National Leagues Round-Up

March 31st, 2008

– Saturday, March 29 –

Allianz National Football League Division Two
Cavan 0-13 Cork 0-12

Seanie Johnston was the star of the show as Cavan claimed a 0-13 to 0-12 victory over Cork at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday evening in the Allianz National Football League.

The tricky forward popped over nine points to earn the Man of the Match award and stand out in a tight game that went right to the final minute of play.

With tough conditions facing both sides, there was a worry that the game might not be as exciting or action-packed as it could have been – but those fears were allayed when Johnston opened the scoring in the second minute.

It was quite a nip and tuck encounter throughout with both teams taking slender leads and the scores constantly being brought back to a level pegging, so it was always going to take a big performance from one individual to swing this one.

Johnston was the man who stepped up to take that responsibilty, but he was rivalled for the position by midfielder Dermot McCabe, who put in an excellent display.

Cork had plenty of positive points to take from this match with Donnacha O’Connor, Fintan Gould, and Daniel Goulding all standing out for The Rebels in attack.

The Breffni Men matched the visitors for strength, determination, and skill as they racked up an impressive array of scores to keep them in contention throughout this blustery game.

One of the most pleasing things for Cavan supporters would have been the decision-making by their players on the pitch. For example, when Johnston was presented with a half chance in front of posts he took an extra step and popped a point over rather than going for goal.

This was the type of things that the men wearing blue jerseys did all night and it really allowed them to push Cork right back into their own half. Then with precise kicking they started to convert key scores.

As the game went on, it looked like it would end in a draw with the sides level heading towards added time. But that man Johnston was again on hand to put his side in front with possibly the best score of the night.

Overall, it was a deserved victory for the home team and they will take a lot of confidence from this as they look to avoid relegation.

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– Sunday, March 30 –

Allianz National Football League Division One
Galway 3-9 Derry 0-13

Galway ran out comfortable winners against Derry in a one-sided Allianz National Football League Division One clash at Salthill on Sunday.

While Galway enjoyed fine performances from Padraig Joyce, Michael Meehan and Matthew Clancy, Derry talisman Paddy Bradley had a forgettable afternoon.

The Tribesman started the brightest, with Joe Bergin forcing a fine save from John Deighan inside the first minute. Clancy opened the scoring a minute later before Fiachra Breathneach doubled their advantage after seven.

Enda Muldoon replied for Derry with a fine score, before Mark Lynch levelled matters with a beautiful long-range effort. Lynch then had his powerful goal-bound shot deflected over the bar by the retreating Damien Burke. It would be the only time that Derry would lead in the match.

After 16 minutes Padraig Joyce played in Breathnach who was hauled down in the box, although it could be argued the forward went down quite easily under the challenge. Michael Meehan made no mistake from the spot. The goal lifted Galway.

Soon afterwards wing back Gary Sice collected a high ball and soloed 60 yards with the ball before earning his side a free. It seemed to inspire the rest of the side. Meehan knocked over the resulting free and Galway were cruising.

Conleith Gilligan, one of Derry’s better performers on the day, pulled a point back before Niall Coleman restored Galway’s three-point lead. Eoin Bradley gave the Oakleaf County some hope with a fine point, however it would be Galway who would finish the half the stronger.

Meehan played in Matthew Clancy with a fine pass but the corner forward’s shot was tipped over the bar by Deighan. The goalkeeper then came to his team’s rescue once again when Sice had his effort blocked down. Galway lead at the break by a score of 1-5 to 0-5.

Derry needed to start the second half brightly but again Galway came out of the dressing rooms more fired up. Meehan should have extended Galway’s lead when, off balance, his shot trickled just wide of the post.

Paddy Bradley, who up to now had seen little of the ball, was brought out to the half forward line in an effort to become more involved in the game. Unfortunately for Derry the switch would have little impact.

Eoin Bradley and Meehan swapped points, before Joyce showed just why he is regarded as being one of the country’s best finishers. The chance seemed to have been lost, but Joyce swivelled, beat his marker, and unleashing an unstoppable shot past Deighan. After ten minutes of the second half it was Galway 2-6 Derry 0-6.

Conway and Gilligan scored two points apiece for Tyrone, either side of a Joe Bergin point. It was only a mini-revival. The tie was effectively over on 63 minutes following the move of the match. Sean Armstrong, who had replaced Breathneach at the end of the first half, found Nicky Joyce. Joyce’s quick hand pass inside released Michael Clancy.

The wing forward coolly slotted the ball past Deighan. Two minutes later Meehan’s placed ball sailed over the bar. Derry responded with late points from Eunan O’Kane and Muldoon, but they were little more than consolation scores.

While Galway enjoyed fine performances from Padraig Joyce, Michael Meehan and Matthew Clancy, Derry talisman Paddy Bradley had a forgettable afternoon.

The Tribesman started the brightest. Joe Bergin forcing a fine save from John Deighan inside the first minute. Clancy opened the scoring a minute later before Fiachra Breathneach doubled their advantage after seven.

Enda Muldoon replied for Tyrone with a fine score, before Mark Lynch levelled matters with a beautiful long-range effort. Lynch then had his powerful goal bound shot deflected over the bar by the retreating Damien Burke. It would be the only time that Derry would lead in the match.

Soon afterwards wing back Gary Spice collected a high ball and soloed 60 yards with the ball before earning his side a free. It seemed to inspire the rest of the side. Meehan knocked over the resulting free and Galway were cruising.

