TIPPERARY hurlers suffered a devastating pre-championship blow yesterday when Paul Kelly suffered a broken ankle on club duty with Mullinahone. Kelly sustained the injury during the first half of his club’s 2-18 to 0-10 South SHC victory against Ballybacon/Grange. LAOIS snatched a dramatic injury-time victory to qualify for the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL Division One semi-finals, and relegate Dublin. Olwyn Farrell’s stoppage-time goal secured a 2-10 to 2-8 victory. In Division Two, Stephanie O’Reilly scored a late winning goal to relegate Clare and ensure Sligo stay up.

KERRY defeated Derry 2-12 to 1-7 in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A final on Saturday. Goals from substitutes James Flaherty and James McCarthy proved vital. In the Division 4 final, Monaghan beat Longford 1-18 to 1-10 in Breffni Park.