Fingal and Meath win in Division 3

NHL Division 3 round-up:

Fingal 0-15 Louth 1-8

Despite Fingal having top scorer John Matthew Sheridan (0-7) dismissed following a straight red card late in the game, the hosts held out to register a four-point victory over Louth in Division 3B of the NHL at Swords.

Sheridan's late strike on John Greville marred an otherwise top-drawer performance from the winners.

There was little to separate the sides in the opening 35 minutes with a goal from Diarmuid Murphy after 17 minutes the difference at the interval as the visitors claimed a 1-4 to 0-6 lead.

But Fingal turned the game in their favour on the restart thanks to the brilliance of Sheridan and Paul Garbutt, with half-forward Garbutt adding five points (four from open play).

Meath 1-19 Mayo 1-10

A sterling second half display from visitors Meath earned the Royals a nine-point victory over Mayo in Division 3A of the NHL at James Stephens Park, Ballina.

Meath free-taker Niall Hackett was in superb form and top-scored with

11 points, eight of which came from placed balls.

However this game was not all about Meath as a wind-assisted Mayo were very much in contention in the opening half.

A Stephen Broderick goal ensured the sides were level at 1-7 to 0-10 at the interval, but with Mayo missing dual star Keith Higgins and influential Galway native and Christy Ring All-Star Aiden Connolly, it was always going to be tough for the hosts.

Meath held Mayo to just three points in the second half as they fired over from all angles, firmly intent on claiming victory.

Hackett's brilliance, coupled with a goal from full-forward Joe Keena, left the small crowd without any doubt that the Royals would win out, with nine points the margin at the full-time whistle.