News in Sport Blog
National League Overview
Gaelic Football
Division 1
Kerry and Armagh produced a thriller at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh, a back in forth contest that ended as a draw with Sean O’Shea’s late equaliser. This result saw Kerry claim their spot in the League final, with Armagh avoiding relegation to Division 2.
Donegal also booked their spot in the final after a dramatic 3-20 to 3-16 win over Monaghan. In an entertaining clash, Monaghan looked set to pull an upset on their Ulster rivals, but a late goal from Shea Malone put the result out of their sight.
Galway and Dublin produced a fiery game in Salthill, with the home side holding on for a 2-point win thanks to a 2 pointer from Rob Finnerty. With Dublin needing to win by 4 to stay in Division 1, meaning they will be playing their football in Division 2 next season.
Mayo were in impressive form against high flying Roscommon, putting out a statement against Connacht rivals with their 21-point victory.
Armagh 1-21 Kerry 0-24
Donegal 3-20 Monaghan 3-16
Galway 0-20 Dublin 1-15
Mayo 4-26 Roscommon 2-11
Division 2
Cork secured promotion with a hard-fought 0-22 to 0-19 victory over Tyrone, showing composure in the closing stages to get over the line. Tyrone will be disappointed with the result despite them being safe and staying in Division 2 for next season.
Meath also sealed their promotion after an impressive outing against Offaly, marking their return to Division 1 football for the first time since 2020.
Louth finished their league campaign off in style, defeating Leinster rivals Kildare by 3 points. While not being enough to force promotion, they will take positives from their league season.
Derry also finished strongly, holding off Cavan to claim a 1-20 to 0-19 victory. With the Oakleafers in a similar position, missing out on promotion, they finished strong in their season and will be building towards championship.
Cork 0-22 Tyrone 0-19
Meath 2-22 Offaly 0-18
Louth 1-25 Kildare 0-25
Derry 1-20 Cavan 0-19
Division 3
Laois handed Down their first loss of the league season in Pairc Esler, defeating the Mournemen by 4 points. It wasn’t enough for Laois to gain promotion, or impact the already promoted Ulster side.
Wexford secured promotion after edging Westmeath 2-16 to 1-18 in a closely fought contest. Substitute Sean Ryan proved to be the difference, coming off the bench to score two goals and seal promotion.
Sligo looked impressive in their win over Clare at home, with Cían Lally catching the eye, scoring 1-4 from play.
Limerick and Fermanagh played out an entertaining clash, with Limerick edging a 1-point win over Fermanagh, with both teams being relegated to Division 4 next season.
Laois 2-22 Down 0-24
Limerick 2-15 Fermanagh 0-20
Sligo 2-23 Clare 0-28
Wexford 2-16 Westmeath 1-18
Division 4
Carlow delivered a dominant performance to defeat Leitrim 4-22 to 2-05, sealing promotion in emphatic fashion.
Longford also secured promotion after edging a dramatic 2-21 to 2-20 win over Wicklow in a game that had the atmosphere of a championship encounter.
Antrim claimed a narrow 0-18 to 1-14 victory over London at home, finishing 4th and racking up an impressive 4 wins in a row to finish their league season.
Tipperary rounded off the weekend with a convincing 4-19 to 0-18 win over Waterford.
Carlow 4-22 Leitrim 2-05
Longford 2-21 Wicklow 2-20
Antrim 0-18 London 1-14
Tipperary 4-19 Waterford 0-18
Hurling
Division 1A
Cork powered their way into the league final with a devastating 6-26 to 0-20 win over Offaly. The Rebels made a host of changes throughout the game, with many adding to the scoreline off the bench.
Limerick joined them in the final after edging a high-quality clash with Galway, winning 2-27 to 0-31. Cathal O’Neill shone for the home side, scoring 1-6 from play.
Kilkenny and Tipperary renewed their rivalry to put on an entertaining contest, finished all level. Kilkenny avoided relegation through a late Jordan Molloy score.
Cork 6-26 Offaly 0-20
Limerick 2-27 Galway 0-31
Tipperary 2-27 Kilkenny 3-24
Division 1B
Dublin confirmed their promotion in emphatic fashion, dismantling Carlow 0-34 to 2-14 with a dominant all-round display. The Dubs’ scoring power proved too much, with 13 different players getting on the scoresheet.
Down pulled the shock of the round with a 2-point victory over Ulster rivals Antrim in Newry. A late Donal Hughes goal sealed the win, with Down already being relegated, this win will build momentum towards their Joe McDonagh campaign.
Wexford powered past Kildare 3-29 to 1-14 in a scoring exhibition. This will set Wexford up well going into the Leinster championship.
Dublin 0-34 Carlow 2-14
Down 3-22 Antrim 3-20
Wexford 3-29 Kildare 1-14
Division 2
Laois showcased their attacking strength with a 3-27 to 1-22 victory over London, Cormac Byrne was the pick of the Laois players, scoring 1-6 for his side.
Westmeath delivered a ruthless performance to defeat Mayo 2-37 to 1-14, a result that confirmed Mayo’s relegation after a difficult campaign.
Kerry secured promotion to Division 1B with a 6-point win over Meath. This is a major development for hurling in Kerry being back into Division 1.
Laois 3-27 London 1-22
Westmeath 2-37 Mayo 1-14
Kerry 2-18 Meath 0-18
Division 3
Donegal secured promotion to Division 2 with an impressive 3-20 to 0-19 victory over Roscommon, Richie Ryan was the difference, contributing with 2 goals.
Wicklow also sealed promotion in style, defeating Louth by 25 points. Corner Forward Fionn Darcy was on form, scoring 2-7 from play.
Armagh and Fermanagh played out a tightly contested draw, finishing level at 0-21 to 1-18 in a game that saw little to separate the sides. This game saw both sides get their first point of the league season, but will both be playing Division 4 next season.
Donegal 3-20 Roscommon 0-19
Wicklow 3-27 Louth 0-11
Armagh 0-21 Fermanagh 1-18
Division 4
Cavan edged a narrow 1-16 to 0-15 win over Monaghan in a competitive encounter, holding firm in the closing stages to secure the result.
Warwickshire just came out on top against Lancashire, winning 1-17 to 2-12 in a closely fought contest that went right to the wire.
Sligo finished their league campaign in style with a 17-point win over Longford and confirmation of their promotion to Division 3 next season.
Cavan 1-16 Monaghan 0-15
Warwickshire 1-17 Lancashire 2-12
Sligo 4-25 Longford 3-11
League of Ireland Soccer
Shamrock Rovers continued their strong form with a controlled 2-0 victory over Galway United, maintaining their momentum and climbing the league table.
Bohemians and Dundalk played out a tightly contested 1-1 draw, with both sides showing moments of quality but ultimately unable to find a decisive breakthrough. Despite losing points, Bohemians still sit top and have yet to be defeated.
Derry City and Drogheda United shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Brandywell, with both teams trading goals in a lively encounter. The home side were in control leading 2-0, but Drogheda fought back to take a point.
Shelbourne edged a narrow 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers, making the most of a key moment to secure all three points. A fantastic goal from Daniel Kelly was the difference between the sides.
Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Galway United
Bohemians 1-1 Dundalk
Derry City 2-2 Drogheda United
Sligo Rovers 0-1 Shelbourne