Welcome to The42‘s coverage of today’s Allianz Football League games. Kevin O’Brien here taking you through all the action.
Here’s a quick look at the fixtures up for decision today:
Allianz Football League
Division 1
Roscommon v Down, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm
Kerry v Donegal, Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 2.30pm, (TG4 Live)
Monaghan v Mayo, Clones, 2.30pm
Division 2
Fermanagh v Laois, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 2pm
Galway v Meath, Pearse Stadium, Salthill, 2pm
Division 3
Tipperary v Offaly, Semple Stadium, 12.45pm
Kildare v Limerick, St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 1.30pm
Clare v Westmeath, Cusack Park, Ennis, 2pm
Sligo v Longford, Markievicz Park, 2.30pm
Division 4
London v Antrim, Irish TV Grounds, Ruislip, 1pm
Leitrim v Louth, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2pm
Wicklow v Carlow, Aughrim, 2.30pm
We have one latest score for you from Division 3:
Half-time – Tipperary 2-8 Offaly 0-5
Here’s a quick check on the Kerry and Donegal teams before the 2.30pm throw-in:
Michael Murphy and his Donegal team inspected the field in Austin Stack Park, Tralee at half-time of the Kerry-Wexford hurling curtain raiser.
And here are the starting teams for the Division 1 clash in Clones between Mayo and Monaghan:
Throw in is at 2.30pm.
Keep an eye out for Paul Murphy today. The Rathmore man is named to start at centre-forward for Kerry after an exceptional performance against Down last weekend.
But Eamon Fitzmaurice might well use him to track rampaging Donegal wing-back Ryan McHugh.
Here’s a reminder of how last night’s football games unfolded:
- In Division 1, a late James McCarthy goal handed Dublin a four point win over an improved Cork side.
- Seanie Johnston returned to haunt former boss Kieran McGeeney as Cavan handed Armagh a 17-point trimming.
Half-time – Kildare 1-4 Limerick 0-5
Niall Kelly with the Kildare goal, they lead by two at the break.
Roscommon 0-1 Down 0-2
8 mins – Ciaran Murtagh pops over a free to get the Rossies off the mark.
Roscommon 0-2 Down 0-2
9 mins – Murtagh doubles his tally with another placed ball
Mayo have arrived onto the field for their warmup.
We have three late changes to the Mayo starting lineup today.
Michael Hall is in for Cathal Barrett
Seamus O’Shea starts instead of Jason Gibbons
Conor Loftus replaces Jason Doherty
Roscommon 0-3 Down 0-2
14 mins – Captain Ciaran Murtagh kicks his third score to send Roscommon in front for the first time
A couple of late changes to let you know about in Tralee.
Eamon McGee and Frank McGlynn don’t start for Donegal. Eoghan Gallagher and Eoin McHugh replace them.
Kerry start as selected.
St Mary’s forward Denis Daly makes his league debut for the Kingdom.
Roscommon 0-6 Down 0-2
The Rossies are starting to motor. Fintan Cregg scores twice in the space of a couple of minutes
Karl Lacey and Neil Gallagher completed a full warm-up for Donegal this afternoon but Rory Gallagher says they’re not in contention to play.
Monaghan will start against Mayo as selected.
Two minutes from throw-in in Clones.
Into the last ten minutes of the first-half in Longford, Roscommon lead by four.
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-0
2 mins – Donnacha Walsh fists over the bar to give Kerry the lead. Great crossfield ball by Darran O’Sullivan.
GOAL! Mickey Newman for Meath, they’re now in front 1-6 to 0-2 against Galway in their Division 2 game.
Tensions are high early on in Tralee. Several players involved in incidents around the field.
Alan Fitzgerald has been sent off for Kerry after 6 mins for striking Eamon McGee.
Kerry 0-3 Donegal 0-1
10 mins – 14 man Kerry are two in front thanks to Donnchadh Walsh’s second point of the day
More information on Aidan O’Shea’s red card:
Division 2 FL
Fermanagh ahead of Laois 1-10 to 0-4 at the break thanks to a 1-8 haul from Tomas Corrigan. In Salthill, it’s 1-8 to 0-2 in favour of Meath against Galway.
GOAL! Conor McManus finds the net for Monaghan on 11 minutes. His penalty was saved but he tapped in the rebound.
Monaghan 1-2 Mayo 0-2
GOAL! Mayo reply immediately with a goal of their own. Conor Loftus with a cracking finish.
Monaghan 1-2 Mayo 1-2
Monaghan 1-4 Mayo 1-2
16 mins – Scores from Kerr and McManus (free) pushes Monaghan back in front.
Kerry 0-5 Donegal 0-2
20 mins – Michael Murphy yellow carded for fouling Stephen O’Brien. Bryan Sheehan slots over the resultant free.
Kerry 0-6 Donegal 0-2
22 mins – Another free by Sheehan. Kerry have a strong wind at their backs.
Two black cards! Kerry’s Shane Enright and Denis Daly sent to the sidelines within seconds of one another. 24 mins gone.
Roscommon 0-8 Down 0-4
36 mins – The second half is underway in Longford. Fintan Cregg from play
Kerry 0-7 Donegal 0-2
Colm Cooper enters the fray for Kerry. Padraig O’Connor is also introduced.
Sheehan points another free for the home side.
16 minutes since Donegal’s last score. They’ve struggled going forward so far today.
Division 2 FL latest:
Fermanagh 1-10 to 0-4 clear of Laois while it’s Meath 1-8 Galway 0-4.
Kilkenny 0-15 Galway 0-6
43 mins – A pair of points for TJ Reid and Kilkenny have a nine-point cushion.
Monaghan 1-5 Mayo 1-5
28 mins – Evan Regan converts another free for Mayo to level matters up.
