Galway make a swift return to Division 1 with a win over Derry; Roscommon recorded another victory in their promotion push and Down are relegated to Division 3 with the final Relegation and Promotion spots to be decided in the last round of fixtures.
Galway 4-11 Derry 0-12, Sunday 20th March, Owenbeg
Galway travelled to Owenbeg knowing a win would see them promoted. A convincing win on a score-line of 4-11 to 0-12 saw the Tribesmen gain promotion at the first time of asking since being relegated last year.
Galway started the quicker of the two sides and never looked back leading 1-4 to 0-1 after 15 minutes Matthew Tierney netting the early goal. Damien Comer and Maigh Cuilinn’s Dessie Conneely netted two more first half goals and Galway went in at the break leading 3-8 to 0-4 Derry with miles off the pace.
Tomo Culhane scored Galways fourth goal just after half time leaving the result in no doubt for the away side.
The game saw three red cards late on Paul Conroy for Galway, with Ciaran McFaul and Gareth McKinless seeing red for Derry.
The Tribesmen will be delighted with their days worth securing promotion in the progress while Derry have it all to do in the last round of fixtures if they are to follow Galway to division one.
Cork 1-16 Down 1-12, Sunday 20th March, Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Cork have secured their first win of the campaign following a four-point home victory, and by doing so have sent Down to Division 3.
It was a close fought affair from the very beginning, each score being matched by another down the other end.
St Finbarr’s Stephen Sherlock found the back of the Down net just before half time giving his Cork side a three point cushion going in at the break 1-5 to 0-5 .
Down found themselves trailing by four after 42 minutes but up stepped Tiernan Rushe after 45 minutes getting a crucial goal leaving only one point between the sides 1-9 to 1-8.
Cork responded well and Sherlock again stepped up and scored two frees and he finished the day with 1-07 to his name 0-5 from placed balls. Down could never claw back the deficit and unfortunately for them it finished Cork 1-16 Down 1-12.
Offaly Vs Roscommon
Offaly V Roscommon, Sunday 20th February, 2pm, Bord na Móna O’Connor Park
Roscommon climb into second place after a solid away win on a scoreline of 2-18 to 0-14 at the hands of Offaly. Defeat sees Offaly fall into the dangerous final relegation spot with one remaining fixture
Both sides needing points for different reasons it was always going to be an intense match up.
Roscommon started well getting the first four points inside four minutes and after 15 minutes they led the home side 0-8 to 0-2.
The Rossies’ Keith Doyle saw red after 15 minutes for a high tackle.
Offaly scored four points within the next 10 minutes but on the 26 minute mark Donie Smith got a goal putting seven between the sides. Offaly failed to capitalise on the sending off and they went in at the break 0-7 to 1-12.
Enda Smith got Roscommons second ending the match as a contest, Roscommon emptied their bench and kept the points tipping over.
Offaly were well beaten in the end against fourteen men on a scoreline of 0-14 to 2-18 Roscommon now looking for promotion on the final day while Offaly will be aiming to avoid relegation.
Clare Vs Meath
Clare V Meath, Sunday 20th March, 2pm, Cusack Park.
In a match that saw sides with relegation and promotion highly unlikely it was Meath who made sure of their faith by securing their division two status for another campaign on a score-line of 0-9 to 0-10.
Meath got off to a quick start netting three free kicks Shane Walsh with one and Jordan Morris with the two.
Clare responded with three points of their own and an edgy first half saw both sides go in level on 0-5 each.
With the second half underway both sides went onto six points after the 44th minute mark.
Emmet McMahon put Clare up by two points after 52 minutes only for Meath to again draw level on the hour mark.
Both sides were on 0-9 apiece after the 70 minutes and Meaths James Conlon scored the winning point after three minutes of additional time. Meath saw out the match and took home all the points after a tense tight affair, winning by the narrowest margin 0-10 to 0-9.
John Nee
Sports journalist, Video Editor and Cinematographer but maybe even more importantly a huge sports fan.