ROSCOMMON CLINCHED PROMOTION in style as they romped to an 18-point win against Offaly in Dr Hyde Park this afternoon.
And Cavan made sure that they will be joining them in Division 2 next season by beating Longford.
Elsewhere Fermanagh and Wexford gave their survival hopes a significant boost with wins win against Limerick and Sligo respectively.
That leaves five teams tied on four points apiece ahead of the final rounds of games but Roscommon and Cavan have already streaked clear as they extended their 100% records.
Teenage star Diarmuid Murtagh and Cathal Cregg scored a goal apiece as Roscommon assumed control nice and early, leading 2-8 to 1-3 at the break.
And by the time Cregg added his second in the 46th minute, the Rossies led 3-14 to 2-3 and the result was out of sight.
It was a little bit more nervy for Cavan who can look back on Martin Dunne’s second-half penalty as the moment that tipped the match in their favour.
They trailed 0-6 to 0-4 at the break but got their noses in front when Dunne converted on 44 minutes, leaving them 1-5 to 0-6 ahead.
Both sides were reduced to 14 men in the second half, Cavan’s Turlough Mooney sent off for a second yellow before Longford’s Colm P Smyth was also given his marching orders.
Niall McDermott’s point put the visitors five up with 10 to play but they had to weather a determined rally from Longford who finished with three unanswered points before running out of time.
Tomás Corrigan finished with 0-10 as Fermanagh beat Limerick by nine points in Newcastlewest.
And goals from Michael O’Regan and Ben Brosnan proved just enough to Wexford a three-point win at home to Sligo.
National Football League Division 3 results
- Limerick 1-6 Fermanagh 0-18
- Longford 0-10 Cavan 1-9
- Roscommon 3-19 Offaly 2-4
- Wexford 2-12 Sligo 1-12
