Sunday’s fixtures:
NFL Division 1 – Roscommon 2-20 Donegal 0-20 (FT); Monaghan 2-9 Galway 1-20 (FT)
NFL Division 2 – Offaly 3-15 Cavan 2-20 (FT)
NFL Division 3 – Clare 2-17 Wexford 1-23 (FT); Sligo 0-21 Down 2-24 (FT); Westmeath 4-21 Limerick 3-8 (FT)
NFL Division 4 – Waterford 0-11 Antrim 4-18 (FT); Leitrim 3-19 Longford 1-15 (FT); Wicklow 3-19 Tipperary 0-13 (FT)
NHL Division 1A – Waterford 1-23 Tipperary 2-24 (FT)
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Thanks so much for joining us throughout the day for the penultimate round of the National Football League. Join us again next week for the helter-skelter end to the leagues, with everything to play for in the top tier. See you next week!
Waterford were relegated back to Division 1B after their four-point loss to Tipperary at home today. Seán Moran was at Walsh Park, where the Premier County made an impressive second half comeback.
[Waterford relegated from Division 1A after second-half slump against Tipperary]
Ian O’Riordan was at Dr Hyde Park, as Roscommon finished strong to overcome Donegal, becoming the first side to beat the All-Ireland finallists in the league this year.
Gerry Buckley reports, as Down win promotion to Division 2.
[Down seal return to Division 2, Wexford and Westmeath set up final-round showdown]
And here is the Division 2 table, as there are four teams in with a shout of promotion.
The reports from the earlier fixtures are starting to come in. Offaly went down in Division 2 after late drama gainst Cavan.
[Cavan narrowly avoid defeat to relegate Offaly from Division 2]
This weekend’s results mean that everyone has something to play for on the final week of Division 1. Galway need to avoid defeat Dublin to stay out of the relegation zone, while Dublin and Armagh will both be chasing wins to get themselves clear. At the other end, Mayo, Roscommon, Donegal and Kerry can all still qualify for the Division 1 final.
Here’s the table with a round to go, courtsey of GAALeagueTables on X (formerly Twitter).
Full-time: Monaghan 2-9 Galway 1-20
Monaghan never got going, and they really haven’t throughout the league campaign. This confirms their relegation.
Galway now sit two points above relegation, with Dublin left to play next week.
72 Mins: John Maher is named man of the match, but really you could have had your pick of the Galway scorers. Monaghan 2-9 Galway 1-20
69 Mins: Goal for Monaghan! Mícheal McCarville with the finish, and it’s a beauty. He was lucky that the ball broke out to him, but there was nothing lucky about the finish. Monaghan 2-8 Galway 1-20
66 Mins: Another couple of wides from Monaghan sums up their day out today. Monaghan 1-8 Galway 1-20
62 Mins: Rory Beggan makes a brilliant save from Costello, but the ball breaks back out to Finnerty, who curls a beauty of a point over. Monaghan 1-8 Galway 1-20
59 Mins: Finnerty sends Ryan O’Toole to the shops with a dummy hop and slots a two-pointer. Monaghan 1-8 Galway 1-19
57 Mins: Finnerty adds a two-pointer and then the sub Colm Costello gets a good score off his left. Next it’s Paul Conroy’s turn, as he blasts a two-pointer over. Monaghan 1-8 Galway 1-17
55 Mins: Seán Kelly skins his man and is one-on-one with Beggan, but the Monaghan ‘keeper does a good job of flicking it over. Monaghan 1-8 Galway 1-12
53 Mins: A couple of really important scores for Monaghan. First, Beggan kicks a two-point-free, and then O’Hnalon kicks a peach off his left. Monaghan 1-8 Galway 1-11
51 Mins: A lovely two-pointer from Paul Conroy, who has come on for Galway. Monaghan 1-5 Galway 1-11
48 Mins: Lovely score from Darcy, who eases past his man and strikes it over on the right. Monaghan 1-5 Galway 1-9
46 Mins: John Maher goes through the gears, plays a one-two with Seán Kelly, and fists one over. Monaghan 1-5 Galway 1-8
45 Mins: Rob Finnerty gets a nice score, wriggling free from the Monaghan defenders and popping it over. Bannigan gets a fisted point to keep it to two. Monaghan 1-5 Galway 1-7
41 Mins: GOAL for Monaghan! Dessie Ward is on the end of a fortuitous break, takes a touchon the deck, and then slots it into the top corner so casually. Lovely soccer style finish. Monaghan 1-4 Galway 1-6
37 Mins: Back underway now in Inniskeen. Matthew Tierney gets the first score of the half with a nice kick on the turn. Monaghan 0-4 Galway 1-6
36 Mins: No hooter system, so two minutes of added time here. Monaghan kick the ball straight to Oisin Mac Donnacha an in their own half, under no pressure, and he races through on goal. His effort is clearly foot-blocked by Daragh McElearney, but it’s not given.
