Down to meet Wicklow in decider after edging past Meath

Allianz HL Div 2B, 3A and 3B

Two goals from Fintan Conway got Down off to a great start and while Meath kept in touch thanks to frees from Stephen Clynch and points from Willie McGrath, they never managed to get on terms with their hosts. Just one point was scored in a tense last 15 minutes of action, while a goal-mouth scramble in the closing stages was the nearest Meath came to producing a vital goal.

Wicklow produced a stunning second-half display to cruise past Fingal on a 3-32 to 2-8 scoreline at Arklow, with 2-21 of that total coming in the latter period. Mikey Lee struck their first major on the stroke of half time, while Andy O’Brien added 1-1 after his introduction as a substitute at the interval. Fingal will now play Armagh in the relegation final as the Orchard County fell to a 1-19 to 1-11 defeat against Mayo at the Athletic Grounds.

Roscommon secured their place in the Division 3A decider with a 3-14 to 0-10 victory over neighbours Longford at Athleague and while their victory always looked secure thanks to first half goals from Adrian Murphy and Micheál Kelly, this full blooded encounter precipitated the dismissal of four players, three from the home side. Roscommon free taker and leading scorer Gerry Fallon was one of three players who received a straight red card and his absence from the league decider could yet be critical.

The heavy margin of Longford’s defeat means that they were relegated and will hurl in Division 3B next year.

Donegal will face the Rossies in that decider after Enda McDermott’s second half goal helped them to a 2-15 to 1-15 win over Louth. Louth led by two at half time thanks to a major from Diarmuid Murphy, but points from Kevin Campbell and McDermott’s goal turned the tide shortly after the restart.

Fermanagh beat Monaghan by 2-15 to 1-11 in the other tie of the round.