GAA: NHL Division Two review

DIVISION 2A

Roscommon 1-13 Derry 2-05

Down 1-15 Westmeath 2-12

DIVISION 2B

Carlow 0-15 Kerry 9-13

Meath 2-09 Wicklow 2-14

Down head Westmeath by 0-1 on points difference in the Division 2A stakes after the visitors’ forward Andrew Mitchell missed a late scoring chance in a 1-15 to 2-12 draw at Ballygalget.

The Ulster men were 1-5 to 0-3 ahead after 15 minutes after Brendan McGourty had hit a smashing early goal and point, with Down’s Simon Wilson and Johnny McGrattan also finding their range.

But a Daniel Carty goal and a rally of points from Barry Kennedy kept Westmeath in the hunt at 1-9 apiece at the break.

McGrattan’s excellent form from the placed ball put Down into a three-point lead with only minutes remaining.

A speculative hit forward by Westmeath’s Brendan Murtagh found its way through to Kennedy (1-5) who neatly tucked away the equalising score. Mitchell’s attempted winner, a ’65, went wide in injury time.

Derry are rooted to the bottom of the table after they lost their way against Roscommon, 1-13 to 2-05 at Athleague.

Roscommon, who were idle last weekend, raced into a 0-7 to 0-5 lead at the break, and a Shane Sweeney goal four minutes after the restart had the visitors struggling.

Paul Cartan (51 minutes) and Rory Convery (65) goaled, with Convery latching onto a well-drilled Gregory Biggs pass, to give Derry some hope but their charge came too late.

Kerry head Division 2B by two clear points after their massive 9-13 to 0-15 defeat of Carlow at Dr. Cullen Park.

Skipper Shane Brick hit 3-6 as Causeway full forward John Mike Dooley claimed four goals and two points, having hit 3-1 at home to Mayo last weekend.

The Kingdom have mustered up a tally of 14-28 in two games so far. Wicklow are second behind them, having seen off the Meath challenge, 2-14 to 2-9 in Pairc Tailteann.