Division 2A Results

Carlow 0-13 Kerry 0-20

Down 0-22 Kildare 2-17

Meath 1-15 Westmeath 4-23

With just two out of five rounds of games to play, all six counties in Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League are still in with a chance of both promotion and relegation, following Kildare’s narrow win over Down at Ballycran today.

Jack Sheridan’s brace of goals were the key scores for the Lily Whites, who just about held on in the face of an incredible comeback from the Mourne County.  

It was a commendable effort from the home side who trailed by 15 points at half time, but clawed their way back into the match. Kildare only managed two scores in the second period, but they held on for a last-gasp victory in an incredible competitive division.

Formlines being reversed was the theme of the division, as all three counties that won a fortnight ago came out on the wrong side this afternoon.

Carlow looked like they would buck that trend when they moved four points clear of Kerry at Netwatch Cullen Park, but inspired by Shane Conway, Kerry recovered from the second off of Eric Leen to dominate the final quarter and secure a 0-20 to 0-13 win.

In the other contest in the division, Westmeath dispatched of neighbors Meath with relative ease, finishing the tie 4-23 to 1-15 to the good. Niall Mitchell had the ball in the net after 17 seconds of play in Trim and the visitors pushed on from there to lead by 3-13 to 0-8 at the interval. Another for Mitchell, along with goals for Killian Doyle and Eoin Keyes, meant the result was never in doubt. 

Division 2B

Sligo 1-25 London 1-15

Wicklow 3-08 Donegal 2-16

Derry 4-24 Mayo 1-14

In Division 2B, Sligo were 1-24 to 1-15 victor over London in an often feisty affair – three red cards were brandished at the Connacht Centre of Excellence. Tomas Cawley had the sliotar in the net for Sligo as the home side looked to pull away in the second half, but London didn’t lie down.

Risteard Lombard’s goal for the Exiles meant the visitors were in for a shout as the game closed out, but ultimately Sligo held on. Meanwhile their neighbours, Donegal, had a successful trip to Aughrim, recording a 2-16 to 3-8 victory over Wicklow.

Bernard Lafferty and Ronan McDermott were among the goals for the Ulstermen. Davin Flynn was the key man, however: he scored Donegal’s last five points to see out their third consecutive win.

Meanwhile Derry cemented their credentials with a comprehensive 4-24 to 1-14 home win over Mayo. The Oak Leaf County set a marker down early on, racing to a 2-14 to 1-7 lead at the half-time break. Sean Kelly and Deaghlán Foley scored 1-3 and 1-4 respectively as Derry steamrolled their Connacht opponents in Owenbeg. 

Division 3A

Roscommon 4-20 Warwickshire 0-6

Tyrone 2-21 Armagh 1-14

Monaghan 2-8 Louth 0-7

Roscommon eventually exerted their superiority over Warwickshire in their Division 3A tie in Kiltoom, emerging as 4-20 to 0-6 victors in a game that was a lot closer than that for long stretches.

It wasn’t all plain sailing – the visitors were stubborn in their approach and frustrated Roscommon’s early attempts to wrap up the tie early. A 0-9 to 0-4 score-line at halftime might have raised a few eyebrows, but the Rossies emerged rejuvenated in the second period. Goals from Cathal Dolan, Conor Cosgrove, and a brace from Brendan Mulry copperfastened the victory.

The other clash in the division played today was a more tightly contested affair, with Tyrone eventually overcoming the challenge of Armagh, 2-21 to 1-14.

Rory Weir scored a goal and a point at the end of the first half to put Tyrone in the driving seat. Jim Shortt was on hand to find the net for Armagh not long after the restart, helping his side cut the gap to four points, but the Red Hand County pulled away as the tie worn on. The final nail in the coffin was a CJ McGourty goal, leaving Tyrone in a comfortable position to see out the tie.

Monaghan were able to see off Louth when they met on Saturday, securing a 2-8 to 0-7 victory. Thomas Hughes and Pearse McKenna provided the goals for Monaghan, while Louth’s Liam Molloy saw red for an off the ball incident.

Division 3B

Lancashire 3-11 Longford 1-26

Leitrim 1-13 Cavan 0-9

Longford defeated Lancashire 1-26 to 3-11 in their Division 3B clash at Abbotstown today. Longford held a commanding ten-point lead at the break, and stretched that through an Emmet Corrigan goal after 44 minutes before easing up. Finally, Leitrim overcame Cavan by 1-13 to 0-9 at the same venue on Saturday, with James McNabola scoring the game’s only goal.