Cavan’s promotion aspirations have to wait another weekend, after Antrim secured their safety with a win at the weekend, while Longford and Tipperary’s relegation was confirmed thanks to that Antrim result.
Antrim 1-17 Cavan 2-12, Corrigan Park
Antrim are safe from relegation after a two point win over Cavan secured their status in the division.
It wa s tight start to proceedings but Ruairí McCann’s goal after six minutes fired Antrim into an early lead, Paddy Lynch and Cian Madden would find a reply to make it a one point game after seven minutes.
Antrim would hit their stride by the midway mark, Marc Jordan, Dominic McEnhill and Patrick McBride all hitting scores for a three point lead as Jack Mckenna had pulled a score back for Cavan.
By half time it was 1-7 to 0-4 as Antrim were motoring well, four points in quick succession after the restart had them nine ahead with ten gone in the second, on the hour mark Cavan got some crucial scores to come back, Gearoid McKieran, Raymond Galligan and Conor Madden all pointing.
Madden hit a hammerblow in the 64th minute as his goal just left three between the sides, Conor Smith followed it up with a score but two Odhrán Eastwood points proved crucial in keeping Antrim ahead, then Paddy Lynch was next to hot the back of the Antrim net deep in added time as we had a one point game, but Patrick McBride pointed seconds later to cap a big win for the Saffrons.
Tipperary 0-13 Offaly 2-14, FBD Semple Stadium
Offaly are still within a shot of promotion as they did Liam Kearns proud by producing a terrific display amid plenty of emotion in Thurles, as two late goals secured the result.
Jack Kennedy and Stephen Quirke gave Tipp an early lead which stretched to three by the 13th minute as Mikey O’Shea pointed, Offaly would level just after the end of the opening quarter as Bernard Allen and Ruairí McNamee pointed.
Nigel Dunne and Dylan Hyland added points to push Offaly ahead for the first time in the tie, Michael O’Reilly replied for the hosts but Joe Maher cancelled it out with a score for Offfaly.
That was the case for the remainder of the opening half as both exchanged scores with Offaly doing enough to keep their lead at the break ahead 0-9 to 0-7. It was more of the same for the second half as both sides exchanged blows but Offaly did enough to lead.
It was a nervy end as Tipp were on course to draw the tie but goals in added time from Ruairí McNamee and Anton Sullivan secured a big win to end a difficult week for Offaly.
Fermanagh 0-15 Westmeath 2-8, St Josephs Park
Fermanagh are still on track to get promoted after a one point win over Westmeath which ends their hopes of promotion this season.
It was an entertaining but closely contested opening half that saw Fermanagh lead 0-9 to 0-4 at the break, Ryan Lyons kicked three big points for Fermanagh in the half as they had a healthy lead at the break.
Into the second and anything the game was Fermanagh’s until Westmeath hit two goals in quick succession on the hour mark, Luke Loughlin and David Lynch both striking to make it 0-13 to 2-6 on the scoreboard.
Ultan Kelm and Josh Heslin exchanged scores as we headed for added on time, Ché Cullen pointed for a two point game, but despite Ronan Wallace adding one more score for Westmeath they could not find an equaliser.
Down 1-19 Longford 1-14, Páirc Esler
Down moved to third but their hopes of getting promotion were dashed by results elsewhere.
It was an entertaining opening half in Newry where Longford started started strong but allowed Down back into the game, it was Down who had the advantage but into added time Dessie Reynolds hit the net and Liam Kerr pointed to level the tie, Miceal Rooney and Oran Kenny both scored late on to make it 0-9 to 1-6 at the break.
Both exchanged scores early with Kerr providing early scores for Down, the half wore on as Down managed to hold a slender lead, Kerr and Ryan Johnston increased the hosts lead late in the half but a penalty saw Longford lose a man and Kerr hit the net after the penalty deflected off the keeper, but may have not crossed the line.
Longford fought back in those dying minutes but were unable to craft the scores with Down able to take the two points on offer.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.