National Football League
Tyrone, Dublin and Cavan were the big winners in Division 1 of the NFL.
Match reports are here.
Division 1A
Dublin 2-10 Donegal 0-14
All-new Dublin have got the Tommy Lyons era off to a winning start at Parnell Park, playing well on their way to a two point win over Donegal. The Ulster side looked the more settled team on paper, but Dublin’s rookies set about their task with relish and held a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the break. Paul Casey opened the scoring for the home side inside a minute, and another newcomer, Alan Brogan, got on the scoresheet as well. At the other end, Brendan Devenney was proving a slippery customer in the damp conditions, the Eunan’s man firing all his side’s first half scores. In the second half, Brogan nipped in for a goal after a great move, as Dublin, playing mostly positive, direct football with a notable absence of hand-passing, got on top of Donegal. Ray Cosgrove tacked on another point soon after to leave it 1-8 to 0-6, suddenly putting the first real daylight between the sides. In the 55th minute, Johnny Magee nipped in for another goal to delight the large attendance, who had anxiously watched Donegal score 0-4 and close to within two points. Pick of these was a superb effort from Brendan Devenney. However, Dublin fought back with the goal, followed by a great score of their own from Coman Goggins. Alan Brogan had the last say to seal a deserved two-point win and finish with 1-3 to his credit.
Galway 0-9 Tyrone 1-8
The Ulster champions have come to the home of the Sam Maguire holders and sneaked off with a brace of league points, after an entertaining game in difficult conditions. It was nip and tuck most of the way through, despite Stephen O’Neill giving the Ulstermen a clear advantage with an early goal. Kieran Comer and Gerard Cavlan swapped scores as a low-scoring half wore on, with Galway having a good goal effort from Derek Savage saved by Peter Ward, who blocked the rebound that fell to Tommy Joyce as well. Galway made a good start to the second half, levelling from a Comer free before the same player registered from play to secure a one-point lead. Stephen O’Neill pointed at the other end to level the scores, though and Brian Dooher scored a good point as time ticked away. Stephen O’Neill had another goal effort touched onto the crossbar, and although Galway piled on the pressure in the closing stages, they couldn’t find the scores to force at least a draw. Kevin Walsh was introduced and played well, providing a good platform.
Division 1B
Kildare 0-12 Sligo 0-12
Kildare failed to gain a measure of revenge for last year’s qualifier defeat at Croke Park when they were nabbed by a late equaliser at Newbridge. In an open, sporting encounter, Tadhg Fennin, as scorer and creator, and Gerry McGowan were the most impressive attackers. Kildare were 0-6 to 0-2 up at one stage, and Sligo looked in real bother, but McGowan rifled over three points in seven minutes to bring the Yeats men back into it. Sligo actually moved one ahead 26 minutes into the second half, but then they didn’t score for another 13 minutes allowing Colm O’Reilly and Derek McCormack to put Kildare 0-12 to 0-11 up. Three good chances were spurned in this period, but finally, Gerry McGowan slotted over a free three minutes into injury time. He then missed a chance to nick a winner.
Derry 1-10 Cavan 1-15
Cavan have finally laid their Derry bogey to rest, getting a monkey of their backs, that was rapidly growing into a gorilla, by securing their first victory over the Oak Leafers since 1997. The Breffnimen were 1-6 to 1-3 up at half-time, a statistic made all the more impressive as the blues were playing against the breeze. David O’Neill had sneaked in for the Derry goal after Barry McCrudden had given the visitors the lead, but Jason Reilly proved to be the Cavan talisman once again when he immediately sent to the net at the other end after a pass from Paul Galligan. Mickey Graham pulled a good save out of the Derry goalie, as Cavan continued to play the better football in their first competitive game under Mattie Kerrigan. Debutantes, Eamon Reilly and Colm Hannon were playing soundly in defence while the blues were on top at midfield also. In the second half, Cavan made good use of the breeze and supplied a lot of ball to their forwards. Mickey Graham finished with 0-3 to his credit in what was a very encouraging performance for the blues overall. Anthony Forde gave a man-of-the-match performance at centre-back, while Pearse McKenna and Cathal Collins controlled midfield.
Mayo 0-10 Down 0-5
Down failed to add to last weekend’s win over Fermanagh when they ran aground against the league champions, Mayo. A grim first half was followed by a much brighter second, and many more quality scores. Down were well in the game until Kevin McGrath was sent off, but seemed to lack penetration up front after his departure. Shane King, star of last week, was kept very quiet by the Mayo defence. At the other end of the field, Conor Mortimer impressed with some long range points, as did Marty McNicholas and James Gill. Mayo were full value for their win after a dominant second half-display allowed them to pull clear from their previously dogged opponents.
Fermanagh 1-14 Clare 1-8
Clare battled well and briefly threatened an upset in this game, but the introduction of hot-shot forward, Raymond Gallagher, proved too much for the Bannermen to handle. Clare were two points up when Dominic Corrigan introduced a raft of second-half subs, Gallagher among them. His influence on the game was dramatic as he fired over four superb points from distance and a variety of angles. The ace attacker missed last season with injury and was sorely missed, and this game underlined why. The Brewster brothers also chipped in with good performances in what was a slightly nervy display overall at a boggy Enniskillen venue. First league points will be welcomed, whatever the performance, however.
Division 2 round-up
Elsewhere in the league, Louth strolled to a 2-19 to 0-1 win over London at Castlebellingham in a one-sided affair. A Mark Stanfield penalty and another JP Rooney goal inside the first ten minutes set Louth on their way.
Meanwhile, Tipp’s hurling goalie, Brendan Cummins, showed his prowess with the big ball by shooting 0-9, 0-3 from play, in the 1-17 to 1-10 win over Waterford. The Deise were winning by a point at half-time.
At Dr. Cullen Park, a late Carlow rally just fell short of reward when they went down by a point to Monaghan, 1-7 to 0-11. A goal from sub Gavin Walker with ten minutes left sparked the home challenge.
In nearby Wexford, John Hegarty broke Longford hearts with a goal three minutes from time to set up a 2-10 to 2-9 win. Paul Barden and Liam Keenan were sent off for Longford, while Pat Forde was dismissed for Wexford.
Elsewhere, Armagh and Kerry kept their promotion hopes on track with wins in Leitrim and Wicklow. Kerry had just a one point lead at half-time against the Ridge county, but pulled away to win 2-12 to 0-9 by the finish. Armagh were 2-7 to 0-5 up at the break in Wicklow, but were reeled in during the second half and it finished 0-13 to 2-10. Finally, Meath were beaten 0-12 to 0-9 at home to Laois.
Full results:
Division 1A Cork v Offaly postponed Dublin 2-10 Donegal 0-14 2.00 Galway 0-9 Tyrone 1-8 Roscommon v Westmeath postponed
Division 1B Derry 1-10 Cavan 1-15 1.00 Fermanagh 1-14 Clare 1-8 Mayo 0-10 Down 0-5 Kildare 0-12 Sligo 0-12
Division 2A Louth 2-19 London 0-1 Antrim 1-11 Limerick 2-11 Leitrim 0-9 Kerry 2-12 Wicklow 0-13 Armagh 2-10
Division 2B Tipperary 1-17 Waterford 1-10 Wexford 2-10 Longford 2-9 Carlow 1-7 Monaghan 0-11 Meath 0-9 Laois 0-12
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