Allianz Football League Division Three

OFFALY 1-11 SLIGO 1-10

WESTMEATH 1-14 LONGFORD 1-10

LOUTH 0-10 DOWN 1-6

LAOIS 1-15 CARLOW 1-12

Laois will play their football in Division Two of the Allianz Football League in 2020 after they were promoted for the second successive year following a 1-15 to 1-12 win over Carlow. 

However, next weekend’s clash between Louth and Westmeath will be huge as one of these two sides are set join John Sugrue’s men in the second tier.

Down were beaten by Louth and they currently occupy second position in the Division Three standings, but they will miss out on promotion due to inferior scoring difference. 

It will be a straight shootout in the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda, next Saturday with the winners getting promoted, while a draw would be enough for Westmeath.

Laois’ win at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise was most significant today as it also relegated Carlow to Division Four next term.

Donie Kingston’s first half strike was pivotal as Carlow couldn’t recover following a 1-8 to 1-5 half-time deficit. Conor Lawlor scored the consolation for Turlough O’Brien’s side but they head back to Division Four at the first time of asking.

Carlow will join Sligo there, Sligo had been relegated prior to this and they couldn’t do Carlow a favour against Offaly at Connolly Park.

Sligo had lost six games in a row but were 0-7 to 0-5 in front at half-time in blustery conditions. They couldn’t hold out and lost 1-11 to 1-10. 

Niall McNamee found the net after half-time but the hosts battled and Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch’s goal should have salvaged a draw. However, in the third minute of added time substitute Mark Abbott popped up to fist the winner.

Down could have been promoted but instead they opened the door for Louth, as the visitors came to Páirc Esler in Newry and left with a narrow 0-10 to 1-6 victory.

Darren O’Hagan’s goal 17 minutes into the second half looked to have put Down in a position to edge out the win, but 0-5 from the impressive Sam Mulroy was enough to secure a fourth win of the league for Louth.

Fellow promotion chasers Westmeath had a much more comfortable 1-14 to 1-10 win against Longford in Cusack Park, Mullingar.

Westmeath were desperate to win to keep their chances alive, and Ger Egan was the match-winner once again as he struck 0-9.

Michael Quinn found the net for Longford, but Ronan O’Toole’s goal cancelled the out as Westmeath remained in contention, heading into the re-fixed Round 6 game against Louth.