Football League Division 3 round-up

Meath will face Monaghan in the Allianz Football League Division 3 final on Saturday, April 27 after securing promotion today, while there were also wins for Sligo and Roscommon.

A year on from both Meath and Monaghan making the drop down from Division 2, the former Division 2 finalists are back in the league's second tier.

The Royals were 2-12 to 0-14 winners over Fermanagh at Pairc Tailteann in a keenly-fought encounter.

A Paddy Gilsenan point in the 70th minute was the insurance score. Fermanagh only needed a draw to reach the divisional final, but the hosts held out to book their place in the decider.

Fermanagh led by 0-10 to 1-6 with 26 minutes remaining, but Meath outscored the visitors by 1-6 to 0-4 in the closing stages.

Michael Newman (1-5) scored the goal that brought Meath to life. Tomas Corrigan (0-8) was particularly impressive in front of the posts for Fermanagh, while a Graham Reilly point tied the contest for the seventh time.

Within 13 minutes of his introduction Gilsenan netted Meath's second goal. Stephen Bray's third point pushed Meath four points clear - 2-10 to 0-12 - after 62 minutes and they had enough of a buffer to see out the win.

Meanwhile, Monaghan always looked likely winners in today's Ulster derby against Antrim in Clones where they posted a 3-16 to 0-13 victory in the end.

Conor McGuinness notched the hosts' first goal in the opening minute, with Kieran Hughes netting their second as they took a 2-9 to 0-7 interval lead.

Paddy Cunningham kept Antrim in touch with five first half points, but a third goal from Darren Hughes confirmed Monaghan's dominance.

Not even the second half dismissal of Kieran Hughes could knock Monaghan off their stride, as they claimed a 12-point win. The Saffrons are now condemned to Division 4 football for next yea.

Wicklow will also made the drop to the bottom division after Sligo ran out a 1-12 to 0-11 winners over the Garden County side at Markievicz Park. Adrian Marren struck six points for the hosts.

Roscommon emerged as 2-14 to 1-7 victors over Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park.

The visitors led by 0-4 to 0-0 early on, before Martin Dunne sent a penalty to the back of the net for Cavan.

Donie Smith, who had featured in last night's Connacht Under-21 final loss to Galway, traded points with Martin Reilly over the next few minutes.

A David O'Gara goal in the 33rd minute helped Roscommon to a 1-7 to 1-3 interval lead.

The visitors dominated the second half, adding a second goal nine minutes from the end, to run out comfortable winners.