Half-time: Monaghan 0-4 Galway 1-5
That was a poor half of football.
31 Mins: Rory Beggan slashes at a two-point attempt from play. Nothing going right for the Farney men. Monaghan 0-4 Galway 1-5
29 Mins: Finnerty pops a free over. Then Céin Darcy plucks a ball out of the sky in a huge crowd, and Tierney finishes the move with a fisted point. Monaghan 0-4 Galway 1-5
27 Mins: Galway only had two up in the half, so McCarron gets a chance for the ideal two-pointer. It goes wide. Not much going right up fron for Monaghan. Monaghan 0-4 Galway 1-3
25 Mins: Ryan O’Toole makes a great run forward, is found by Dessie Ward, and then picks out Bannigan inside. He decides to go for the point, but there was a half chance of a goal. Monaghan 0-4 Galway 1-3
23 Mins: Rob Finnerty wins a free and then puts it over. Andrew Woods then drops a short really badly short. Monaghan 0-3 Galway 1-3
20 Mins: Rory Beggan does well to clean up when a free drops short. McCarron goes for a speculative two-point attempt, but it doesn’t curl around in time. Monaghan 0-3 Galway 1-2
15 Mins: A nice score for Mícheál Bannigan, flicking it up and curling it over.
Goal for Galway! John Maher breaks through the Monaghan defence, feeding McHugh, and his pass finds Oisin Mac Donnacha who blasts it home. Monaghan 0-3 Galway 1-2
13 Mins: Matthew Tierney pops the first score of the game, but McCarron replies with a two-point-free. Dylan McHugh levels matters a minute later. Monaghan 0-2 Galway 0-2
Seán Moran’s last update from Walsh Park is with us now:
Waterford 1-23,Tipperary 2-24
“Huge disappointment for Waterford, who lost their place in hurling’s top flight after their last fixture of the season ended in a four-point defeat against All-Ireland champions Tipperary.
The home side led by eight at the break, 1-17 to 1-9, having harnessed a strong wind but they were also hungrier and more committed to the contest. Liam Cahill must have had strong words in the half-time dressing-room because Tipp came out with a transformed attitude and any rustiness caused by returning players shaken out of their system.
Four points on resumption, Stefan Tobin twice, Conor Stakelum and a 65 from Jason Forde halved the deficit before Waterford got on the board and the comeback felt inevitable.
The critical score came in the 58th minute when replacement Gearóid O’Connor was on hand to apply a fine finish after an urgent run at the Waterford defence by Jake Morris had opened up the opportunity.
The verdict wasn’t fully in until the end and it took a surgical intervention in injury-time by Bryan O’Mara to cut out a ball across the Tipp goal by Dessie Hutchinson to prevent what would have been an equalising goal. A couple of frees by Darragh McCarthy saw it out for the visitors.
It was just about deserved but tough on Waterford."
10 Mins: Céin Darcy gets a super block on Jack McCarron, probably the highlight so far. Monaghan 0-0 Galway 0-0
7 mins: It’s been a quiet opening, marked by mistakes so far. Liam Ó Conghaile is the latest to hit a shot wide. Monaghan 0-0 Galway 0-0
4 Mins: Cian Hernon gets galway’s first chance of the day, and it’s a goal chance, too. However, his wild effort is blasted wide. Monaghan 0-0 Galway 0-0
2 Min: Galway-Monaghan is underway in Inniskeen. Obviously there’s a big wind behind Monaghan in the first half, as Beggan lines up a free off the deck from nearly 65 yards. It goes harmlessly wide though. Monaghan 0-0 Galway 0-0
Here’s the Monaghan team to start against Galway. No news on late changes.
