Galway and Mayo kept their unbeaten starts to 2015 intact, while NUIG and Sligo also recorded wins in the FBD League this afternoon.
Galway braved a strong second half comeback to secure a 0-13 to 1-9 win over Leitrim in Mohill.
On what was a special day for the locals, with the opening of the Philly McGuinness Memorial Park, the visitors had to withstand a strong challenge from the current FBD League holders.
Leitrim started brightly thanks to a point from local man Alan McLoughlin, but Galway took a firm foothold in the second quarter to move 0-9 to 0-4 ahead at half-time.
Shane Walsh, Gary O’Donnell, Danny Cummins and Martin Cody helping the Tribesmen to a five-point interval lead.
Kevin Walsh’s side were without their Corofin contingent, who will sit out the remainder of Galway’s games, during their involvement in the AIB Club Championship.
On the restart, Leitrim proved to be a much improved side, as Galway looked edgy, with Shane Walsh failing to despatch a third-quarter penalty.
Kevin Conlan and Shane Moran both got points to cut the gap at 0-9 to 0-7.
Cody, Sweeney and Walsh all registered scores to see Galway move five points clear, but a tense finish ensued.
McLoughlin bagged the only goal of the contest to set up a grandstand finish, with Ronan Reynolds and Conlan claiming late points to cut the gap to the minimum.
Leitrim had a late chance of snatching a win with a close range effort, but a Kevin Conlon free finished over the crossbar, as Galway held out for the narrowest of wins.
It was much easier for Mayo, who claimed a 0-15 to 0-6 win over IT Sligo in James Stephens Park, Ballina.
Ahead by 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval thanks to the efforts of Alan Freeman, Morgan Lyons and Evan Regan, last year’s beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists never looked troubled.
The gap was cut to three points shortly after the restart, with Donegal’s Ryan McHugh claiming a point, but Alex Corduff, Peter Dravins, Mark Ronaldson, Kevin McLoughlin, Freeman and Regan all claimed second half scores.
Peadar Óg Ó Griofa (0-4) once again impressed for NUIG, with the Micheal Breathnach’s clubman delivering the match winning score, in NUIG’s 0-10 to 0-9 win over Roscommon in Ballyforan.
The Galway University put their loss to Mayo last weekend behind them, in a game where both sides had their share of dominance.
Roscommon led 0-3 to 0-1 early on, but NUIG took a 0-7 to 0-5 interval lead with Adrian Varley, Ó Griofa, Chris Davey and Adrian Nolan registering scores.
Ciaran Murtagh and Cathal Cregg brought Roscommon back into contention, but a second yellow card for Cathal Shine hit the hosts.
Roscommon levelled thanks to scores from Brian Murtagh and Senan Kilbride, but NUIG dug deep for victory.
In just his second game in charge of Sligo, Niall Carew masterminded a 1-13 to 0-8 win for his new charges over GMIT at Owenmore Gaels GAA Club at Connolly Park, Collooney.
Mark Breheny (1-5) delivered the only goal of the game in the second half, in a game where the contribution of the St Mary’s clubman proved decisive.
Breheny registered three first-half points, but Sligo didn’t have it all their own way, as the students led by 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, and moved 0-7 to 0-5 ahead on the restart.
Roscommon native Andy Glennon was among those keeping the scoreboard ticking for GMIT, but they were outscored by 1-8 to 0-1 with Breheny netting, and James Hynes, Stephen Gilmartin, Niall Murphy and Kenneth Sweeney all on target for the hosts.