Down struggles continue with defeat by Roscommon

Down made a bright start with a point apiece from Darragh O’Hanlon and Connaire Harrison to lead inside the first seven minutes.

Roscommon hit back with Ciaráin Murtagh to the fore. The captain scored two from play and two frees in 10 minutes.

The home side led by five points at half time and they never looked like relinquishing the lead with a commanding second half display.

Fellow Ulster sides Monaghan and Donegal also suffered defeats yesterday.

Kerry eased their relegation worries by ending Donegal’s unbeaten record in a bad-tempered encounter.

Kerry’s Alan Fitzgerald and Donegal’s Leo McLoone were red carded in the first half. Peter Crowley grabbed a goal for Kerry in the 45th minute.

A Michael Murphy goal gave Donegal some hope, but Rory Gallagher’s men slipped to their first League defeat of the campaign.

Two late points from keeper Robert Hennelly helped Mayo earn their first win as they beat Monaghan 2-11 to 1-12.

In Division Two Fermanagh proved too strong for Laois winning 1-17 to 0-10.

Tomas Corrigan was the star, grabbing 1-11 - including 1-8 in the first half.

The corner forward set the tone when he fired to the roof of the Laois net in the seventh minute.

The Erne County were full value for their 1-10 to 0-4 interval lead and they continued to dominate after the restart when points from Aidan Breen, Corrigan, Barry Mulrone and Ryan Jones extended their advantage.

Antrim remain top of Division Four after winning in London. Kevin O’Boyle’s early goal proved decisive as the Saffrons claimed a 1-11 to 0-11 win in Ruislip. London battled back to level on three occasions in the second half before two late points from Conor Murray secured the spoils for the visitors.

On Friday evening, Tyrone beat neighbours Derry 2-15 to 0-12.

Second-half goals from Sean Cavanagh and Aidan McCrory helped Mickey Harte’s men retain their 100 per cent record in the second division.

Trailing 0-4 to 0-2 early on, Tyrone hit back to lead 0-10 to 0-6 at the break.

Cavanagh’s goal made it 1-13 to 0-9 to the hosts, then Derry had captain Chrissy McKaigue sent-off for a second yellow card offence late in the game. McCrory’s goal wrapped up victory for the Red Hands.

Cavan continued their rich vein of form to crush Armagh at Breffni Park 3-18 to 0-10.

Terry Hyland’s charges were in irresistible form again as goals from Seanie Johnston (1-5), David Givney and Gearoid McKiernan (1-5) propelled them out of sight.

NFL

Division 1

Roscommon 1-12 Down 0-06; Kerry 1-13 Donegal 1-08; Monaghan 1-12 Mayo 2-11

Division 2

Fermanagh 1-17 Laois 0-10; Cavan 3-18 Armagh 0-10; Tyrone 2-15 Derry 0-12

Division 4

London 0-11 Antrim 1-11