And no news either on Galway’s late replacements.
Full-time NFL Division 2: Offaly 3-15 Cavan 2-20
Cavan leapfrog Kildare, to leave them and Offaly in the relegation zone.
Offaly are officially relegated back to Division 3.
Other full-time scores listed above.
Cavan have surely won it! A two-pointer from Ryan Donohoe is followed by a point for Emmanuel Shehu, leaving two in it for the visitors. 69 Mins: Offaly 3-15 Cavan 2-20
Full-time NHL Division 1A: Waterford 1-23 Tipperary 2-24
Goal for Offaly! Jack McEvoy put Offaly one in front, but Eoin Clarke has levelled it again. Then Jordan Hayes puts the Faithful County back in front. 68 Mins: Offaly 3-15 Cavan 2-17
Reuben Halloran’s free leaves just two between the teams, with four minutes of added time to go. Then Darragh McCarthy replies. 70 Mins: Waterford 1-23 Tipperary 2-23
Cavan sneaked in front through Paddy Lynch, but O’Neill has a quick response to level things again. 63 Mins: Offaly 2-14 Cavan 2-14
Ciarán Brady’s point had Cavan’s noses in front in Offaly, but Kieth O’Neill has levelled it. Finely poised with 10 minutes left. 60 Mins: Offaly 2-13 Cavan 2-13
Tipperary have a slim lead with five left to go in Walsh Park. 65 Mins: Waterford 1-22 Tipperary 2-20
Here are the highlights of a cracking contest in Dr Hyde Park.
A Ronan Wallace goal has finished Westmeath-Limerick as a contest. 62 Mins: Westmeath 4-15 Limerick 3-8
A Ryan Donohoe goal and a Tiarnan Madden two-pointer have levelled things in the Division 2 Offaly-Cavan clash that could have major sway on relegation to Division 3. 55 Mins: Offaly 2-12 Cavan 2-12
Down have pulled in front of Sligo with a goal by Ceilum Doherty. 55 Mins: Sligo 0-19 Down 1-18
Goal for Tipp! They hit the front, as Jake Morris unselfishly feeds Gearoid O’Connor, who strikes it under the onrushing Billy Nolan. Then Halloran levels matters with a free. 59 Mins: Waterford 1-21 Tipperary 2-18
John McGrath cracks a super score over on the spin, leaving one between the sides, but Reuben Halloran strikes back for the Déise. 56 Mins: Waterford 1-20 Tipperary 1-18
Full-time: Roscommon 2-20 Donegal 0-20
What a win for the Rossies, holding off Donegal and then finishing really strongly to take the two points. That gives them a shot at making the Division 1 final in the last weekend of action.
Here’s the goal that sealed the win for the hosts.
Great score for Waterford through Seán Walsh, as he rounds a couple of defenders and pops it over. 51 Mins: Waterford 1-19 Tipperary 1-16
68 Mins: Roscommon chip over a free and look to have this one in the bag. Roscommon 2-20 Donegal 0-20
Diarmuid Egan has got what could be a crucial goal for Offaly’s hopes of survival. 44 Mins: Offaly 2-11 Cavan 1-10
66 Mins: GOAL for Roscommon! Enda Smith palms it home after a brilliant counter-attack. Credit to Shane Cunnane, who played a superb kick pass in behind when he could have kept the ball and played it safe. Roscommon 2-19 Donegal 0-20
65 Mins: Enda Smith makes a brilliant driving run to get in behind a fist a point for the Rossies. Roscommon 1-19 Donegal 0-20
Dara McVeety levelled matters with a two-pointer, but Dylan Hyland and Jordan Hayes have put Offaly two points in front again. 40 Mins: Offaly 1-11 Cavan 1-9
62 Mins: Jamie Brennan is the latest point scorer for Donegal, making it a one-point game again. Roscommon 1-18 Donegal 0-20
Seán Moran wrote that Tipp needed major improvements at half-time, which seems to be playing out now:
“All-Ireland champions Tipperary have plenty to do in the second half if they are not to be involved in a relegation dogfight in next weekend’s final round of fixtures. On a day of contrasting weather, spilling rain and bright sunshine, Waterford harnessed a strong wind to take the fight to their neighbours and lead by eight at half-time.
