Liam Kerr continues to impress for Down. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Three
Down 4-12 Offaly 2-14
In a free-scoring encounter at Páirc Esler in Newry, Down came through a shootout to maintain their winning start to Division Three of the Allianz League, while Offaly remain rooted to the bottom of the table in advance of a relegation shootout against Wicklow next week.
The midlanders looked sharp in creating chances but will rue four missed goal opportunities, with three of those coming in the opening half. Liam Kerr’s early goal helped Down enjoy a slender advantage for most of the opening half. Which ended 1-7 to 0-6.
A well taken 42nd minute goal from Odhran Murdock put Down 2-9 to 0-7 up and it looked like the game was done and dusted when a ferocious effort from Liam Kerr made it 3-9 to 0-8 after 47 minutes. Offaly could have fallen away, but a Jack Bryant goal kept them alive, and it was quickly followed by another big swing moment.
Jordan Hayes almost rattled the net for Offaly and they were made to pay when Down netted their fourth on the counter through sub Ryan Johnson. Keith O’Neill hit back with a major for Offaly while Bryant kicked some fine scores late on, but Down held on.
Allianz Football League Division Four
Wexford 0-21 Waterford 1-7
Wexford produced an emphatic second half display to maintain their promotion push. John Hegarty’s men outscored their opponents 0-16 to 1-2 in the final 35 minutes of action as they moved through the gears to secure a victory that ensures Wexford can look up instead of over their shoulders for the time being.
The opening half was a tight affair with the sides level five times during the opening half. Sean Nolan kicked two neat scores for Wexford during that run while Stephen Curry fired over for Waterford as he came close to a three pointer.
The latters effort tied the game at 0-5 apiece, but a Graeme Cullen score helped Wexford by the minimum at the change of ends.
Wexford emerged a different side in the final period as they kicked seven points in a row during the first 17 minutes of the second half to effectively end Waterford’s hopes. Ben Brosnan and Glenn Malone combined for nine points on a day 10 players found the target for the winners.
All Wexford were missing was a goal with Malone seeing an effort fizz just over. Waterford grabbed a 74th minute goal but it only served as a consolation with Wexford securing the spoils.
