Roundup: D3 Allianz Football League

Antrim and Louth are level on points at the top of Division 3, with the Ulster side ahead on score difference.

Enda McGinley’s side had a fine win over Longford on Saturday while Louth’s remarkable run continued on Sunday when they defeated Fermanagh to claim their third win in a row.

Westmeath are back in the promotion haunt following their win away to Limerick while Wicklow remain bottom following their heavy defeat at home to Laois and Longford are just ahead of the Garden County after they were beaten by Antrim.

Antrim 1-19 Longford 0-12, Corrigan Park, Belfast

Antrim went top of Division 3 with a comprehensive win over a poor Longford side. The Saffrons are firmly in the promotion mix while Longford are in a relegation battle. Enda McGinley’s side were full value for their win. 

With just seconds gone Antrim were awarded a penalty which Tomas McCann put away. Their forwards were lively and Longford had no answer to them. Longford scored just three points in the first half; all frees from the boot of Darren Gallagher.

The lead was 11 at the break. Antrim didn’t let up in the second half with Marc Jordan and Conor Murray superb. They were ahead by 13 with normal time nearly up. Longford hit over three late consolation points. The Midlanders ended the game with 14 after Eoghan McCormack was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Westmeath 1-12 Limerick 1-6, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

What a difference a week makes. Last Saturday Westmeath were dire and lost to their neighbours Longford, fast forward 7 days and a win in Limerick moves the Lake County up the table and pushing for promotion.

Limerick were ahead by 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval; Adrian Enright with the goal in the 28th minute. The goal had come after Westmeath had made a fine start to the game and were two ahead. 

Peter Nash hit the post for Limerick in the second half and it was to prove costly as Westmeath grabbed a goal of their own through Luke Loughlin. It gave the Lake County the lead and they didn’t relinquish it. Limerick cut the gap to one in the 54th minute but Westmeath ended the game well and picked up a valuable two points.

Laois 1-17 Wicklow 0-8, Aughrim

Laois moved two points away from the bottom two as they brushed aside the weak challenge of bottom side Wicklow. The Garden County still await their first win of the campaign and are on just one point.

Despite playing with the win the first half Wicklow failed to trouble Laois and it was Billy Sheehan’s men that asserted their authority early on. Wicklow got an early score but Laois replied with six points in a row. Wicklow rallied before the interval and trailed by two – 0-7 to 0-5.

An early free from Alan Dillon cut the deficit to one but Laois responded with a point and a goal from Evan O’Carroll. Wicklow couldn’t stage any type of comeback as Laois kept the scoreboard ticking over near the end to run out winners by 12 points.

Louth 2-12 Fermanagh 0-14, Brewster Park

Louth moved level on points with Antrim at the top of Division 3 following their win away to Fermanagh. It was the first time in 12 years the Wee County had won in Fermanagh. Mickey Harte’s side made the perfect start to the game; a goal from Tommy Durnin with just 25 seconds gone on the clock.

They added a second goal in the 17th minute through Sam Mulroy, to give them a six point lead. Fermanagh cut the gap to three in the 32nd minute but a free from Mulroy gave Louth a 2-5 to 0-7 half-time lead.

Two Sean Quigley frees cut the gap to two in the 37th minute. Louth replied with a Mulroy free. Fermanagh came to within two of Louth again but the Wee County were able to cancel out scores. The lead was six in the 68th minute but Fermanagh hit two late consolation points; two Quigley frees. The race for promotion is really heating up.