Donegal defeat Kerry for second league win

Donegal gained a measure of revenge from last year's All-Ireland defeat by Kerry as they claimed a 1-22 to 1-18 win over the Kingdom in their Division One clash in Ballyshannon.

Daire O Baoill's first-half goal proved a huge lift for Jim McGuinness' side and although Donagh O'Sullivan found the net for Kerry late on, Donegal took the win.

Also in Division One, Monaghan's early season woes continued as two goals in six second half minutes proved decisive for Roscommon who claimed a 3-16 to 1-16 win at Dr Hyde Park.

In Division Two, a thrilling battle at Breffni Park saw Meath snatch a late 2-17 to 1-18 win over Cavan who were undone at the death for a second week.

Fermanagh's wait for an opening win in Division Three continues as they went down 1-19 to 0-15 away to Sligo.

Antrim's hopes of a promotion push in Division Four are already hanging by a thread as they suffered a second defeat of the campaign with Tipperary recording a 1-13 to 1-9 win in Rathkeale.

The opening exchanges were back and forth, with Conor O'Donnell and Finnbar Roarty claiming the early scores for the hosts.

Kerry soon took the initiative, however, as Sean O'Shea confidently fired over a two-point free to level the scoring, followed by another free from Tony Brosnan to put the Kingdom ahead for the first time.

Donegal responded with slick passing and movement, Finnbar Roarty converting his second point to level the scores once more, while Daire O Baoill finished a swift counter-attack to put the hosts back in front.

The first half continued in high-tempo, end-to-end fashion. Tony Brosnan scored two brilliant two-pointers from open play, while Donegal remained in contention with points from Conor O'Donnell and Peadar Mogan. Michael Langan and Jason McGee were influential in midfield, driving Donegal's attack and helping them gain the upper hand.

As injury time approached, Donegal struck a decisive blow as O Baoill received a pass from the left wing, evaded the Kerry goalkeeper, and slotted a composed low finish to put the hosts ahead.

Conor O'Donnell and Peadar Mogan added further points to leave Donegal four points clear at the break.

After the restart, Donegal started confidently. Michael Langan extended their lead with a long-range two-pointer within the first minute, and Finnbar Roarty added another. Donegal's fluid passing continued to trouble Kerry, with Langan scoring a consecutive two-pointer before Roarty added a third.

Kerry remained resilient from behind, with Sean O'Shea, who had a standout performance, scoring four two-point frees and 11 points overall.

Yet Donegal's counter-attacking threat remained constant, with Daire O'Baoill and Michael Murphy converting key scores to keep the Kingdom at bay.

Substitutions also played a key role. Michael Murphy replaced Shea Malone to maintain Donegal's momentum, while Turlough Carr and Ultan Doherty made timely impacts.

Kerry did manage a late goal through Donagh O'Sullivan after Charlie Keating's assist, but Donegal's composure and structured play ensured they held firm as Jason McGee and Murphy added late scores to seal the win.

The final whistle confirmed a four-point victory for Donegal, giving them National League revenge for last year's All-Ireland defeat.

It was another disappointing day for Monaghan who fell to a second straight loss despite a bright start in Roscommon.

Louis Kelly and Enda Smith swapped early scores before Kelly hit the net for Monaghan and a two-pointer from Michael Bannigan soon after suggested a good afternoon fore the Farney men.

However, Roscommon hit back with a goal of their own through Smith and edged in front before the returning Rory Beggan - a late change for Gabriel Bannigan's side - converted a free.

It remained tight in the first half with Ryan McAnespie and Diarmuid Murtagh trading, but three Monaghan points through Bannigan, Gary Mohan and Andrew Woods helped them into a 1-8 to 1-6 lead at the half.

Roscommon were level soon after the restart through Dylan Ruane and Darragh Heneghan, while after an exchange, the Rossies were in for their second goal from Murtagh.

Woods hit back with a free for Monaghan, but a two-pointer by Daire Cregg preceded their third goal from Smith as Monaghan were left with a job to do.

Five was as close as they would get as a two-point free from Murtagh was another blow and although Eddie Walsh landed a two-pointer of his own for Monaghan, it only served as consolation.

When Cavan substitute Caoimhin McGovern kicked them ahead with less than two minutes to play, the Breffni Blues may have felt they were on course for victory over Meath, but the Royals had other ideas to snatch victory.

A Ruairi Kinsella goal in the 13th minute seemed to put Meath in control, but Geaoroid McKiernan led the Cavan response with a two-pointer.

Still, the gap was five when Cavan roared back with an Oisin Brady point before a flowing move culminated in a goal for Cormac O'Reilly and after an exchange of points, Dara McVeety locked the sides on 1-8 apiece at the half.

The teams swapped scores early in the second half before Oisin Brady edged Cavan in front for the first time since the opening minute, but the Breffni side were rocked by the concession of a 46th-minute penalty that Morris tucked away.

That goal was the difference entering the final quarter of play when Cavan mounted another charge with two McKiernan points and another from Gerard Smith to level.

Morris and McKiernan traded before James Conlon edged Meath back in front, while in a frantic finish, McKiernan fisted over to level and substitute McGovern seemed to have won it for Cavan.

However, Meath summoned a reply at the death with a two-pointer from Jack Flynn and Morris point to win it.

Declan Bonner's wait for a first league win as Fermanagh boss as his side lost out by seven points to Sligo in Markievicz Park.

The Ernesiders began brightly and led 0-5 to 0-2 early on with Garvan Jones - who finished with 0-7 to his name - contributing four of those points.

Shooting would let them down as Sligo grew into the game and were level approaching the break when Niall Murphy popped up with 1-2 - his goal coming from a penalty after he was fouled - helping establish a 1-7 to 0-5 lead for the Yeats men at the half.

Fermanagh ate into the gap and trailed by just two approaching the closing stages with Jones, Josh Largo Elis, Conor O'Hanlon and Ciaran Corrigan al landing fine scores.

However, they were unable to kick on as Sligo produced a strong finish with six of the final seven points to ensure they banked the victory.

Antrim are already staring a second season in Division Four in the face as they lost out for a second week, this time going down to Tipperary by four points.

The loss of John Carron to a red card just before half-time proved a blow for Mark Doran's Antrim who remain empty-handed after two games.

A two-pointer from Dominic McEnhill early seemed to lay down a marker for the Saffrons, but three points from Sean O'Connor edged Tipp ahead.

Another McEnhill two-pointer restored Antrim's advantage before they lost Carron to a 34th minute red card and a Cian Smith point brought the sides level at half, time, 0-5 apiece.

Tipperary hit the net three minutes into the second period through Daithi Hogan but Antrim remained in touch and a 59th-minute goal from Paddy McAleer brought them to within one.

That remained the gap with eight to play, but another three points late on for O'Connor sealed victory for the Premier as Antrim finished with 13 players with Pat Shivers shown a second yellow in added time.