Liam Cahill had 11 of his All-Ireland starters lining out, captain Ronan Maher for the first time this campaign. There was a listless quality to their play, cast in stark relief by the home side – who desperately need the win to avoid losing their Division1A status after just a year and played that way.
Despite missing Stephen Bennett (among a host of others), they scored efficiently. Recently crowned club hurler of the year Dessie Hutchinson hit five and the marauding Shane Bennett go up from wingback for 0-4.
Waterford even survived what looked like a fatal blow when a quick 1-1 – goal from John McGrath and point by Jason Forde from a free – cut the margin to two. Instead, Peter Queally’s team dug in and Seán Walsh immediately replied with a goal and normal service resumed, as they rained points down to give them a 1-17 to 1-9 half-time lead.
Big improvement needed by Tipp."
59 Mins: Senan Lambe chips over a point on the left to put it out to a two-point game. Then Jamie Brennan wastes a brilliant goal chance, dribbling it badly wide. Roscommon 1-18 Donegal 0-19
Billy Nolan prevents John McGrath from flicking home a second goal of the afternoon. It’s been a good restart for Tipp. 38 Mins: Waterford 1-17 Tipperary 1-12
58 Mins: McGee leaves the minimum between the teams with a pointed effort. Worryingly, Ruaidhri Fallon is off injured for Roscommon. Roscommon 1-17 Donegal 0-19
56 Mins: Enda Smith is stripped of possession, and Donegal get a score through Conor McCahill. Roscommon 1-17 Donegal 0-18
54 Mins: Roarty gets a cracker of a two-pointer, cutting across the ball perfectly. Three in it again. Roscommon 1-17 Donegal 0-17
53 Mins: This has been a good little purple patch for Roscommon. This time Ronan Daly breaks the line and is hauled down by Roarty, giving Murtagh a handy free. Roscommon 1-17 Donegal 0-15
51 Mins: Roscommon do well to hold onto possession for a couple of minutes. Eventually Conor Hand gets on the ball, and drives it over the bar. They manage two-in-a-row then, thanks to Enda Smith. Roscommon 1-16 Donegal 0-15
48 Mins: Jason McGee chips over a score, leaving a goal between the teams. Then Conor O’Donnell fires one over with the left. Roscommon 1-14 Donegal 0-15
45 Mins: Michael Langan kicks a two-pointer for the visitors. The rain is gone now thankfully, but Roscommon still have a big task trying to keep a hold of this lead. Roscommon 1-14 Donegal 0-13
Half-time, NHL Division 1A: Waterford 1-17 Tipperary 1-9
NFL Division 2: Offaly 1-9 Cavan 1-6
Other half-time scores will be listed above.
Full-time Division 3: Clare 2-17 Wexford 1-23
41 Mins: Conor Carroll’s kickout is blowing directly back into his face now, and Roscommon look trapped. Malone pops a two-pointer with ease. But the Rossies work the ball up through the hands quickly, and Keith Doyle gets a good point. Roscommon 1-14 Donegal 0-11
Waterford have the lead out to eight now. 31 Mins: Waterford 1-15 Tipperary 1-7
39 Mins: There’s one minute of sunshine at the Hyde, where Shea Malone scores a peach, but then the torrential rain is back. There’s players literally shielding their faces as they run into the wind. Mad stuff. McGee kicks a two-pointer from outside the 45 that probably had another 15 yards on it. The lead looks very small. Roscommon 1-13 Donegal 0-9
Clare keep reeling in Wexford in their Division 3 promotion clash. 63 Mins: Clare 2-17 Wexford 1-23
A good run of score has Offaly in control of the crucial relegation game in Division 2. Offaly 1-9 Cavan 1-3
Sean Walsh hits back for the Déise, as they go seven in front. 25 Mins: Waterford 1-12 Tipperary 1-5
John McGrath has struck a goal for Tipperary to get them back into the game. 21 Mins: Waterford 0-10 Tipperary 1-4
Ian O’Riordan is at Dr Hyde Park, as Roscommon take a healthy half-time lead:
“At times playing into a hailstorm and a hurricane, Donegal have found themselves trailing Roscommon by 11 points at half-time in their Division One meeting at Dr Hyde Park, 1-13 to 0-5.
