Macken; Grainne Lohan, Ellen Irwin, Megan McKeon; Abby Curran (0-1), Ruth Cox; Niamh Feeney (0-1), Lauren Shanagher, Niamh Watson; Aisling Hanly (2-5, 2 frees), Caoimhe Lennon (0-3), Rachel Fitzmaurice (1-0). Subs: Kate Nolan for Shanagher, Saoirse Wynne for Lohan, Ria Lennon (0-1) for Fitzmaurice.
