The opening week of Division 3 fixtures saw Cavan get revenge for their Tailteann Cup loss while Offaly’s goal-scoring overcame Antrim.
Fermanagh 0-15 – 0-08 Longford
Fermanagh earned a win over their Leinster opposition in their opening league game courtesy of an impressive first-half performance at Ederney.
The home side led by five points at half-time as consistent scorers like Sean Quigley kept their total ticking over.
Despite coming off the back of an O’Byrne Cup victory, Longford struggled to cope with the strength of their Ulster opponents and starman Dessie Reynolds was kept scoreless for the entirety of the game.
The second half descended into a scrappy encounter but Erne County stayed in control to earn two league points.
Tipperary 1-11 – 2-11 Down
After going winless for all of last season, Down secured a three-point victory over Tipperary at Thurles.
Conor Laverty’s Mournemen were impressive, particularly on the counter, until Niall McParland received a red card in the 40th minute and the pressure came on from Tipp.
Having led 1-06 to 0-02 at half-time the Premier County attempted to come back at the Ulstermen after the sending off but a mistake at the back saw Conor Francis net Down’s second goal and further points saw them come away with a victory.
Westmeath 1-06 – 0-12 Cavan
Cavan got revenge over Westmeath following their Tailteann Cup final defeat to the Leinster side last year with a three point victory at Cusack Park.
Mickey Graham’s men took a two-point lead into the break after a low-scoring opening half and further capitalised in the second-half wit points from frees and a mark.
Westmeath launched a comeback after Ronan Wallace palmed in a goal on 56 minutes but the Breffni finished the stronger. A series of points from Oisin and Ciaran Brady as well as Padraig Faulkner and John Heslin secured a revenge win for Cavan.
Antrim 0-12 – Offaly 2-12
Offaly’s goal-scoring capabilities were the difference as they landed a six-point victory over Antrim at Corrigan Park.
Ruairi McNamee struck the first Offaly goal on 25 minutes and Bernard Allen got the second late on to see the visitors fend off their hosts.
The Faithful County would let a nine-point advantage slip as Antrim launched a comeback in the second half, but a goal evaded the Saffrons and their midlands opponents took victory.
