National Football League Division 1
Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 Dublin seemed to have this one wrapped up early on at Croke Park yesterday, Diarmuid Connolly’s seven-minute hat-trick giving them a 4-4 to 0-2 lead after 23 minutes. Some careless defending in the middle third of the game allowed Mayo to rack up a cricket score of their own but, in the end, the Dubs had just enough in the tank to prevail by five.
Armagh 1-9 Kerry 1-13 Kerry welcomed back the experienced heads of Paul Galvin and Declan O’Sullivan for yesterday’s game at the Armagh Athletic Grounds, the duo helping Jack O’Connor’s side to weather an Armagh comeback in the second period. Darran O’Sullivan’s goal proved to be key in the end for the Kingdom, the half-forward latching on to his namesake’s pass to convert in the 57th minute.
Galway 0-13 Cork 0-16 Galway still find themslves rooted to the bottom of Division 1 after Cork condemned them to their fifth league defeat in as many games. Though they held a slender two-point advantage after the opening 35, Tomás Ó Flathartha’s side succumbed in the second period, allowing a below-par Cork to steal a three-point win.
Down 1-16 Monaghan 0-11 Down’s Marty Clarke was in inspirational form in Newry on Saturday evening, converting a second-half penalty and adding four more points as Down convincingly saw off Monaghan.
National Football League Division 2
Kildare 1-14 Meath 1-12 Tempers frayed at the end of yesterday’s Division 2 game in Newbridge with Kildare boss Kieran McGeeney and Meath manager Seamus “Banty” McEnaney exchanging heated words after the final whistle. The outcome of the game went right down to the wire with the Lilywhites proving to have just enough in hand to keep their dream of promotion alive.
Derry 2-12 Donegal 2-18 Donegal extended their unbeaten run at Celtic Park with Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden combining for a total of 2-10. A goal either side of the break from Derry forward Cailean O’Boyle kept John Brennan’s men in touch but the performance of Donegal’s sharpshooters ultimately proved to be the difference.
Laois 0-11 Tyrone 1-12 Tyrone stayed in touch at the top end of Division 2 with a four-point win over fellow promotion hopefuls Laois. Colm Kavanagh’s 15th-minute goal proved to be key as the Ulstermen recorded their third successive victory.
Antrim 1-11 Sligo 2-18 Struggling Sligo hauled themselves off the bottom of the table with a ten-point win over Armagh at Casement Park, Brian Curran and Eamonn O’Hara raising the green flag for Kevin Walsh’s side.
National Football League Division 3
Wexford 1-14 Cavan 2-9 Wexford opened up a two-point advantage at the top of Division 3, hanging on for a two-point victory over Cavan in Wexford Park yesterday. A second-half brace from Michael Lyng threatened to ignite a memorable comeback for Cavan only for Wexford netminder Anthony Masterson to keep them at bay.
Louth 1-11 Limerick 1-14 Peter Fitzpatrick’s Louth failed to press home the advantage offered by Wexford’s loss, falling to their second successive defeat of the campaign. Pa Ranahan’s 55th-minute goal changed the course of a tight game, helping Limerick to only their second win of the season.
Offaly 0-13 Tipperary 1-11 Offaly’s promotion prospects also took an unexpected dent yesterday as they lost by a single-score to Tipperary in Tullamore, Brian Mulvihill grabbing the goal which made all the difference in the end.
Other Results: Westmeath 1-19 Waterford 1-14
National Football League Division 4
Kilkenny 1-5 Wicklow 4-16 A Tony Hannon hat-trick gave Wicklow an important win over bottom side Kilkenny, keeping their hopes of promotion alive ahead of next weekend’s clash against Roscommon.
Clare 1-10 Roscommon 0-16 Roscommon kept their own promotion charge alive with a three-point win over Clare at Cusack Park yesterday. Donie Shine led the scoring with a nine-point tally, seven of which came from frees.
Other Results: Letrim 0-11 Fermanagh 0-10
