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[Football National Football League]

13-03-2010 (Saturday)
Football National Football League
Round 4
Roinn I
Omagh 7.30pm Tír Eoghain v Corcaigh Setanta Ireland
Referee: David Coldrick (An Mhí)

Parnell Park 7.30pm Áth Cliath v Muineachán Setanta 1
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)

Celtic Park7.30pm Doire v Maigh Eo
Referee: Cormac Reilly (An Mhí)

Roinn II
Ballybofey 7.30pm Dún na nGall v An Dún
Referee: Pat McEnaney (Muineachán)

Roinn III
Breffni Park 7.30pm An Cabhán v Loch Garman
Referee: Jimmy McKee (Ard Macha)

Round 5
Roinn IV
Gaelic Grounds 7.30pm Luimneach v Port Láirge
Referee: Jer Lynch (Ciarraí)
National Hurling League
Round 3
Roinn II
Cusack Park 2.30pm Iar Mhí v Cill Dara
Referee: Fergus Smith (An Mhí)

14-03-10 (Sunday)
National Football League
Round 4
Roinn I
Pearse Stadium 2.30pm Gaillimh v Ciarraí TG4 (Deferred)
Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligeach)

Roinn II
Cusack Park 2.30pm An Iarmhí v Laois
Referee: Vincent Neary (Maigh Eo)

Crossmaglen 2.30pm Ard Macha v Cill Dara
Referee: Joe McQuillan (An Cabhán)

Thurles 12.45pm Tiobraid Árann v An Mhí
Referee: Tom Lynch (Ciarraí)

Roinn III
Markievicz Park 2.30pm Sligeach v Uíbh Fhailí
Referee: Frank Flynn (Liatroim)

Hyde Park 2.30pm Ros Comáin v Aontroim
Referee: Tomás Quigley (Áth Cliath)

Brewster Park, 2.30pm Fear Manach v An Lú
Referee: Martin Sludden (Tír Eoghain)

Round 5
Roinn IV
Dr Cullen Park 2.30pm Ceatharlach v Cill Chainnigh
Referee: Michael McGann (An Clár)

Pearse PK 2.30pm Longfort v Cill Mhantáin
Referee: Paul Kneel (Lú)

Ruislip 1.30pm Londain v An Clár
Referee: Paul Finnegan (Lú)

Liatroim - day off

[(Saturday)]

06-03-2010 (Saturday)

National Football League
Round 3

Roinn I

Cork 1-19 Gaillimh 1-17

Roinn II

Laois 0-12 Ard Macha 0-13

An Dún 0-14 Tiobraid Árann 1-11

An Mhí 1-12 An Iarmhí 2-08

Roinn III

Aontroim 0-16 Fear Manach 0-08

National Hurling League

Round 1 Re Fixtures

Roinn IIIA
Ard Macha 0-17 Maigh Eo 0-19

Roinn IIIB
Fingal 1-07 Cill Mhantáin 0-15

Roinn IV

Longfort 2-14 An Dún Theas 1-14

07-03-010 (Sunday)

National Football League
Round 3

Roinn I

Maigh Eo 1-08 Áth Cliath 1-09

Ciarraí 0-15 Doire 1-09

Muineachán 1-14 Tír Eoghain 0-16

Roinn II

Cill Dara 1-17 Dún na nGall 1-09

Roinn III
Loch Garman 3-07 Sligeach 1-06

Uíbh Fhailí 2-14 Ros Comáin 2-13

An Lú 0-13 An Cabhán 1-06

Round 4

Roinn IV

Port Láirge  0-10 Longfort 1-07

Cill Chainnigh 0-02 Londain 1-17

Cill Mhantáin 0-14 Ceatharlach 0-07

An Clár 2-12 Liatroim 0-17

Luimneach - no match


National Hurling League

Round 1 Re Fixture

Roinn I

Tiobraid Árann 1-14 Cill Chainnigh 0-13


Roinn IV

Muineachán 5-14 Fear Manach 3-07


09-03-10 (Tuesday)
National Hurling League

Round 1 Re Fixture

Portlaoise 8.00pm Laois v Cill Dara
Referee: Declan O'Driscoll (Luimneach)

Wexford 3-07 Sligo 1-06

The cluiche is 'ar an bhealach.'
After these adverts.

Squidward is in a bit of trouble.

Wexford 3-06 Sligo 0-06

Wexford 2-06 Sligo 0-06
20 minutes gone - 2nd Half.

Wexford down to 14.

Westmeath 2-14 Meath 1-11

FT

Westmeath 2-14 Meath 1-10

Westmeath 2-13 Meath 1-10

Westmeath 2-12 Meath 1-10

25 minutes - 2nd Half

ib

Westmeath 2-03 Meath 0-09

HT

[Meath 1-20 Armagh 2-17]

Stephen clinches draw
by Jimmy Geoghegan

Meath 1-20  Armagh 2-17

James Boyle in action for Meath against Armagh in the NHL Div 3A at Páirc Tailteann on Sunday.


