GAA: Tyrone and Derry leading the way in Division Two of National League

The Red Hands made it two wins from two after a 1-11 to 1-9 victory over Galway on Sunday and manager Mickey Harte admitted that there was room for improvement.

“It could have been more comfortable. At stages in the game we were totally in control, in control of the scoreboard anyway,” Harte stated.

“At a period in the first-half we were leading 1-6 to 0-2 and let them back into the game.

“That made it more difficult for us considering we were playing into a strong breeze in the second-half.

“But then you would have to give credit to Galway. They were going to have their purple patch at some stage. When they did get it they made it pay.”

On Saturday, Derry edged out Cavan by a single point 1-12 to 1-11.

Cailean O’Boyle got the all-important goal at the start of the second half but a Michael Argue goal at the three-quarters stage brought Cavan level before Cian Mackey edged them into a 1-9 to 1-8 lead on 55 minutes.

Three points from Mark Lynch - including the winner from a 65th-minute free - and one from Shane Heavron got the Oak Leaf County over the line as they defeated Ulster opposition for the second weekend in a row.

In Divison One, Monaghan maintained their momentum by beating Down at Clones yesterday.

After a slow start, Monaghan burst to life with six points between the 17th and 24th minutes to take charge, but despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, they couldn’t put the game beyond the reach of a battling Down side.

The visitors forced their way into contention in the closing stages, but fell just short as they lost a second all-Ulster clash of the campaign.

In the same division Donegal secured a comfortable 10-point over Cork in Ballyshannon.

Tir Chonaill boss Rory Gallagher said; “It’s great to have won two and it is probably unchartered territory for ourselves in Division Oneover the last couple of years in particular.

“It’s very pleasing to have two wins on the board going into the break.”

On Saturday evening Armagh suffered a second Division Two defeat, this time at the hands of Laois.

Also in Division Two Tomás Corrigan scored 0-4 to help Fermanagh beat 14-man Meath in Brewster Park.

Antrim moved to the top of Division Four courtesy of Matthew Fitzpatrick’s late goal against Wexford.

Results
Div 1: Donegal 2-14 Cork 1-07; Monaghan 0-13 Down 0-11

Div 2: Armagh 0-15 Laois 1-13; Cavan 1-11 Derry 1-12; Fermanagh 0-10 Meath 0-06; Galway 1-09 Tyrone 1-11

Div 4: Antrim 1-06 Wexford 0-10