Mackin hat-trick helps Armagh to victory over Cork

Aimee Mackin scored a first-half hat-trick which helped Armagh get their LGFA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Group One campaign off to a flying start with a 4-10 to 1-9 win over Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn.

The goals helped the Ulster champions into an eight-point lead at the break and although Cork halved that deficit entering the home straight, Armagh had an answer to claim the points.

Armagh couldn't have wished for a better start as after Aoife McCoy opened the scoring, Aimee Mackin was in for the first of her three first-half goals.

Mackin added a point before Cork rallied with three points on the spin - two from Aine O'Sullivan - but the Orchard would enjoy a purple parch midway through the half.

After a McCoy point, Mackin scored two goals in the space of a minute with Kelly Mallon also slinging over a score, and while Cork steadied with scores through Emma Cleary and O'Sullivan, Armagh enjoyed a 3-4 to 0-5 lead at the half.

Cork enjoyed a good start to the second period with three of the opening four scores to reduce the gap to six, but points by Cassie Henderson and Mallon restored the eight-point margin entering the final quarter.

A Leah Hallihan goal helped Cork back to within four as the Rebels threatened a late comeback, but a two-pointer by Blaithin Mackin saw Armagh respond, with a point by Henderson and goal by Caoimhe McNally putting the issue beyond doubt.