Review: Allianz NFL Div 1 Week 1

Donegal started their league off with a win over the All-Ireland champions while Connacht rivals Mayo and Galway played out a thrilling draw at McHale Park.

Monaghan 1-12 – 1-14 Armagh

Armagh got their league campaign off to a flying start with a two point win over Ulster rivals Monaghan.  The Orchard County were wasteful with scoring opportunities in the first-half but hit a higher gear in the second period to power ahead. 

After the sides went in at the break level, Armagh came out kicking and scored several consecutive points to put them ahead early after play resumed. Monaghan found their feet eventually and came very close to completing a comeback.

However, two vital Stefan Campbell points late on put the fixture ensured that the visiting county would win their first league game of 2023. 

Mayo 1-11 – 2-8 Galway  

A late Ryan O’Donoghue point ensured that Kevin McStay did not endure a loss to Galway his first league game as Mayo manager. 

The Tribesmen had gone into the break ahead by two points, thanks in no small part to a Matthew Tierney goal in the 12th minute, just after James Carr had netted for Mayo. 

A Sean Kelly goal saw Galway retake the lead from their arch-rivals in the second-half but Mayo caught up again in what became a cagey affair. Damien Comer and O’Donoghue exchanged points late on and the Mayo forward’s seventh points of the night saw Galway halted in their attempts to record a fifth consecutive victory in league and Championship over the Green and Red.

Roscommon 3-11 – 1-12 Tyrone

The Rossies’ recorded a five point win over 2021 All-Ireland winners Tyrone on their return to the First Division. 

The side began brightly in front of their home support at Dr Hyde Park and went into the break three points ahead. After the break,  the visitors began to showcase their talents after a Kieran McGeary goal saw them burst into form and they took the lead. 

Roscommon, however, replied with two goals in quick succession from Ciarain Murtagh and Diarmuid Murtagh to shock Tyrone. The Ulstermen would come back and close the gap to a point but another Rossies goal, this time from Ben O’Carroll, secured a great victory for Davy Burke’s men.

Donegal 0-13 – 1-09 Kerry

Skipper Patrick McBrearty led his side to a one point win over the All-Ireland Champions at a windy Ballybofey on Sunday afternoon.   

The sides appeared even in the opening stages of the tie but Kerry took advantage of a mistake from Brendan McCole and Dara Moynihan netted a goal to give them the advantage.

The visitors went into half-time three points ahead but consistent scoring from Donegal and the odd reply from the Kingdom saw the sides on even terms with 10 minutes remaining. 

Caolon McColgan put the home side ahead with five minutes left but Donal O’Sullivan fisted over an equaliser for Kerry in added time. As the seconds ticked down, up stepped McBrearty with the winning point.

Jack Joy is a journalism student at Dublin City University

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