Mayo have made the league final but the rest of the Division is a minefield, Galway could be edged by Kerry next weekend, while Donegal and Monaghan are on the verge of relegation.
Armagh 1-6 Galway 1-8, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
Matthew Tierney’s late fisted goal secured a win for Galway to boost their hopes of making the league final.
Armagh had the ideal start, early points from Stefan Campbell and Callum Cumiskey were added to buy an audacious goal by Ethan Rafferty, the Armagh keeper sent a long high ball toward goal and it nestled into the back of the net, 1-2 to no score after 22 minutes.
John Heaney got Galway on the board minutes later, both would exchange points as the half was coming to a conclusion, Shane Walsh pointed a 45 in the final act of the half as Armagh were ahead 1-4 to 0-3 at the break.
After both exchanged an early point to start the second half, Galway came back into the tie, Rob Finnerty, Paul Conroy, Shane Walsh and Tomo Culhane all scored points without reply to bring Galway level late on, but Tierney’s finish in the dying embers served as the deciding factor, despite Aidan Nugent pointing in added time.
Kerry 1-12 Roscommon 0-12, Austin Stack Park
Kerry have eased their worries of being relegated with a win over the Rossies in Tralee.
In a pulsating opening ten minutes Kerry took control, Dara Moynihan got them on the board, before David Clifford finished off to the back of the net for an early goal, two Donal O’Sullivan points had them ahead 1-3 to no score by the tenth minute.
Another Kerry man was next to score, with Conor Cox now lining out for the Rossies getting them on the board from a free, Tony Brosnan pointed either side of a Diarmuid Murtagh free as the hosts had a six point lead.
Sean O’Shea made it seven before Ciaráin Murtagh, Diarmuid Murtagh and Cox all added quickfire scores to cut the gap to four, Clifford notching a free late on to make it 1-7 to 0-5 at the interval.
Roscommon started the second half much the better, Daire Cregg and two Cox points made it a two point game before Graham O’Sullivan was black carded, Paudi Clifford got Kerry on the board to keep them afloat after an early Roscommon bombardement.
Cox responded again but Kerry found a purple patch with Tom O’Sullivan, O’Shea and David Clifford all kicking over the black spot for a five point lead, Roscommon stayed with them Cox and Donie Smith adding late scores that set up a nervy finish but Kerry held strong in defence.
Monaghan 0-13 Tyrone 2-15, Clones
Tyrone picked up a big win to kickstart their bid to preserve their Division One status with an eight-point margin over 13-man Monaghan in Clones.
The Red Hands had an ideal start to proceedings, Peter Harte and Cormac Quinn both hit the back of the net in the opening half, they went in at the break ahead 2-5 to 0-8 ahead as Monaghan were looking to comeback, they had Jack McCarron and Killian Lavelle sent off after the restart.
Tyrone showed their credentials as they powered home to victory in the second half, aided by Darren McCurry and Darragh Canavan having strong performances in the full forward line, they had ten different scorers chip in to keep their survival chances alive.
Donegal 0-9 Mayo 1-17, Ballybofey
Mayo romped home to victory securing their spot in the league decider and with it putting Donegal on the journey to Division 2.
It was a nip and tuck opening half in Ballybofey but one that Mayo had a five point cushion in as they went to the break, leading 0-11 to 0-6, six different scorers putting Mayo in the driving seat in the opening half as Matthew Raune and Aidan O’Shea both grabbed 0-3 each, while Ryan O’Donogohue notched two points.
O’Donoghue kick started the Mayo charge in the second half, his goal two minutes after the restart served as the catalyst in a strong second half for Mayo, they chipped away at the scores Donegal just managing three second half scores, big performances by the Mayo squad as Padraig O’Hora made his return after the hour mark.