There was a time when a hurling contest between Meath and Armagh guaranteed one result - and it wasn't a victory for the Orchard County.

Now times have changed and the transformation was clearly demonstrated in this contest at Páirc Tailteann on Sunday when a new-look Meath side struggled to keep in touch with a lively Armagh outfit in the NHL Div 3A.

Once again Meath, who made three changes from the team that beat London, turned to Stephen Clynch to come up with a little piece of magic and rescue them. This time around he produced the late point that earned the draw from the jaws of defeat.

What would Meath do without Clynch? His repertoire of skill makes him the type of player who would not be out of place with the likes of Tipperary, or even the Cats.

He conjured up six points against the tenacious Armagh side which included that late free that he converted from about 35 metres out to pull his side back on level terms.

Armagh would not have been flattered by a victory as they dominated for lengthy spells. They produced some fast-paced hurling and combined considerable know-how and skill with a determination that stretched their opponents.

The Ulster side enjoyed a 2-10 to 1-10 lead at the break and despite playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, Meath were unable to lift their game enough to stay with their opponents.

Last year Meath defeated Armagh, and with considerable comfort. This time around it was different and Meath will be glad of the point earned as they prepare for what promises to be a stern test against Kerry on Sunday week. Meath could be without Alan Nestor for that contest as he was carried off late in this contest with what looked like a nasty leg injury.

Sunday's game was almost four minutes into added time when Armagh's Cathal Carvill slotted over from long-range to edge his team one point in front.

His score was well-taken and would have been a worthy winner of any game.

The denizens of the press box - and doubtless some members of the paltry crowd - were expecting the referee to blow the final whistle. Instead Meath were allowed another roll of the dice.

The play moved on and Paul Fagan won the ball in his own half. He passed to Clynch who delivered onto Derek Muldoon who was fouled. At least Offaly referee Ciaran Groome thought so although some of the Armagh players protested vigorously.

Up stepped Clynch to easily split the posts with that easy style of his to earn Meath the draw and a league point that could yet prove crucial.

Most of the real drama in this contest was packed into the last 10 minutes or so with Clynch applying the finishing touch.

Maybe there was an element of taking things for granted in the Meath camp, but Armagh should not be underestimated this year as they were fit and eager and clearly well prepared.

At times TJ Reilly's men gave frees away too easily and they were all too often second to the loose ball. Armagh were also capable of taking the chances that came their way although if they had been a little more clinical Meath would have been staring at a certain defeat.

The balance of the play flowed both ways in the opening half and the sides were level a number times before Armagh took a decisive step forward after just nine minutes.

Their pacy forward Kieran McKernan lacked nothing in sharpness when he won possession close to the Meath goals and let fly with a stinging shot.

Stephen Quinn produced an superb save, but the sliotar broke kindly for McKernan and he rifled to the net from close range. Ger Enright found the net for Armagh for the second time just before the break.

In between Armagh's goals Meath also made the net dance. It was a product of an enterprising move they were capable of producing from time to time.

Mark Mullally and Kevin Keena were involved in getting the ball to Clynch who showed vision and perception to cross for the unmarked Peter Durnin who fired home from 20 metres.

Throughout the second-half every time Meath threatened to edge ahead Armagh hit back. On 63 minutes James Boyle stormed forward to score an excellent point. Immediately afterwards Armagh managed a fine score from Enright.

Neil Hackett ended up with seven points, five frees while Joey Keena and Horan were others to get on the scoresheet. The home side were also helped by gritty performances from Enda Fitzgerald, Michael Foley, Paul Fagan and Mark Lynch.

However it was left to the classy hurler from Kilmessan to slot over that late free that earned Meath a draw they just about deserved.

Armagh - J Burke; B Mallon, P McArdle, F McMullan; N Curry, P McCormack, B McCann (0-2); B Breen, K McKernan (1-1); R Gaffney, J Corvan (0-1), C Carvill (0-4); P Breen (0-2), G Enright (1-3), F Bradley (0-4). Sub - C McCann for Gaffney.

Meath - S Quinn; B Coughlan, E Fitzgerald, M Foley; M Horan, P Fagan, M Lynch; S Clynch (0-6), J Boyle (0-2); P Durnin (1-2), N Hackett (0-7), P Garvey; J Keena (0-1), N Horan (0-2), M Mullally. Subs - K Keena for Garvey, D Donoghue for Lynch, A Nestor for Hackett, D Muldoon for Nestor.

Referee - Ciaran Groome (Offaly).

