Sligo secure with hard earned victory over Antrim
Sligo, Meath, Fermanagh and Cavan all claimed wins in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League over the weekend.
Sligo emerged with a hard-earned 1-12 to 0-13 victory when Antrim visited Markievicz Park. Kevin Walsh's side were in total control in the opening half, but made things difficult for themselves on the restart.
A Pat Hughes goal helped Sligo take a 1-8 to 0-4 interval lead, but Antrim fought back strongly.
However, a second yellow card for Kevin Niblock and the dismissal of Michael Magill late in the second half thwarted their comeback attempts.
Meath put a heavy defeat to Monaghan behind them to run out impressive 0-16 to 0-8 winners over Wicklow at Aughrim.
Wind-assisted, the Royals led by 0-10 to 0-4 at the end of the first half with Sean Tobin and Michael Newman both catching the eye.
Wicklow cut the gap thanks to the efforts of John McGrath, but an experimental Meath outfit kept on top with a late point from goalkeeper Paddy O'Rourke sealing an eight-point success.
On Saturday, Cavan were 1-10 to 0-5 winners over Monaghan in a fiery all-Ulster encounter at Kingspan Breffni Park.
Five players were shown red cards, three from Monaghan and two for the hosts.
Cavan led by 0-2 to 0-1 early on, but the first dismissal of the night soon followed after Conor McManus was given his marching orders.
The hosts moved two points clear thanks to a Martin Dunne free, but the Breffni full-forward quickly joined his opposite number on the bench following a red card.
Cavan were strongest in the opening half and led by 0-7 to 0-1 at the interval with David Givney and Mark McKeever both on target.
John McCutcheon was dismissed shortly after the restart as Cavan were reduced to 13 men, and Monaghan responded with scores from Dick Clerkin and Tommy Freeman.
A Martin Reilly goal put Cavan in the driving seat, and when Monaghan duo Gavin Doogan and Dessie Mone both saw red cards it put an end to the visitors' hopes of victory.
Fermanagh top Division 3 after the weekends games. Peter Canavan's charges always looked likely winners in their 2-13 to 2-6 dismissal of Roscommon at Brewster Park.
The hosts led by 1-2 to 0-1 after 20 minutes with Daryl Keenan netting their goal, and Fermanagh moved 1-5 to 0-3 ahead at the break.
Paul Ward netted Fermanagh's second goal shortly after the restart. Although Roscommon bounced back with goals from Donie Smith and Michael Finneran, Fermanagh held out for victory despite the late dismissal of Ryan Jones.