The conditions were at their worst for the opening 10 minutes, during which Enda Smith scored two two-pointers for Roscommon. Then on 13 minutes Diarmuid Murtagh finished off a counter-attack move and from there Donegal were left chasing.
Struggling badly under their own kick-outs, Donegal were down 1-13 to 0-3 on the half-hour mark, before responding with the last two scores of the half, a 45 from goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany, and the first from play by Michael Murphy.
Donegal will have that hurricane in the backs for the second half, still have a lot to do to maintain their unbeaten record."
Westmeath are well among the contenders for promotion in Division 3, and they are currently level with second-bottom Limerick. 14 Mins: Westmeath 2-4 Limerick 2-4
Oisin Brady hit the back of the net for Cavan, but the hosts have struck back through Aaron Leavy. 11 Mins: Offaly 1-2 Cavan 1-2
Dessie Hutchinson has three points now, as Tipperary have opened their account in Walsh Park. 13 Mins: Waterford 0-7 Tipperary 0-2
Division 3 leaders Down trail by a point after 10 minutes in Sligo. The hosts will have one eye on the relegation zone below them and the other on the second promotion slot. 10 Mins: Sligo 0-4 Down 0-3
Half-time: Roscommon 1-13 Donegal 0-5
Gavin Mulreany and Michael Murphy get late points for Donegal.
In Division 2, the must-win relegation clash between Offaly and Cavan is underway. 6 Mins: Offaly 0-2 Cavan 0-1
32 Mins: A major chance comes and goes for Donegal, as Jason McGee’s low, trickling effort goes just wide. Then another huge chance, but McCahill’s effort is saved brilliantly by Conor O’Carroll. Roscommon 1-13 Donegal 0-3
A quick start for the Déise who have the wind at their backs in the first half. Dessie Hutchinson with the latest score. 5 Mins: Waterford 0-3 Tipperary 0-0
30 Mins: Colm Neary gets a second point in a row, very stylishly for a corner-back. Roscommon 1-13 Donegal 0-3
29 Mins: Diarmuid Murtagh gets a two-point free, and then Robert Heneghan puts over a point where there was half a chance of a goal. Then Colm Neary adds a point of his own; a good run for the Rossies. Roscommon 1-12 Donegal 0-3
Seán Moran is at Walsh Park as Waterford-Tipp throws in in Division 1A hurling:
“The Division 1A match in Azzuri Walsh Park, postponed from last week, has big relegation implications. Lose and Waterford drop straight back to Division 1B. Tipperary need the points to ensure that next week’s finale against Kilkenny doesn’t turn into a relegation play-off.
The teams are much as named for last week’s original fixture. Peter Hogan comes in for a Waterford team, severely undermined by injuries, in place of Jack Fagan.
Liam Cahill makes two changes to the Tipperary match-day panel. Hurler of the Year John McGrath starts instead of his brother Noel and another All-Ireland medallist Michael Breen returns to action, replacing Brian McGrath in the panel and Darragh McCarthy, who reverts to the bench, in the starting team.
Changeable weather but at present with the crowd gathering, the sun is out."
24 Mins: Gavin Mulreany stopped a kick pass reaching Eoin Ward, who was clean through a couple of minutes ago, and the replay shows that he handled the ball clearly on the ground to prevent the goal chance.
Back in real time, Murphy chips over a free, and then Senan Lambe responds for the hosts. Roscommon 1-8 Donegal 0-3
23 Mins: Donegal work another goal chance, with O’Donnell bearing in on goal, but it’s well stopped by the Roscommon defence, and Keith Doyle knocks over a two-pointer down the other end afterwards. Roscommon 1-7 Donegal 0-2
Tipperary make two changes to their starting lineup, with John McGrath and Michael Breen coming in for their clash against Waterford (2pm throw-in).
