Football

Division One will have Ulster tint next season

Colin Walshe's late winner safeguarded Monaghan's Division One status for another year
Colin Walshe's late winner safeguarded Monaghan's Division One status for another year Colin Walshe's late winner safeguarded Monaghan's Division One status for another year

RELEGATION is a cruel blow in any circumstance, but it’s an all the more frustrating fate when dictated by the arbitrariness of scoring difference.

That was the experience of Kieran McGeeney’s gallant but luckless Armagh side on a tension-gripped final day of National Football League group matches. The Orchard county did all they could and then some to stave off relegation from Division Two, but their 1-18 to 0-15 win against Derry ended up counting for little in the survival stakes.

Derry, Fermanagh and Meath were the gleeful benefactors of the points difference rule, and Monaghan had a similar experience on a day that was – by and large – a happy one for Ulster sides.

Monaghan’s Colin Walshe snatched victory at the death against Donegal, safeguarding their status in the top flight for another year at Cork’s expense, again on score difference.

Malachy O’Rourke’s side stared into a three-point deficit and the prospect of certain relegation but reeled off the last four points of the game – and possibly landed a psychological blow on Donegal in the process, albeit Rory Gallagher’s men still made the semi-finals.

Mayo also finished ahead of Peadar Healy’s unfortunate Cork side with a hard-fought three-point win over Down, overcoming a late scare when Donal O’Hare goaled in injury-time.

In all, there will be four Ulster sides in the highest division next season. Tyrone sealed relegation well in advance and finish the round robin unbeaten with yesterday’s draw against Fermanagh. Terry Hyland’s Cavan side also make the move up. In front of a large attendance at Breffni Park, Cavan needed at least a draw against Galway to advance, and they didn’t disappoint with a 1-16 to 1-12 victory against the Tribes men.

Antrim, meanwhile, were assured of promotion no matter what happened against Louth yesterday, but perhaps they’ll be a little disappointed that their winning run came to an end as they shared the spoils with the Wee county.

NFL WINNERS AND LOSERS

Division One semi-finals


Down v Donegal, Kerry v Roscommon


Relegation


Down and Cork

Division Two Promotion 


Tyrone and Cavan


Relegation 


Armagh and Laois

Division Three Promotion 


Kildare and Clare


Relegation 


Westmeath and Limerick

Division Four Promotion 


Antrim and Louth