Allianz Football League Division III Round-Up

There were wins for Longford, Wexford and Roscommon in their first games of the 2012 Allianz Football League.

Wexford gave perhaps the most eye-catching performance in the division, putting four goals past Cavan in a high scoring game at Wexford Park.

Jason Ryan’s side made a brilliant start to the game and were 1-2 to 0-1 ahead when Eric Bradley hit the back of the net on 13 minutes. Ciarán Lyng then added a second from the penalty spot and the Models were in cruise control.

Wexford were 3-2 to 0-4 up inside 22 minutes following an unfortunate own goal, but the Breffni men rallied with five points in a row to cut the gap to 3-2 to 0-9 at the break.

Cavan were thrown a lifeline when Daithí Waters was sent off for a second yellow card offence, but Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson pulled off a fine save from the ensuing penalty.

Cavan did get their goal when Gearóid McKiernan hit the back of the net, but that was soon cancelled out when Bradley scored his second goal of the game and Wexford’s fourth with 10 minutes left.

Meanwhile, at Kiltoom Roscommon had a narrow win over Tipperary, who lost Barry Grogan to a second yellow card in the second half.

There was little to report in the first half as the sides went in level at 0-4 apiece, before Roscommon moved clear with points from Donie Shine and Michael Finneran on the resumption of play.

That lead was out to 1-7 to 0-5 when Conor Devaney hit the back of the net to finish a swift counter-attack.

Tipp fought back, but the loss of their top scorer in the recent McGrath Cup campaign, Grogan, proved a killer blow as Roscommon held on for a three-point win.

Longford were far too strong for Offaly in the final game of the day, with Paul Kelly scoring the Longford goal in the first half.

Alan Mulhall kicked 0-4 for the Faithful County who trailed by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break and they struggled badly in the second half, managing just two further points as Longford strolled to victory.

Results:

Offaly 0-8 Longford 2-15
Wexford 4-9 Cavan 1-13
Roscommon 1-12 Tipperary 0-12