18 Mins: Senan Lambe nearly breaks the line for a goal chance, but Langan dispossesses him brilliantly. Donegal nearly make a goal chance then, but it’s punched clear by the Rossies. Roscommon 1-5 Donegal 0-2
16 Mins: Diarmuid Murtagh chips over a free that was won through putting great pressure on the Donegal defence. Roscommon 1-5 Donegal 0-2
15 Mins: Mulreany makes a big save after Enda Smith got in behind the Donegal defence. Roscommon are doing a great job of getting the ball up the pitch and making chances, but they will probably need to be a lot more clinical to win this one, as Smith drops another short. Roscommon 1-4 Donegal 0-2
13 Mins: Goal for Roscommon! Diarmuid Murtagh taps home a ball squared across the face of goal. Very good counter-attack from Roscommon after they turned over O’Donnell. Roscommon 1-4 Donegal 0-2
11 Mins: Daire Cregg has hit wides back-to-back, and he’d be disappointed with both. Donegal are getting good pressure on the Rossies high up the pitch, and on the shooters at the other end. Roscommon 0-4 Donegal 0-2
Half-time: Wexford 1-18 Clare 0-6
Waterford 0-4 Antrim 2-13
6 Mins: The sheets of rain are thankfully gone now. Conor O’Donnell chips over a good score on his left. From the next kickout he’s taken out from behind, giving Mulreany a two-point chance, but it drops short against the wind. Roscommon 0-4 Donegal 0-2
5 Mins: If conditions were difficult a minute ago, then they’ve turned biblical now. Donegal keep recycling possession as they can’t get in close enough for a reasonable shot. Eventually, they work a goal chance, but the effort is cleared off the line, and Roscommon boot it up and work it to Smith for a two-pointer. Roscommon 0-4 Donegal 0-1
3 Mins: Donegal reply straight away with a point from Conor McCahill. Conditions look pretty shoclking at the minute it has to be said, with the rain pouring and a strong wind. Roscommon 0-2 Donegal 0-1
1 Min: And we’re underway at the Hyde for Roscommon-Galway. Both teams are playing in their alternate kits. Enda Smith makes an incredible start, kicking a monster of a two-pointer inside 30 seconds. Roscommon 0-2 Donegal 0-0
And Wexford have pulled way in front in their Division 3 promotion clash in Cusack Park. 27 Mins: Clare 0-5 Wexford 1-12
A great start for Antrim in Division 4. 25 Mins: Waterford 0-1 Antrim 1-6
Wexford have a very slim lead over Clare in Division 3. 17 Mins: Clare 0-3 Wexford 0-4
And here’s the changes for Roscommon. Niall Higgins, Conor Hand and Eoin McCormack all come in.
Michael Murphy starts for Donegal! That’s one of three changes for the Ulster champions, as Peadar Mogan replaces Paul O’Hare and Max Campbell replaces Jamie Brennan.
10 minutes in at Cusack Park and it’s all level. 10 Mins: Clare 0-2 Wexford 0-2
The first games of the day are just getting underway in Divisions 3 and 4. Clare and Wexford face off, with both vying for promotion to Division 2, while Waterford and Antrim will be trying to add some points after disappointing campaigns in the bottom tier.
After Armagh’s comeback win over the Dubs last night in HQ, it seems a long time since the days of the six-in-a-row and calls for the county to be split up. Kevin McManamon tells Gordon Manning that, even then, those calls were “nonsense”.
‘We were being baited’: Kevin McManamon had no time for calls to split Dublin in two
Seán Moran has done his previews for the weekend’s action, as he sees Donegal sealing their place in the Division 1 final this afternoon.
[This weekend’s GAA league previews, throw-in times and TV details, including Kerry v Mayo]
An interesting story from Gordon Manning, as archival commentary from GAA matches is being used to help treat people with memory issues.
[‘Reminiscence therapy’: How recordings of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh are helping dementia patients]
Hello and welcome to live coverage of week six of the National Football Leagues. It’s the penultimate week of the leagues, so the promotion and relegation races are in full flow now. In Division 1, Donegal look to continue their undefeated run and regain top spot, as they face Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park (1.30pm). The day’s other top tier action sees the two bottom sides - Galway and Monaghan - face off (3.45pm), although a win for Galway would see them leapfrog Dublin and Armagh.
There’s only one hurling fixture today, as the rescheduled Tipperary-Waterford fixture gets underway at 2pm. Stay tuned throughout the day for updates across the country.
Just two weeks out from football’s league finals, the teams at the top of Division 1 are starting to string out. A win for Donegal today would see them guarantee a spot in the final, while Kerry’s hammering of Mayo yesterday made a rematch of last year’s All-Ireland Final a likelihood. Anthony Hennigan was at Austin Stack Park in Tralee.
Kerry put Mayo to the sword edging closer to league decider
