Round-up: Allianz FL D3 action

Allianz Football League Division Three

Down 2-15 Westmeath 1-15

Laois 0-18 Sligo 1-8

Limerick 1-15 Wexford 1-14

Clare 2-18 Fermanagh 0-18

Clare climbed off the bottom of Division 3 with a hard fought win over Fermanagh at Brewster Park to leave the home side propping up the table and in serious danger of relegation.

It was Clare’s first win of the campaign, following defeats away to Down and at home to Westmeath.

The Banner were one up on the hour mark when Daniel Walsh hit the net to give them breathing space and a four point lead, with Shane Griffin and Eoin Cleary ensuring the points went to the visitors.

Aaron Griffin’s first half goal saw Clare lead by 1-10 to 0-10 at the break and with Mark McInerney deadly accurate all afternoon, they extra edge they held in firepower was enough to see them over the line.

Declan Bonnar’s Fermanagh continue the search for their first point of the campaign when they travel to Westmeath next weekend.

Elsewhere, Wexford were left heartbroken when a last gasp Limerick goal propelled the Treaty men to victory at Rathkeale.

Wexford had led right up to stoppage time but James Naughton’s set-up play found Peter Nash and he made no mistake to secure Limerick’s first victory of the campaign.

John Hegarty’s Wexford were looking to make it three wins out of three and Niall Hughes’ first half goal had them well on their way, but man of the match Naughton, who hit seven points, including four from play, had other ideas as he set substitute Nash up for the winning goal.

On Saturday, Down survived a dramatic Westmeath comeback at Pairc Esler this evening to go top of Allianz Division Three and move into pole position for promotion.

Conor Laverty’s side were in total control at the Newry venue going into the final quarter, but former AFL man Ray Connellan sparked a Lake County revival with two points from play to get his side going again.

Mark McHugh’s men weren’t going down without a fight and after Luke Loughlin converted a two pointer from play, sub Jack Duncan blew the game wide open with a goal.

Westmeath piled on the pressure but Robbie Forde saw his late effort hit the crossbar, with Ceilum Doherty notching the insurance point for Down.

The Mourne men were eight points ahead at the break with Ryan Magill goaling late in the half.

John McGeough’s goal on 44 minutes put them a whopping 13 points clear, but they ended up clinging on to make it three wins out of three after defeating Clare and Limerick in Round 1 and 2.

This was Westmeath’s first defeat after wins over Clare and Limerick.

Laois enjoyed a comfortable seven point victory over Sligo at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

They surged clear in the final quarter to grab their first win after an opening round draw against Limerick and a 0-23 to 0-9 hammering by Wexford.

This was just the response Justin McNulty would have been looking for, but for Sligo it was a major blow to their promotion hopes after a win over Fermanagh last time out and an opening round defeat by Westmeath.

Sligo led 0-3 to 0-0 early on but Riogan Murphy’s two pointer was followed by further orange flags from Brian Byrne and Evan O’Carroll as Laois took control, only for a 31st minute goal by Luke Cassidy to rock them back on their heels.

They didn’t let it effect them though and ran out convincing winners.