THE ULSTER PAIR of Donegal and Monaghan put themselves in the driving seat for promotion to Division 1 of the Allianz National Football League today after both recorded comfortable wins over spirited, if limited, opposition.
Donegal 1-19
Louth 3-7
Jim McGuinness’ men raced into a 0-13 to 0-1 lead in the first half before Shane Lennon’s poacher’s finish gave a hint of what was to come from the Wee County in the second period.
Two black cards in the first half didn’t help Louth’s cause and Donegal were good value for their 0-13 to 1-1 half-time lead.
They tacked on an additional three points early in the second half but took their foot off the pedal and Louth punished them with two goals in as many minutes from Brian White and Paddy Keenan.
That provoked a reaction from Donegal and when David Walsh scored a maximum Louth’s comeback fizzled out and the 2012 All-Ireland winners saw the game home with minimum fuss, relegating their visitors to Division 3.
Monaghan 0-19
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Laois 0-14
Conor McManus was key for Monaghan today. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Laois may well be the team to join Louth in relegation after a strong finish from Monaghan saw them emerge as five-point winners in Clones.
The hosts started the game the brighter, finding themselves three points up after 15 minutes before Laois drew level in the 21st thanks to points from Darren Strong, Conor Meredith and David Conway.
The visitors took the lead for the first and only time in the game moments later when Donie Kingston slotted over a free but some fine scoring from Monaghan and some poor decision making in front of goal for Laois ensured the sides went into half-time level at 0-8 apiece.
As they did in the first, the hosts started the second half with more pep in their step than Laois and though Tomás Ó Flaharta’s men reduced the deficit to two in the closing stages, Monaghan kicked on to put themselves in prime position for promotion to the top tier.
Laois must beat Down next weekend and hope that either Galway or Armagh lose if they are to avoid the same fate as Louth.
Galway 2-14
Armagh 1-13
The Tribesmen will be hoping they can take some of the goalscoring form they showed in the early stages of their game with Armagh into the final round of fixtures; Eddie Hoare and Michael Martin both raising the green flag before many in Tuam had finished their pre-game cup of tea.
The Tribesmen led by as many as seven in the opening half and must have been confident of winning this one comfortably when they went into the break 2-8 to 0-9 in front.
When Kevin Dyas got the first point of the second half though, it was a sign of things to come and after Tony Kernan’s goal brought his side within two, Armagh must have thought the game was there for the taking.
However, while Finnian Moriarty briefly brought the sides level, it was Galway who finished the stronger as former Kildare player James Kavanagh, Mike Farragher, Tom Flynn and Paul Conroy scored to see them home.
The result means that both Galway and Armagh have their fate in their own hands entering the final round of fixtures. However, with Monaghan and Donegal respectively on the horizon, this division is anything but decided.
Division 2 football wrap: Donegal and Monaghan edge closer to promotion as Louth are relegated
THE ULSTER PAIR of Donegal and Monaghan put themselves in the driving seat for promotion to Division 1 of the Allianz National Football League today after both recorded comfortable wins over spirited, if limited, opposition.
Donegal 1-19
Louth 3-7
Jim McGuinness’ men raced into a 0-13 to 0-1 lead in the first half before Shane Lennon’s poacher’s finish gave a hint of what was to come from the Wee County in the second period.
Two black cards in the first half didn’t help Louth’s cause and Donegal were good value for their 0-13 to 1-1 half-time lead.
They tacked on an additional three points early in the second half but took their foot off the pedal and Louth punished them with two goals in as many minutes from Brian White and Paddy Keenan.
That provoked a reaction from Donegal and when David Walsh scored a maximum Louth’s comeback fizzled out and the 2012 All-Ireland winners saw the game home with minimum fuss, relegating their visitors to Division 3.
Monaghan 0-19
Laois 0-14
Laois may well be the team to join Louth in relegation after a strong finish from Monaghan saw them emerge as five-point winners in Clones.
The hosts started the game the brighter, finding themselves three points up after 15 minutes before Laois drew level in the 21st thanks to points from Darren Strong, Conor Meredith and David Conway.
The visitors took the lead for the first and only time in the game moments later when Donie Kingston slotted over a free but some fine scoring from Monaghan and some poor decision making in front of goal for Laois ensured the sides went into half-time level at 0-8 apiece.
As they did in the first, the hosts started the second half with more pep in their step than Laois and though Tomás Ó Flaharta’s men reduced the deficit to two in the closing stages, Monaghan kicked on to put themselves in prime position for promotion to the top tier.
Laois must beat Down next weekend and hope that either Galway or Armagh lose if they are to avoid the same fate as Louth.
Galway 2-14
Armagh 1-13
The Tribesmen will be hoping they can take some of the goalscoring form they showed in the early stages of their game with Armagh into the final round of fixtures; Eddie Hoare and Michael Martin both raising the green flag before many in Tuam had finished their pre-game cup of tea.
The Tribesmen led by as many as seven in the opening half and must have been confident of winning this one comfortably when they went into the break 2-8 to 0-9 in front.
When Kevin Dyas got the first point of the second half though, it was a sign of things to come and after Tony Kernan’s goal brought his side within two, Armagh must have thought the game was there for the taking.
However, while Finnian Moriarty briefly brought the sides level, it was Galway who finished the stronger as former Kildare player James Kavanagh, Mike Farragher, Tom Flynn and Paul Conroy scored to see them home.
The result means that both Galway and Armagh have their fate in their own hands entering the final round of fixtures. However, with Monaghan and Donegal respectively on the horizon, this division is anything but decided.
Division 3 football wrap: Limerick send Faithful down with tense one-point win
Tipperary clinch promotion from Division 4 as Clare and Wicklow remain in the hunt
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comp:Allianz Football League Division 2 (Gaelic Football 43) Crunch time GAA Armagh Donegal Galway Laois Louth Monaghan