Roundup: D1 Allianz Football League

Kerry have rubber stamped their spot in the final of Division One of the Allianz Football League, with a victory over Armagh this weekend, interesting to see who joins them as Mayo also were defeated by Tyrone.

Three teams now sit on five points, Kildare’s victory sees them in fourth, with Donegal and Tyrone just behind. Dublin secured back to back wins, helping their bid to stay in the Division, they are level on four points with Monaghan, who they face next weekend in a crucial fixture in Clones.

Tyrone 0-11 Mayo 0-9, O’Neill’s Healy Park

Relegation threatened Tyrone picked up a well deserved and vital two-point win at Healy Park, easing their relegation worries while also hindering Mayo’s bid for place in the division final.

Three Peter Harte points and two from Conor Meyler had Tyrone ahead by 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval, a strong showing by the All ireland holders, laying the foundation for their victory, a second successive defeat has Mayo out of form for a league decider, but victory over Kildare next Sunday could salvage their title ambitions.

Mayo fought back to within a point late on through the inform Ryan O’Donoghue, but the Red Hands sealed the dramatic contest, a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final, with a Darragh Canavan score in the 67th minute.

Kerry 1-13 Armagh 0-13, Athletic Grounds

Jack O’Connor’s men remain unbeaten and advance into the league final, but were made to work for their points in Ulster, as Armagh put in a valiant performance but fell just short in the end, they remain in third a must win final game over Donegal next weekend.

Despite not being named in the matchday squad, David Clifford was a last minute addition to the Kerry bench, coming in at the start of the second half, finishing with 1-02, finding the net in the 42nd minute, while Jack Savage also impressed, managing 0-5 in place of Sean O’Shea.

Rian O’Neill was again the danger for Armagh, but they threatened the Kerry defence from all areas, they could have equalised five minutes from time but Shane Ryan made a great save to deny a green flag, in the end Kerry survived but cynical tackles helped them along the way.

Kildare 0-24 Monaghan 1-12, St Conleth’s Park

Kildare have inflicted more woe on Monaghan’s relegation battle, with a comfortable nine point winning margin in Newbridge, the win seeing Kildare climb up the table, a strong showing but deserved based on their league performances this year.

Jimmy Hyland and Paddy Woodgate inspired once again from the full forward line, managing 0-8 and 0-4 respectively while Darragh Kirwan scored 0-4 from full-forward, but was sent off late on.

Monaghan trailed 0-12 to 0-7 at the break, but went ten points behind after the restart before Conor McCarthy found the net after 49 minutes, Andrew Woods saw a black card minutes later, as Kildare finished the half with a flurry.

Dublin 2-15 Donegal 2-11, Croke Park

Dublin look to have found their feet in the league, back to back wins giving them hope of not being relegated, the Dubs surviving thanks to a late Dean Rock penalty, but the Donegal wide count was a huge problem all afternoon for the Ulstermen.

The Opening half began at a rapid tempo, Donegal netted after 10 minutes through Patrick McBrearty pushing out a five point lead by the 15th minute, before Dublin hit back with a Cormac Costello point and a goal from Niall Scully. The Dubs hit five points without reply to lead 1-08 to 1-05 at half-time.

Dublin remained ahead early in the second half, but a Michael Murphy goal after 53 minutes had their lead reduced to 1-11 to 2-6, it remained a nip and tuck second half as Dublin could not shake away their opponents, they got breathing room a minute from time as Dean Rock fired a penalty into the roof of the net, to lead 2-15 to 2-09 as Donegal kicked two late scores, which could be interesting for the relegation battle.