A HAT-TRICK OF goals from Diarmuid Connolly, in addition to one from Tomas Quinn, helped Dublin gain a comprehensive 4-17 to 1-10 victory over Armagh today.
The game looked over by half time, with the Dubs leading 3-07 to 0-05, and though Armagh improved slightly in the second half, the outcome never really looked in doubt thereafter.
Dublin’s fellow 2011 All-Ireland finalists Kerry also secured an impressive victory, beating Donegal 2-16 to 1-08 in Fitzgerald Stadium.
Goals from Patrick Curtin and Bryan Sheehan enabled Kerry to establish a significant lead, ensuring Michael Murphy’s penalty ultimately made little difference to the game, as the Kingdom ran out comfortable winners.
The day’s other Division 1 encounter was a somewhat tighter affair, with Down overcoming Mayo by 1-13 to 0-11.
The visitors had a four-point advantage at half time, thanks to a goal from Conor Maginn. And following a red card for Aidan O’Shea, points from Aidan Carr and Danny Hughes sealed Down’s victory.
Elsewhere, in Division 2, goals from Johnny Doyle and Alan Smith helped Kildare to a win over Derry. The Ulstermen also found the back of the net twice through Sean Leo McGoldrick and Cailean O’Boyle, though Kildare ultimately held out for the win.
In a game that featured probably the most enthralling climax of the day, an injury time score from Paul Conroy saw Galway pip Meath by a single point. The teams’ respective goals came from Conway and Joe Sheridan.
Finally, a goal from Chris McGuinness gave Monaghan a 1-10 to 0-10 half-time lead over Louth.
However, a Darren Hughes own goal threatened to derail their hopes of victory, before Hughes compensated for his mishap by scoring a late penalty that all but confirmed his side’s win.
Here are this afternoon’s results in full:
Allianz Football League Division 1Dublin 4-17 Armagh 1-10
Kerry 2-16 Donegal 1-08
Mayo 0-11 Down 1-13
Allianz Football League Division 2
Monaghan 2-24 Louth 1-15
Galway 1-12 Meath 1-11
Kildare 2-13 Derry 2-08
Allianz Football League Division 3
Offaly 2-05 Wexford 1-21
Sligo 1-05 Longford 1-13
Roscommon 1-10 Antrim 1-06
Tipperary 0-14 Cavan 4-10
Allianz Football League Division 4
Fermanagh 0-11 Wicklow 0-09
Carlow 0-14 Clare 1-12
Leitrim 1-10 London 0-08
