Leitrim's Damien Moran and Shane Quinn celebrate at Avantcard Pairc Sean MacDiarmada on Sunday.
By Cian O'Connell
Derry and Leitrim get the job done
It started with tension and worry, but relief and joy eventually was evident at Avantcard Pairc Sean MacDiarmada on Sunday.
Leitrim accomplished their promotion mission against a spirited London outfit, who battled from first whistle until last.
Injuries have disturbed Ciaran Deely's London in recent weeks, but they caused Leitrim significant difficulty as the assignment turned awkward for Leitrim.
Still Terry Hyland's improving outfit found a way to win a fifth successive match to secure a Croke Park date with Derry at the end of the month.
Derry will also be satisfied that their stint in the bottom tier didn't last too long.
Damian McErlain is trying to integrate promising young footballers into the Derry set-up and they claimed triumphs with the minimum of fuss.
It wasn't going according to plan initially at the weekend for Leitrim, who failed to score until Shane Quinn's 23rd minute goal.
That major settled the locals, but Leitrim still missed gilt edged chances throughout the match as reflected by their 1-9 from 27 attempts conversion rate.
Ultimately the only statistic that counted, though, was the final scoreline which was enough to ensure Leitrim supporters were able to enter the pitch celebrating an important occasion.
Hyland remains adamant that further progress can be made by Leitrim with their blend of youth and experience.
Gary Reynolds and Emlyn Mulligan have given Leitrim distinguished service throughout most of the past decade so it was heartening to see them rewarded.
A trip to GAA headquarters beckons and that is the stage on which Leitrim have craved to operate on for so long.
Barry Dardis netted the decisive late penalty for Meath against Kildare at Pairc Tailteann.
Meath stirring again
For Meath it is really beginning to get interesting now.
Manager Andy McEntee has made no secret about the fact that Division One status needs to be attained.
The Royals and Fermanagh currently sit on top of the pile with eight points, but Donegal and Kildare will still carry some hope into the remaining rounds.
On March 16 Meath travel to Cusack Park in Ennis for a tricky test, especially considering Clare need a positive result also.
The following week Meath collide with Fermanagh at Pairc Tailteann so important games are imminent which is exactly what McEntee wants ahead of the Leinster Championship.
In the previous two campaigns glimpses of Meath's promise were available, but a consistency and improved depth has been crucial in 2019.
Four victories from five Division Two fixtures is worthy of respect with the defeat arriving following a late lapse in concentration against Donegal.
How Meath have reacted to that setback augurs well and character was demonstrated in the dying embers when trailing to Kildare on Sunday.
Barry Dardis stayed cool and composed to plant the decisive penalty in the back of the Kildare net. The spoils gathered and Meath's momentum maintained.
Galway defeated Mayo at Elverys MacHale Park on Saturday evening.
Mayo's recent record against Galway
Back in May 2013 during James Horan's first spell in charge with Mayo demolished Galway. 4-16 to 0-11 it finished at Pearse Stadium.
Mayo celebrated furiously, to win so emphatically against the neighbours, meant a lot and while they won the next two Championship meetings the complexion has altered dramatically.
Since 2015 Mayo haven't defeated Galway in the Championship, League or Connacht FBD League.
While Mayo did outlast Galway in the All Ireland series of 2016 and 2017 the fact that Kevin Walsh's charges beat them those years hurt deeply.
It also means that new players being brought through into the Galway panel haven't tasted defeat against Mayo.
On Saturday evening at Elverys MacHale Park the howling wind meant the game would be a battle. When it culminated in another Galway success the visitors left Castlebar encouraged.
To have accumulated six points in Division One with so many established figures unavailable due to injuries and club commitments proves the distance Galway have travelled.
For Mayo it was a worrying loss following the Croke Park reversal against Dublin. Three wins on the spin brought confidence and hope, but two successive losses ensure Mayo will be examined further in the coming weeks and months.
Kerry's Tommy Walsh continues to impress following his return to the inter-county game.
Kerry finishing strongly
Peter Keane used the word structure when talking about what he wanted to find during the Allianz Football League.
That is only one of the things Kerry have put together during a splendid five match victorious run.
Monaghan did pose questions down south, but again Kerry were crafty enough to summon the necessary answers.
The promise of Sean O'Shea and Dara Moynihan, the influence of Tommy Walsh, and the direct running of Stephen O'Brien mean Kerry remain encouraged and hopeful about the future.
Keane was eager to use the January to March period for a variety of reasons. "It was about trying to find out where we are with players, trying to build a structure and see could you find a goalie, a corner-back, a full-back, a centre-back and so on," Keane stated in Killarney.
"We have been fairly consistent in the teams that we have put out, from 1-9, and are learning from that."
With that solid base being established and a winning habit acquired Kerry motor on loaded with belief. This was the latest in a burgeoning list of strong Kerry finishes adding further to the sense of satisfaction.
Another source of optimism is the fact that a string of marquee names are also due to return to the fold too following injuries.
Turlough O'Brien's Carlow registered an important win over Louth at Newatch Cullen Park on Saturday.
Division Three finely balanced
Only two rounds remain, but the tension is set to increase.
A fifth straight loss means Sligo are relegated to Division Four, but the other seven counties involved have so much to play for.
Down's fourth victory in a low leaves them nicely placed with Cory Quinn making a real statement at the weekend with a couple of tidy goals.
Westmeath will also take heart from the win in the north west against Sligo and the midlanders' panel is developing nicely.
Louth, despite losing to Carlow, and Laois are also still in the hunt too, while Longford and Carlow will also feel that two more triumphs could edge them into serious contention.
Offaly have only collected three points, but John Maughan's charges can still avoid the drop by finishing strongly.
A home match against Laois on March 16 will be a revealing 70 minutes for those teams, while the meeting of Carlow and Down matters deeply.
Whoever prevails in the Louth and Westmeath tussle will be ideally placed entering the last round, but Division Three continues to provide thrills and spills.
