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Lidl NFL Division 1 Rd 5
Armagh 2-11 Dublin 2-11
Report by Elaine Ingram
An exciting battle at the Box-It Athletic Grounds which included penalties at both ends, saw the spoils shared between Armagh and Dublin in this Lidl National League Division 1 clash.
With relegation a real worry for both the reigning TG4 All-Ireland champions Dublin and last year's Division 1 finalists Armagh, a win was the desired outcome for both sides but a draw was probably a fair result.
Despite a strong wind at their back in the opening half, Armagh were quickly playing catch-up with a point from Ellen Gribbin followed by a goal drilled home from close range by Orlagh Nolan with just three minutes on the clock.
The Orchard County settled with Kelly Mallon getting them on the scoreboard with a fifth minute point and she added a second from a free following traded scores between Laura Grendon and Lauren McConville.
Brianna Mathers denied Dublin a second goal when she bravely came off her line and saved Grendon's effort, but Nolan stretched Dublin's lead again with a couple of converted frees to make it 1-4 to 0-3.
The hosts managed to go into the break with just the goal between the teams with points from Aoife McCoy, Mallon and Blaithin Mackin while a couple of Nolan frees gave Dublin a 1-6 to 0-6 half-time lead.
McConville opened the second half scoring with a beauty, using all of her power and speed, and Mallon added a free to reduce the deficit to one but a penalty converted by Nolan followed by a free, wiped those scores out putting Dublin 2-7 to 0-8 in front.
It was game on again however, when Mallon netted from the spot midway through the half and despite Dublin replying with three points in a row. Mallon nailed a second penalty and Mackin tagged on a point to square proceedings at 2-10 apiece to with four minutes left to play.
A frantic finish ensued with O'Hanlon pointing and Nolan doing likewise at the other end and when the hooter sounded the sides were tied at 2-11 each.
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