Galway 1-15
Derry 0-15
Michael Meehan inspired Galway to a deserved win over Derry at Pearse Stadium.
Ravaged by injuries for the past three years Meehan delivered a classy attacking display scoring 1-5 for Alan Mulholland’s charges.
Galway, with Michael Martin enterprising, led by 0-6 to 0-1 after 15 minutes, but then a youthful Derry side settled.
Brian McIver’s boys narrowed the deficit to two, but a brace of Meehan points had Galway 0-8 to 0-4 ahead at half-time.
Meehan pinched a 38th minute goal to extend Galway’s cushion, but Derry scored five of the next six points with PJ McCloskey and Eoin Bradley to the fore and suddenly they only trailed by the minimum.
Galway remained calm under pressure as four substitutes Gary O’Donnell, Eoin Concannon, Paul Conroy, and Mark Hehir all nailed points.
Scorers for Galway: Michael Meehan (1-5, 2fs), Michael Martin (0-3), Sean Armstrong (0-2), Danny Cummins (0-1), Gary O’Donnell (0-1), Mark Hehir (0-1), Eoin Concannon (0-1), Paul Conroy (0-1).
Scorers for Derry: PJ McCloskey (0-3), Eoin Bradley (0-3, 3fs), James Kielt (0-2), Enda Lynn (0-2), Ryan Bell (0-2, 1f), Patsy Bradley (0-1), Barry McGoldrick (0-1), Raymond Wilkinson (0-1).
GALWAY: Manus Breathnach; Joss Moore, Finian Hanley, Johnny Duane; Cathal Sweeney, Gary Sice, Gary Sweeney; Niall Coleman, Fiontan O’Curraoin; John O’Brien, Michael Martin, Sean Denvir; Sean Armstrong, Michael Meehan, Danny Cummins. Subs: Eoin Concannon for O’Brien (45 mins), Paul Conroy for Denvir (50 mins), Gary O’Donnell for C Sweeney (52 mins), Mark Hehir for Martin (64 mins).
DERRY: Eoin McNicholl; Ryan Ferris, Dermot McBride, Carlus McWilliams; Christy McKaigue, Mark Lynch, Sean Leo McGoldrick; Patsy Bradley, PJ McCloskey; Enda Lynn, Ryan Bell, Daniel Heavron; Colin Devlin, Eoin Bradley, James Kielt. Subs: Ger O’Kane for McWilliams (29 mins), Barry McGoldrick for P Bradley (44 mins), Raymond Wilkinson for Devlin (54 mins), Emmet McGuckin for Heavron (60 mins).
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).
Westmeath 0-16
Louth 2-09
There was no shortage of drama at Cusack Park, Mullingar as Westmeath staged a late rally to defeat Louth.
In an action packed clash referee Gary McCormack waved 18 yellow cards and a red to Westmeath’s Doran Harte in the 20th minute.
Harte’s dismissal was a factor as Louth hit first half goals from Adrian Reid and Colm Judge to lead 2-4 to 0-7 at the break.
Westmeath, though, summoned a passionate response with John Heslin and Callum McCormack spearheading the comeback.
Three late points from Heslin gave Westmeath a stirring victory and Louth were left reflecting on what might have been.
Scorers for Westmeath: Callum McCormack (0-5), John Heslin (0-5, 5fs), Denis Glennon (0-3), K Martin (0-2, 2fs), Dessie Dolan (0-1).
Scorers for Louth: Adrian Reid (1-1), Shane Lennon (0-4), Colm Judge (1-0), Jim McEnaney (0-2, 1f), Andy McDonnell (0-1), David Reid (0-1).
WESTMEATH: Gary Connaughton; M McCallon, Kieran Gavin, K Mcguire; M Curley, Paul Sharry, Doran Harte; Paul Bannon, John Heslin; Ger Egan, Callum McCormack, Kieran Martin; R Foley, James Dolan, Denis Glennon. Subs: Dessie Dolan for Bannon (42 mins), Denis Cooroon for Foley (61 mins), Damian Dolan for Curley (61 mins).
LOUTH: Neil Gallagher; Padraig Rath, Dessie Finnegan, John O’Brien; Ger Hoey, Derek Crilly, Adrian Reid; Ronan Carroll, Brian Donnelly; Andy McDonnell, Jim McEneaney, Conor Rafferty; Colm Judge, Shane Lennon, Kevin Rogers. Subs: David Reid for Judge (24 mins), Paddy Keenan for Carroll, Ray Finnegan for Rafferty, Gary O’Hare for Rath (all half-time), Padraic Smith for Rogers (59 mins).
Referee: G McCormack (Dublin).
Wexford 2-8
Longford 1-10
The latest offering in Wexford and Longford’s budding rivalry ended with a Model flourish at Wexford Park.
Last year they had a string of fascinates battles in League and Championship and this one was no different.
Longford made most of the early running with Seanie McCormack accurate and Robbie Smyth poking a goal.
Wexford, though, stayed defiant with a PJ Banville goal near the break a significant moment.
Ben Brosnan’s frees and a late Redmond Barry goal completed the Wexford comeback as Adrian O’Brien’s team won.
Scorers for Wexford: Ben Brosnan 0-6 (6fs), PJ Banville (1-0), Redmond Barry (1-0), Shane Roche (0-1, f), Adrian Flynn (0-1).
Scorers for Longford: Sean McCormack (0-4, 3fs), Robbie Smyth (1-0), Francis McGee (0-3), Michael Quinn (0-1, 45), Shane Mulligan (0-1), Donal McElliggot (0-1).
WEXFORD: Anthony Masterson; Brian Malone, Graeme Molloy, Robert Tierney; Aindreas Doyle, David Murphy, Adrian Flynn; Daithi Waters, Craig Doyle; Michael Furlong, Ben Brosnan, Paddy Byrne; Shane Roche, Redmond Barry, PJ Banville. Subs: Joey Wadding for Murphy (half-time), James Holmes for A Doyle (52 mins), Rory Quinlivan for C Doyle (60 mins), Conor Carty for Roche (66 mins), Kevin Gore for Barry (70).
LONGFORD: Damien Sheridan; Dermot Brady, Barry Gilleran, Peter Foy; Fergal Battrim, Michael Quinn, Shane Mulligan; Bernard McElvaney, Michael Brady; Padraig McCormack, Donal McElligott, Shane Doyle; Francis McGee, Robbie Smyth, Sean McCormack. Subs: Paul Kelly for Doyle (14 mins), Kevin Diffley for McElvaney (54), Aidan Rowan for Foy (66-68 mins).
Referee: C Lane (Cork).
