In Division 1A of the Allianz National Football League today, there were wins for Dublin, Cork, Roscommon and Donegal while Mayo, Fermanagh, Sligo and Down were victorious in Division 1B. Limerick maintain their status as the leaders in division 2A after an impressive 2-12 to 0-16 win over Munster champions Kerry. In Division 2B, Longford, Meath, Wexford and Tipperary all won today, but Wexford lead the group.
Division 1A
Dublin 3-13 1-16 Westmeath
Two Shane Ryan goals in the first half and another goal from a John McNally penalty sealed Dublin's victory at Parnell Park today. Dublin led 3-05 to 0-10 at the break but Weatmeath's goal early in the second half closed the gap to one point. However, Westmeath missed two great goal chances towards the end and that proved costly as Dublin won by three points
Galway 1-08 1-11 Cork
A goal and two points inside three minutes of the second half by dual star Diarmuid O'Sullivan dramatically turned the game in Cork's favour at Tuam today and from there until the finish, Larry Tompkins' team were the stronger side. Ironically, the Cork goal came just after Matthew Clancy had scored Galway's goal to give them a five-point lead. After O'Sullivan's 1-02 wiped out Galway's lead, Brendan Ger O'Sullivan scored the leading point for Cork. Galway, who led 0-4 to 0-3 at half-time, faded out of the game in the closing stages and not even the introduction of Michael Donnellan could get them going again.
Roscommon 1-15 2-11 Offaly
Roscommon edged a one-point victory over Offaly at Hyde Park today in a gripping finale. For the final 10 minutes, both sides wrestled the lead from each other with Nigel Dineen's winning point five minutes into extra time sending the home fans delirious with delight. Offaly looked set for a victory following Alan McNamee's crucial first-half goal to lead 1-5 to 0-7 at half-time with Stephen Lohan keeping Roscommon in the game. The Connacht champions took the lead early in the second half but Offaly were always threatening and when substitute Ryan crashed home their second goal in the 30th minute, five points separated the side. In an astonishing come-back, John Hanley scored a goal for Roscommon followed by two more home points to set up that nail-biting finish.
Donegal 1-10 0-11 Tyrone
Tyrone top the Division 1A table despite losing to Donegal today in a tight, tough game in Ballybofey. Level four times in the second half, Donegal led 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time with their goal tucked away by minor Christy Toye. Tyrone, without Peter Canavan who failed a late fitness test, held Donegal scoreless for 28 minutes of the second half. Stephen O'Neill, Eoin Mulligan and Ryan McMenamin levelled the game at 0-8 to 1-5 in a very exciting finish. Paul McLoughlin gave Tyrone the lead but points from Colm McFadden and Aidran Sweeney gave Roscommon a richly deserved if unexpected win.
Division 1B
Mayo 2-14 2-12 Cavan
Mayo remain top of the Division 1B Table following a win over Cavan today. Larry Reilly scored 1-1 in the opening 90 seconds for Cavan while in the 13th minute Conor Mortimer poached a Mayo goal after an interception. In the second half, a confident and eager Mayo team came from behind after Cavan led by three points at half-time. Mayo scored four points in the opening eight minutes of the second half against one for Cavan to level the teams. A Mayo goal by Stephen Carolan in the 12th minute of the second half was the deciding score of the game. Mayo led by five points at one stage but were reduced to 14 players when Trevor Mortimer was sent off. Cavan reduced the margin to one point but eventually lost by two.
Fermanagh 1-13 1-09 Kildare
Fermanagh pulled off a surprise win over Kildare at Brewster Park today. Fermanagh had a dream start when replacement Raymond Gallagher scored a goal after only 58 seconds. Two further points from Colm Bradley and Gallagher left Fermanagh in the driving seat as Kildare struggled to compete with the lively Ulster men. Kildare then scored a goal when substitute David Jordan drove the ball to the roof of the Fermanagh net. But this had little effect on Fermanagh who went on to lead 1-8 to 1-4 at the break. In the second half, Kildare raised the tempo of the game and reduced the deficit to a single point by the 46th minute with a point from Killian Brennan and two from Leonard Donlon. However this was as close as Kildare could get with the Gallaghers scoring points for Fermanagh to ensure that they picked up two more League points.
Derry 1-10 0-14 Sligo
Sligo came away from Celtic Park in Derry with their first victory against Derry in 29 years while Derry remain pointless in the League so far this year. Early scores from Dessie Sloyan and Eamon O'Hara saw Sligo lead for 15 minutes before Johnny McBride and Gavin Diamond brought the home side back to parity. It was Sloyan's accuracy from frees and play with four scores from his boot to add to his side's 0-7 to 0-6 lead at the break. Geoffrey McGonagle brought Derry into the tie three minutes after the restart with a fisted goal and a further two points from play. But it was grit and determination from the visitors and five scores from full-forward Gerry McGowan that won Sligo the day. Putting behind him a disallowed fisted goal, he scored the winning point from a 45 three minutes into injury time.
Down 2-11 0-09 Clare
A convincing win for Down despite the absence of the Mayobridge contingent for the game with Clare. Clare's problems were in attack with only Paul Hehir and David Russell of the starting forwards got their name on the scoresheet. By contrast, all Down's forwards scored and none were more impressive than Aidan O'Crea who scored both goals. The first came after 15 minutes and it helped Down to settle. Thereafter they were never troubled. Clare scored four points towards the end without reply to put some gloss on a disappointing afternoon.
Division 2A Results:
Antrim 3-12 1-11 Armagh
Leitrim 0-13 1-10 Louth
Wicklow 2-21 1-01 London
Limerick 2-12 0-16 Kerry
Division 2B Results:
Longford 1-12 0-11 Monaghan
Meath 3-11 0-06 Waterford
Wexford 2-19 2-12 Laois
Carlow 0-12 1-11 Tipperary
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
