Armagh through to All-Ireland semi-finals

Armagh are through to the last four of the LGFA All-Ireland Championship with a 3-9 to 1-12 win over Kildare in Saturday's quarter-final at the Athletic Grounds.

Aimee Mackin top-scored with 2-3, while Kelly Mallon also hit the net for the Orchard women who are now one win away from a first final appearance since 2006.

Kildare made the better start with four of the opening five points - two from Aoife Rattigan with Nanci Murray and Alannah Prizeman also on target - with Mackin getting Armagh on the board.

The gap was down to one thanks to Emily Druse and Mallon from a free, but an exchange of points kept the Lilywhites in front five minutes before the break.

Armagh would enjoy an excellent run to the break as after Blaithin Mackin pointed, the hosts again disrupted the Kildare kick-out with Mackin setting up sister Aimee for the first of her goals.

A second Aimee Mackin would soon follow after swapping passes with Mallon and while Rattigan found a response with a Kildare point, it was Armagh holding a 2-5 to 0-6 lead at the break.

The sides swapped points early in the second period but Kildare remained in the hunt with Lara Curran trimming the gap back to four.

That remained the gap heading into the final quarter when Armagh kicked for home as Mallon read a dropping Aimee Mackin shot to punch home her side's third goal.

Kildare would hit back immediately as Prizeman found the net to bring her side back into contention and they would pass up a big opportunity for another goal as Molly Aspell was off target.

Lisa Shaw brought the gap back to three, but points from Roisin Mulligan and Caroline O'Hanlon gave Armagh breathing space as late scores from Abaigh Cahill and Ruth Sargent proved consolation for Kildare.

In Saturday's senior relegation semi-finals, Donegal came through in extra-time to defeat Waterford 2-11 to 1-12, while Tyrone also secured their top-flight status with a 0-16 to 1-9 win over Tipperary.