WINLESS DERRY ARE on the brink of Division 1 relegation after they were beaten by Monaghan.
Brian McIver’s side have managed just one point from five games and remain rooted to the foot of the table following an 0-15 to 0-10 defeat in Clones.
Conor McManus scored 0-6 and Dessie Mone added 0-4 for the hosts who moved up to third with their third win.
Their semi-final ambitions are very much alive ahead of a trip to face All-Ireland champions Kerry in a fortnight’s time.
Captain Mark Lynch finished with four frees for Derry, who had a goal disallowed with 10 minutes remaining for a square ball.
They face a trip to Croke Park on 28 March knowing that defeat against Dublin would seal their fate.
Meanwhile, Down cemented their promotion push with a 13-point win against Westmeath in Mullingar.
Arthur McConville and Donal O’Hare scored a goal apiece in the space of two second-half minutes to help the Ulster men to a 2-17 to 0-10 win.
They move three points clear at the top of Division 2 though Meath and Roscommon — who meet in Dr Hyde Park next Sunday — have both played a game less.
– First published 17.48, 15 March
