Allianz Football League Division 3

WESTMEATH 0-13 OFFALY 0-12

CARLOW 1-11 SLIGO 0-7

LONGFORD 1-8 LOUTH 0-9

LAOIS 2-15 DOWN 1-12

By Declan Rooney

Westmeath got their Division 3 campaign off to a winning start at Tullamore, but they had to turn around a nine-point deficit to claim the victory against Offaly.

Played in very windy conditions, Offaly surged into six-point lead 15 minutes before the interval with Bernard Allen to the fore of the home side, but crucially Westmeath worked their way back to only trail by 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time.

Despite having the wind in the second period Westmeath struggled to pin Offaly back and they actually conceded the first four points after the break. But Ger Egan was sharp from placed balls and from open play, while Kieran Martin landed the winner – Westmeath’s tenth point in a row – at the death to break Offaly hearts in a 0-13 to 0-12 win.

Meanwhile, Turlough O’Brien’s Carlow celebrated their return to the third tier with a convincing 1-11 to 0-7 triumph against Paul Taylor’s Sligo at Netwatch Cullen Park.

Three Paul Broderick points helped Carlow into a three-point lead after 25 minutes, with Brendan Murphy also on target for the home side, but the key score of the game came three minutes later when Broderick’s 45 fortunately managed to find its way to the net with aid of a deflection for Carlow.

A couple of Niall Murphy frees and another Sean Carabine free kept Sligo in touch but they were unable to recover after the break, and with Darragh Cummins sent off on a straight red card 13 minutes from time there was no dream start for the new Yeats county manager.

Elsewhere, Robbie Smyth’s first-half goal proved to be a vital score as Longford managed to hold on for a 1-8 to 0-9 win against Louth in Drogheda.

That goal and a couple of Smyth points put Longford 1-3 to 0-3 ahead at the interval, but two Ryan Burns points and a third from Sam Mulroy had Louth level by the 46th minute. With four minutes remaining Burns levelled matters again for Louth, but Longford kicked on to the win thanks to late points from Darragh Doherty and Nigel Rabbitte, after Louth had Tommy Durnin and Conor Early sent off.

And on Saturday night, Laois got their league campaign off to a stunning start with a 2-15 to 1-12 victory over Down at Pairc Esler. The O’Moore County trailed by five points early in the second half but goals from Colm Murphy and Paul Cahillane saw them run out big winners.

Allianz Football League Division 4

LEITRIM 3-15 0-11 WEXFORD

DERRY 1-10 1-9 ANTRIM

LIMERICK 0-11 0-10 LONDON

By Daragh Small

Terry Hyland’s reign as Leitrim manager got off to the best possible start when Ryan O’Rourke scored 2-7 in an outstanding 3-15 to 0-11 National Football League Division 4 win over Wexford at Páirc Sean MacDiarmada in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Wexford had the better of the chances in the opening half but they could only earn a 0-7 to 0-6 half-time lead, and Leitrim took complete control in the second half.

O’Rourke scored two points to give Leitrim the lead initially but they were pegged back and five points in a row ensured Wexford were in command. They should have pushed on from there but Leitrim kept themselves alive in the game.

They only trailed by one point at the break and O’Rourke drew the sides level straight away, before seven into the second half he won a penalty. O’Rourke also stepped up to slot the resultant kick and Leitrim were in front.

They never looked back and moments later O’Rourke scored his and Leitrim’s second goal as the game got away from Wexford. Dean McGovern set up Darragh Rooney for Leitrim’s third goal in the 48th minute. A superb start to the league for the Connacht county.

Enda Lynn missed a late penalty but Padraig Cassidy’s fisted point ensured Derry also began the league with a win. They beat Ulster rivals Antrim, 1-10 to 1-9, at Corrigan Park in Belfast.

Antrim trailed by 0-6 to 0-1 at half-time but they launched a second half fight back and were unlucky not to get the win.

Shane McGuigan scored a penalty for Derry as they went further in front on the resumption but the hosts showed their resilience from there. Paddy McBride’s goal gave them hope but it wasn’t enough in the end.

Limerick edged a narrow 0-11 to 0-10 victory over home side London at Ruislip to get their campaign off to a winning start.

The teams were level at 0-5 to 0-5 at half-time. London had the early initiative when they took a 0-4 to 0-1 lead before Limerick fought back.

Efforts from Sean McSweeney and Tommie Childs helped them draw level by half-time. Liam Gavaghan scored a late point but Limerick’s experience told in the closing stages.

Wicklow won the opening Division 4 fixture on Saturday when goalkeeper Mark Jackson landed the crucial free for John Evan’s men, in a 1-7 to 0-9 defeat of Waterford at Fraher Field.