Cavan and Fermanagh will both be in Div 2 next year as they sealed promotion, they will contest the Division 3 Final for the chance at some silverware, Fermanagh through after an entertaining contest.
Cavan 2-9 Fermanagh 1-17, Kingspan Breffni Park
Fermanagh sealed their promotion to division 2 in an entertaining all Ulster affair.
Cavan got out of the starting blocks the better of the two sides, Jonathan McCabe and Jack McKenna both hit the net for the hosts as they were ahead 2-3 to 0-6 at the break.
Fermanagh came back in empathic fashion as the second half wore on, Ryan Jones notched four points in the half, while Ultan Kelm added 1-2 in the half as The Erne County topped the division.
Longford 3-17 Antrim 3-12, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park
Longford secured their first win in the league after coming out on top in a high scoring affair with Antrim.
It was all Longford early on four quick points before Keelin McGann hit the net for a seven point lead in the 11th minute, Antrim were looking at n eight point deficit at the end of the opening quarter but Colm McLarnon’s goal in the 13th minute reduce the gap to five, before Ruairi McCann goaled two minutes later to see them lead.
By the end of the half Longford through Daire O’brien being inform saw them lead 1-13 to 2-4, Darragh Doherty hit the net minutes into the second half as that put eight points between them on the board, Antrim stayed with them as McCann netted a second goal but the McCann on the opposite side of the field netted his second for Longford enough to see them pick up points.
Offaly 0-9 Down 1-17, Bord na Mona O’Connor Park
Down quenched Offaly’s hopes of promotion as they produced a solid second half to take the win in Tullamore.
It was a tight first half but one that Down would edge before they headed to the dressing rooms, minutes after the restart Eugune Brannagan made it a four point lead to the visitors before Liam Kerr hit the net.
Down showed their quality in abundance as they had the firepower to keep the umpires busy and the scoreboard ticking over to see them advance.
Westmeath 1-13 Tipperary 0-10, TEG Cusack Park
Lorcan Dolan’s goal in the second half made him a Sweet Little Rock ’n Roller in Mullingar as Westmeath finished fourth in the standings.
They had to work for it however down to 14 men with Anthony McGivney was sent off late in the opening half, a dismal opening half as the sides were level 0-3 a piece.
The hosts kicked into gear for a four point lead by the 47th minute, Dolan’s goal gave them a five point lead with 20 to go on the clock, Tipp would stay with them however but just could not end the league on a high point.
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.