MONAGHAN and Meath are set for a quick return to Division 2 after both claimed the promotion spots in Division 3 this afternoon.
The pair were both relegated from the second tier last year but they ensured their spell at the third level only lasted a season after they both triumphed today.
Monaghan were 3-16 to 0-13 victors over Antrim in Clones while Meath defeated Fermanagh in Navan by 2-12 to 0-14.
The results meant they both finished on ten points while Fermanagh, who had started the day on nine points and were top of the table, missed out on promotion.
Monaghan proved too strong for the Saffron county on home soil and in the process ensured Frank Dawson’s Antrim side will drop to Division 4 next season.
Malachy O’Rourke’s side got off to a bright start with Christopher McGuinness firing home an early goal and Kieran Hughes added a second before the break to leave them ahead by 2-9 to 0-7.
The third Monaghan goal arrived from Darren Hughes in the second-half. Conor McManus fired five points for the Farney men while eight points from Paddy Cunningham helped Antrim keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Meath came from behind in Navan to claim a four-point win and thus overtake Peter Canavan’s side in the race for promotion.
Tommy McElroy and Paul Ward were amongst their point-scorers in the early stages as they lead by 0-7 to 0-3 at one juncture but a Mickey Newman goal from the penalty spot for Meath ensured the teams were tied at 1-5 to 0-8 at the break.
Fermanagh moved ahead again in the second-half but then suffered setbacks when Tomas Corrigan missed a penalty and Declan McCusker was sent-off.
Meath capitalised with Paddy Gilsenan firing home their second goal and they ran out four-point winners.
The victories for the Farney and the Royals meant Roscommon failed to claim promotion despite running out 2-14 to 1-7 victors against Cavan. John Evans side charged into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead before Martin Dunne tucked the ball to the net from the penalty spot for Cavan.
But Roscommon then took over and lead by 1-7 to 1-3 at the interval with David O’Gara getting their goal. O’Gara raised his second green flag of the game after the interval with Donie Smith also notching some impressive points.
Meanwhile Sligo claimed a 1-12 to 0-11 victory over Wicklow in Markievicz Park to preserve their Division 3 status. In the process the Garden county were relegated with Pat Hughes grabbing the only goal of the game for the Yeats county in the opening period.
