Lidl NFL: Armagh Defeats Kildare in Division 1

Armagh secured their first win of the Lidl National Football League Division 1 campaign with a 0-13 to 0-9 victory over Kildare on Sunday at Hawkfield. Kelly Mallon starred for the Orchard County, converting five pointed frees to lead last year's All-Ireland finalists to revenge against the team that eliminated them from the 2024 championship.

Kildare started strongly, taking four of the first five points through Alannah Prizeman with two, Ciara Wheeler, and Lisa Shaw, while Lauren McConville replied for Armagh. The Ulster side then dominated, with Mallon adding three more, alongside scores from Catherine Marley, Aoife McCoy, and Maeve Lennon, to lead 0-7 to 0-4 at halftime. After the break, Lara Marsden extended Armagh's advantage, but Kildare responded with points from Aoife Rattigan, Prizeman, and Molly Aspell, narrowing the gap to one. Armagh pulled away again as McConville, Mallon, and Emily Druse combined for crucial scores, despite Prizeman's late frees bringing her personal tally to five.

Kildare manager Pat Sullivan attributed the loss to fatigue following their opening draw with Cork. "We put a lot into last week," Sullivan said. "Maybe there was a bit of a hangover."