[Kildare: 2-07]

National Hurling League Division 2 Round 2

Kildare: 2-07
Antrim 1-19

WHAT was expected to be a one-sided affair in Newbridge might at a glance of the scoreline have looked like that, but it was only in the final quarter that Antrim really imposed their will on this game.
Up until Neil McManus' 44th minute goal, Kildare were right on the Ulster side's coat-tails and indeed at half time, there was a sense that the hosts could spring a major shock, even if they were to face into the wind after the resumption.

For the Ulster men were not firing, due in no small part to the constant harrying and hassling of the Kildare players and in particular the defence, in which David Ryan and Paul Keegan had fine games.

They never really managed enough of a scoring threat however, although Tony Murphy and Martin Fitzgerald looked lively and had their moments.
In the end Antrim were just too streetwise, too quick, too cute and had a greater ability to shoot scores from distance.

There is a big step up in the pace of a game from playing Meath, Kerry and Mayo, to taking on a side like Antrim. That was very evident in the opening 10 minutes when five Kildare players - defenders and attackers - were blocked attempting a clearance or shot.

That is the learning curve of Division 2 however. There will be tough days but Carlow are an example of a side that used a similar experience to their benefit.

One lesson is that they must avail of the opportunities created at this level. In the first half, which they had the better of for around 20 minutes, they wasted some glorious opportunities.

To be fair, Antrim had some bad wides too, Liam Watson fluffing a close-in free that had to be seen to be believed.

Watson really cut loose after the interval though, when switched off the commanding Ryan, and finished with seven points, four of which came from play. With Neil McManus adding 1-7 and midfielder Shane McNaughton lofting three glorious points from play, Antrim built a tally that Kildare never looked like matching.

Something else management will undoubtedly look at is the number of scores Antrim got from frees – nine points. That tally could have been higher as McManus' radar went a bit askew in the first half as well.

Antrim opened the scoring with an early free from Watson but Lorcan Harney responded in kind, and might have had a goal as well but his mis-hit ground shot bobbled harmlessly wide.

The visitors looked to be getting a grip on proceedings when the ultra-sharp PJ O'Connell and Eddie McCloskey slotted nice points.

Kildare got a huge boost though when Fitzgerald's speculative shot from 30m flew into the net off the fingers of unfortunate Antrim goalkeeper, Ryan McGarry in the ninth minute.

McManus landed a free in response and then saw two piledrivers saved magnificently by Kildare netminder Paul Dermody.

Suitably encouraged, the hosts notched up a couple of points from Murphy and a Harney free from 65m and another Harney free just before the break gave them a 1-5 to 0-7 interval lead.

Dinny Cahill kept Antrim in the dressing room for a lengthy period at half time and whatever was said certainly seemed to have an impact as the Saffron men stormed out of the traps with four points in 80 seconds.
McNaughton began the flourish with a fine score on the run. Frees from Watson and McManus followed before Watson suddenly had his side three points clear.

Martin Fitzgerald stopped the rot with a neat finish but McManus (free and a wonder score by McNaughton from inside his half stretched the advantage further.

Kildare were given a lifeline when referee Seán Whelan awarded them a penalty, possibly for a tug on David Kennedy, and when Richie Hoban lashed a penalty to the roof of the net in the 43rd minute, the margin was down to the minimum.

Crucially though, McManus struck the net at the other end of the field within a minute of Hoban's strike. Ryan had given an eye-catching performance until then, but will be very disappointed by the ease with which the Antrim man danced around him, leaving Dermody with no chance.

From there to the end, it was one-way traffic. Kildare were deflated and Antrim used the wind to provide a scoring exhibition.

McManus and Watson shared their side's last six points evenly between them, the only riposte coming from Fitzgerald.

Salt was rubbed into the Lilies' wounds when wing-back Eanna O'Neill received his second yellow card, leaving them down to 14 men for the last five minutes.

Antrim:
Ryan McGarry; Stephen Shannon, Neil McGarry, Barry McFall; Aaron Graffan, Karl McKeegan, Ciarab Herron; Shane McNaughton 0-3, Simon McCrory; Thomas McCann, Neil McManus 1-7(0-6fs), Colm McFall; Eddie McCloskey 0-1, Liam Watson 0-7(3fs), PJ O'Connell 0-1. Subs: Martin Scullion for Shannon (ht); Conor McAllister for McCloskey (49)
Kildare:
Paul Dermody; Patrick Curtin, David Ryan, Paul Keegan; Paudie Reidy, Richie Hoban 1-0(pen), Éanna O'Neill; Michael Divilly, Neil Ó Muineacháin; Tony Murphy 0-2, David Kennedy, David Harney; Lorcan Harney 0-2(fs), Mark Moloney, Martin Fitzgerald 1-2. Subs: Colm Buggy for Divilly inj. (ht); John Houlihan for Harney (33); David Carter for L Harney (37); Paul Buggy for Moloney (50).

Referee:
S. Whelan (Wexford)