Conleith Gilligan, one of Derry’s better performers on the day, pulled a point back before Niall Coleman restored Galway’s three point lead. Eoin Bradley gave the Oakleaf County some hope with a fine point, however it would be Galway who would finish the half the stronger.

Derry: John Deighan, Kevin McGuckin, Kevin McCloy, Francis McEldowney; Liam Hinphey, Mickey McBride, Michael McIver; Enda Muldoon (0-02), James Conway (0-02); Mark Lynch (0-02), Paul Murphy, Barry McGoldrick; Conleith Gilligan (0-03, 2f), Paddy Bradley, Eoin Bradley (0-02).
Subs: Mickey Friel for P Murphy, Colin Devlin for E Bradley, Gerard O’Kane (0-01) for M McBride, Joe Diver (0-01) for M Lynch, Joe Keenan for M McIver.

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Allianz National Football League Division One
Tyrone 0-11 Donegal 0-9

Tyrone ran out two-point winners over Ulster rivals Donegal in a bruising Allianz National Football League Division One clash at Edendork on Sunday afternoon.

The intimate county Tyrone venue hosted the clash after Saturday night’s original fixture was rescheduled due to a waterlogged pitch in Omagh.

The home side led by 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time, and they edged ahead to steal two valuable points at the very end of the game.

The introduction of Brian McGuigan as a second half substitute steadied the Tyrone midfield, but Donegal were unfortunate not to get something from the game after levelling matters with just four minutes remaining.

However, a late free from Tommy McGuigan edged them in front and the excellent Enda McGinley grabbed the insurance point in injury time.

The Red Hands opened the scoring after just two minutes when Tommy McGuigan sent over a sublime effort from a sideline kick.

However, Donegal hit back through Rory Canavan and Kevin Rafferty to take an early lead.

Tyrone corner back Ryan McMenamin popped up in attack to score an unexpected point, while Colm McFadden and Ryan Bradley hit back for Donegal.

McFadden and Bradley were on target again for the National League champions before a brace from Niall Gormley brought Tyrone back on terms.

Tyrone full-forward Sean O’Neill should have made the game safe soon after, but his attempt on goal went badly wide.

However, two late points were enough to seal the win for Mickey Harte’s side.

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Allianz National Football League Division Two
Monaghan 1-12 Meath 0-10

Monaghan go clear at the top of Allianz NFL Division Two after a 1-12 to 0-10 victory over Meath at Scotstown on Sunday.

The tie was moved from Clones due to a waterlogged pitch and throw-in was delayed for 15 minutes because of crowd congestion, but the Ulster side did not allow themselves to be distracted from the task in hand.

They started brightly. Rory Woods opened their account; however Stephen Bray levelled matters shortly after. A Paul Finlay goal put the hosts ahead by 1-2 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The Banty Boys, playing a two-man full forward line of Tommy Freeman and Vincent Corey, never looked back.

Rory Woods and Freeman (0-4) were outstanding whereas Bray’s point was the Royals’ only score from play in the first half. Cian Ward did manage to add three frees but the Leinster side trailed by 1-7 to 0-4 at half time.

The second half saw Ward converting two more frees but they were really struggling to open up Monaghan from open play.

Corey responded for Monaghan with two points of his own, before Eoin Lennon and Stephen Gollogly chipped in with a point apiece.

Monaghan have grown as a team following their heartbreaking All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry last year, however their fellow semi-finalists Meath seem to be going in the opposite direction.

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Allianz National Football League Division Three
Sligo 0-14 Fermanagh 0-17

Fermanagh stay on top of Division Three following their three-point victory over Sligo in Markievicz Park. The game finished Sligo 0-14 Fermanagh 0-17.

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Allianz National Football League Division Four
London 0-5 Antrim 3-19

Sunday turned out to be a very successful day for Antrim footballers, as their win over London coupled with Tipperary’s defeat by Carlow puts the Saffrons in a very strong position to earn promotion out of Division 4.

It was all too easy for the rampant Saffrons in Ruislip as they recorded a runaway 23 point win, a result which will do their scoring averages no harm at all.

Playing against the wind in the opening half Antrim struggled a little, and only led by 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time, thanks mainly to the accuracy of Paddy Cunningham.

However after the change of ends Antrim took complete control as they game turned into a Saffron procession.

Thomas McCann, who ended up top scorer with a goal and five points, maintained his good recent form for both county and UUJ when he fired in his team’s opening goal.
Benny Hasson fired in number two and eight minutes from the end Justin Crozier soloed through from the half-back line to score a superb individual goal.

The news of Tipperary’s defeat to Carlow at Dr Cullen Park added further cheer to the Saffron camp, a result which means Antrim can clinch promotion, and a place in the Division 4 final, if they can win away in Tipperary next weekend.

Antrim: Sean McGreevy, James Loughrey, Andy McClean, Kevin OBoyle, Tony Scullion, Sean Kelly (capt), Justin Crozier, Joe Quinn, Aodhan Gallagher, Benny Hasson, Michael McCann, Terry O’Neill, Thomas McCann, Kevin Niblock, Paddy Cunningham.
Subs: Conlieth Totten, Conal Kelly, Sean Burke, Eoin O’Neill, Paul Doherty.

(Report: antrim.gaa.ie)

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Allianz National Hurling League Division 3
Tyrone 1-12 Longford 2-6