An interesting take on today’s game in Tralee…
Roscommon 0-9 Down 0-5
47 mins – Down are still well in this. Barry O’Hagan points to bring them within four.
Half-time – Monaghan 1-5 Mayo 1-6
Evan Regan has been showing well for Mayo. He pointed again just before the half-time whistle.
50 mins – Roscommon 0-10 Down 0-5
Senan Kilbride gets a black card. Down introduce Donal O’Hare for Connaire Harrison.
Plenty of young players have contributed to Mayo’s half-time lead.
Two red cards and two black cards in Tralee during that first 35 minutes.
Both teams are terribly ill disciplined.
Roscommon 0-12 Down 0-5
57 mins – Two scores in quick succession from Conor Daly and Cathal Cregg puts Roscommon seven clear.
Tempers flare in Tralee.
The second-half is underway in Clones. Monaghan’s Ryan McAnepsie comes on for Owen Duffy at half-time.
And the second period is back underway in Tralee with Kerry leading Donegal by 0-7 to 0-4.
Hopefully we’ll see more football from both teams in this half.
Two changes for Donegal at the break.
GOAL by Ciaran Murtagh! He slots home a penalty for the Rossies to wrap this one up with a minute of normal time remaining.
Black card for Down’s Micheal Cunningham.
Roscommon 1-12 Down 0-6
Kerry 0-7 Donegal 0-6
39 mins – Donegal are back to within a point. That strong breeze is a big factor.
Paddy McBrearty and Neil Gallagher with a brace.
Monaghan 1-5 Mayo 2-7
GOAL! Diarmuid O’Connor finds the net for Mayo with a fine finish
Peter Crowley goal! He took the pass from Kieran Donaghy and finished past Peter Boyle to give Kerry a three point lead.
Sheehan’s quick free found Donaghy in space near the Donegal goal. He collected and slipped the pass to Crowley who timed his run perfectly.
That goal could be critical.
Kerry 1-9 Donegal 0-7
50 mins – Donnchadh Walsh scores his third fisted point this afternoon. Nice patient build-up by Kerry
Donal Vaughan replaces Lee Keegan.
Monaghan 1-8 Mayo 2-9
52 mins – Kevin McLoughlin is enjoying himself here. He slots over to put Mayo four in front again.
Bryan Sheehan with a wonderful curling free kick for Kerry. They move six in front.
GOAL Michael Murphy!
That move epitomizes the danger of employing Michael Murphy on the edge of the square.
Colm Cooper gave away a sideline with a poor pass and Donegal lumped the ball into the danger zone. Murphy gathered, turned and drilled into the roof of the net.
Game on.
Monaghan 1-9 Mayo 2-9
59 mins -Another free from Conor McManus makes it a three point game.
We’re all set up for a big finish here. Can Mayo take their first win of the league?
Joe Brolly enjoyed Murphy’s goal.
Monaghan 1-10 Mayo 2-9
60 mins – Conor McManus sends over a free again.
Kerry 1-10 Donegal 1-08
61 mins – Michael Murphy’s free reduces the deficit to two.
We’re level in Clones. Conor McManus is racking up another big score.
Kerry 1-11 Donegal 1-8
67 mins – Donegal are running out of time. Michael Murphy sends a free wide.
Monaghan 1-12 Mayo 2-10
There will be at least four minutes of additional time in this one.
Full-time – Kerry 1-13 Donegal 1-8
Colm Cooper scores a point with the last kick.
Kerry run out winners in an ugly, ugly game.
Full-time – Monaghan 1-12 Mayo 2-11
Robbie Hennelly scored another massive ’45′ for Mayo just before the final whistle.
Big win for the Connacht champions.
Results
Division 1
Roscommon 1-12 Down 0-6
Kerry 1-13 Donegal 1-8
Monaghan 1-12 Mayo 2-11
Division 2
Fermanagh 1-17 Laois 0-10
Galway 0-15 Meath 1-12
Division 3
Tipperary 2-11 Offaly 0-12
Kildare 1-11 Limerick 1-10
Clare 1-18 Westmeath 0-10
Sligo 2-9 Longford 1-17
Division 4
London 0-11 Antrim 1-11
Leitrim 0-16 Louth 2-9
Wicklow 0-14 Carlow 0-17
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Great read. An absolute hero with highest standards of integrity. I’ll never forget the years of shouting at Sonia on the telly!!! She was a real role model for young athletes. Ever young athlete worshipped her on and off the track. A great Mother and an absolute Legend!!!!
@Shane McGrath: I’d say everyone of a certain era feels the same, I would considered her to be Ireland’s greatest female athlete of all time
@Wheresmyjumper: don’t think there is anyone even close to her to be honest.
what a great article. it’s lovely and so deserved that the 42 are doing this to Mark her 50th birthday. looking forward to more during the week.
Fantastic read. An absolute hero of
A true irish sporting hero. Devastatingly good on the track and humble but driven off it. The greatest and most unlucky athlete we have had.
Easily my favourite Irish sportstar of all time. She was right at the top for years in one of the blue riband events in female sport. Her biggest rivals were household names too. The way she carried herself and the way she recovered from disappointments marked her out as an inspiration. Great idea to mark her career in this way!
Great article , only ran on that track last week !!
What a great read and a beautiful tribute to Ireland’s greatest Athlete, Sonia ,Cobh, Ireland, the World.
Perhaps an article on our other most successful Olympian Michelle De Bruin might also be appropriate. Three Golds and a Bronze. Writing her out of Ireland’s sporting success is a shame.
@Micheal S. O’ Ceilleachair: Michelle’s achievements are slightly tainted, wouldn’t you agree?