Westmeath 0-17

Armagh 0-16

There was no shortage of drama at Cusack Park, Mullingar as Westmeath secured promotion with a hard earned victory over Armagh.

Despite trailing by 0-10 to 0-5 at the break Westmeath responded making use out of the wind after the restart.

In a hectic finale John Heslin landed the winning point, but Pat Flanagan’s side had to endure some anxious moments late on.

Aaron Kernan missed a free for Armagh and Westmeath held out for a satisfying success which means that they will play in the top tier next year for the first time since 2009.

Before the campaign Flanagan insisted that Westmeath could launch a promotion bid and that is precisely what they have achieved.

Galway 1-16
Wexford 0-11

Galway scored 1-6 without reply in the closing stages to secure a crucial triumph over Wexford at Pearse Stadium.

Alan Mulholland’s side trailed 0-11 to 0-10 in the 58th minute, but they roared back into the game.

Gary Sice’s goal in the 60th minute was the critical moment and Wexford failed to recover.

It was an utterly frustrating and disappointing end for Wexford, who had Galway in loads of trouble early on even though the Tribesmen had the wind at their backs.

Shane Roche and PJ Banville were Galway’s chief tormentors, but an improvement towards the interval allowed the Corribsiders go in 0-7 to 0-6 ahead at the turnaround.

Galway battled well in the third quarter, but they still trailed entering the final 12 minutes, but Sice’s excellent goal proved to be game changing.

Scorers for Galway: Sean Armstrong 0-5 (4fs), Gary Sice 1-0, Danny Cummins 0-3, Michael Martin 0-3 (1f), M Meehan 0-2, (1f), Paul Conroy (0-1), Gareth Bradshaw (0-1), Conor Doherty (0-1).

Scorers for Wexford: Shane Roche 0-4 (1f), PJ Banville 0-3, Ben Brosnan (0-2, 2fs), Redmond Barry 0-1, Adrian Flynn 0-1.

Laois 0-9
Longford 0-6

Laois overcame a woeful opening period to beat Longford at the end of a grim game at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

Longford had been lively initially and led by 0-4 to 0-1 at the interval as Laois struggled to attain any kind of attacking fluency.

But Justin McNulty’s charges were much improved after the restart as Kevin Meaney and Ross Munnelly’s influence increased.

Laois held on despite a bit of late pressure from the locals, who make an instant return to Division Three.

Scorers for Laois: Kevin Meaney 0-2, Ross Munnelly 0-2 (1f), Colm Kelly 0-2 (1f), MJ Tierney 0-1, Donie Kingston 0-1, Gary Walsh 0-1.

Scorers for Longford: Seanie McCormack 0-3 (2fs), Donal McElligott 0-2, Francis McGee 0-1.

Derry 2-14
Louth 1-12

Drogheda hosted a lively tussle that was decided by goals from Lee Kennedy and Benny Hernon.

An injury time goal from Hernon sealed the issue as Derry pounced for 1-2 without reply to claim victory.

Derry were ahead 1-9 to 1-4 at the break as Louth’s Shane Lennon and Kennedy traded goals.

In the second period Louth were resilient and drew level, but an Eoin Bradley free gave Derry a lead they didn’t subsequently relinquish.