Big day of results across all four tiers
The penultimate day of the Allianz football league was one full of incident with many unexpected results across the various divisions. The picture for promotion and relegation is also much clearer after this afternoon.
The early game in today’s Division one action saw Mayo take on Cork on Leeside and the Connacht champions enjoyed a very profitable first half. Cork got the early advantage after Colm O’Neill assisted Mark Collins for a goal after nine minutes, but Mayo then dominated the rest of the half to lead 0-7 to 1-2 approaching half time.Cork got the half’s final score to leave a point in it at the break.
The home side started the second half brightly but Mayo were able to tack on some scores of their own and looked set for a famous win when leading by 0-12 to 1-7 entering the final three minutes. But the home side fashioned a goal chance through Conor Dornan and Brian Hurley found the net to stun the visitors and leave the game at 2-7 to 0-12.
Elsewhere in Division One and in the grudge match of the weekend Donegal got the better of their rivals Tyrone by 1-13 to 0-6 in Ballybofey
Donegal looked the stronger side throughout the opening half and Ryan McHugh’s goal just before the break left the home crowd happy to see their side in with a 1-9 to 0-3 advantage. Michael Murphy grabbing 0-5 alone in the first half as Tyrone’s defensive system came apart at the seams. There was no let up after the break as Donegal stood on the throat of Mickey Harte’s side to ease their relegation fears with a ten-point win.
Kerry’s hopes of reaching the latter stages of the league took a severe denting with a 1-11 to 0-10 loss to Monaghan in Tralee. The Kingdom led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break but an Owen Duffy goal after half time rocked Eamon Fitzmaurice’s side who played the second 35 against the very strong breeze in Austin Stack Park. They missed a number of chances as Monaghan played smart football to frustrate the Kingdom and run out winners by four points
In Division Two Galway struck a major blow to Roscommon’s promotion hopes with a comeback win against their near neighbours by 1-14 to 1-10.
John Evans side led by 1-8 to 0-6 at the break but in difficult weather conditions they found Galway a much tougher proposition in the second half. Damien Comer’s goal 10 minutes after the restart proved key to the Tribesmen’s victory as Peadar Og O Griofa scored six points for Kevin Walsh’s side.
In Division Three and the race for promotion is done and dusted after today’s action. Fermanagh have joined Armagh in sealing their ascension into the heaven that is Division two with a 1-12 to 0-7 win over Wexford.
The other sides were left to try and avoid the relegation dogfight with Limerick edging Clare by 2-10 to 1-5 and Tipperary and Sligo ended with a home win in Thurles by 0-15 to 0-13.
In Division Four in the top of the table clash Longford saw off Offaly by 0-13 to 0-9 to secure their promotion from the basement division. Offaly had the advantage at the break as they led by 0-7 to 0-6 but a strong second half saw the home side gain promotion and a place in the league finale.
London scored 5-6 against Waterford but unfortunately for them conceded 2-15 to miss out on a morale boosting win in Ruislip. Antrim beat Wicklow by 1-10 to 0-12 to secure their fourth win in a row in the basement tier as Wicklow led 0-6 to 0-5 at the break-the game winning goal from CJ McGourty. The win means that Antrim have a chance to gain promotion next week if results go their way
Carlow also suffered a loss to Leitrim in Netwatch Cullen park by 1-12 to 0-6.
