FINAL SCORES
National Football League
Division 1: Galway 1-18 Tyrone 1-18; Donegal 1-22 Derry 1-19
Division 2: Louth 1-21 Monaghan 1-27; Westmeath 1-17 Meath 3-14
Division 3: Leitrim 1-9 Offaly 1-13; Clare 2-12 Kildare 0-16
Division 4: London 1-12 Longford 0-16; Wicklow 2-18 Carlow 2-14
National Hurling League
Division 1A: Limerick 0-21 Clare 1-21
Division 1B: Offaly 1-22 Westmeath 0-19; Waterford 1-23 Dublin 2-18; Carlow 1-21 Antrim 2-18
Division 2: Kildare 3-21 Donegal 1-15; Down 9-26 Tyrone 0-13
Division 3: Warwickshire 1-12 Fermanagh 0-18; Cavan 2-20 Wicklow 1-18; Mayo 3-25 Roscommon 1-12; Sligo 1-19 Armagh 3-15
A much relieved and naturally delighted Brian Lohan, after league and All-Ireland champions Clare finally land their first win of the league.
“Changed into championship mode ...”
Some telling words here from John Conlan
FULL-TIME: Limerick 0-21 Clare 1-21: A tense finish but Clare survive, and Brian Lohan’s team have their first win of the campaign, hard earned but well deserved. It’s a first loss for Limerick in their campaign, and Clare still have plenty to fight for in Division 1A, with two fixtures to go, as final positions if more than one county on the same number of points is determined by scoring difference.
Limerick 0-21 Clare 1-21: Three minutes of added time announced, and after Aaron Gillane sends a tricky free wide for Limerick, Clare also miss a couple of scoring chances to close out the deal. Instead, Jason Gillane adds another long range free on 72 minutes.
Limerick 0-20 Clare 1-21: Jason Gillane comes out from the Limerick goal to convert a free, and it’s back to a four point game with four minutes of normal time to go.
Limerick 0-19: Clare 1-21: Tensions spilling over now at the Gaelic Grounds, several players coming together close to the sideline, on 63 minutes, after which Diarmuid Byrnes is shown a straight red card by referee Thomas Walsh for an apparent incident with Tony Kelly.
Limerick 0-18 Clare 1-21: Clare’s lead is out to six points with 10 minutes remaining, thanks to a close-range free from Aidan McCarthy.
Limerick 0-18 Clare 1-20: Sean Rynne gets his third from play on 57 minutes, Clare keeping all the pressure on Limerick, who do quickly strike back with another from Aaron Gillane, who has now hit 0-7.
Limerick 0-17 Clare 1-18: Tony Kelly gets into the thick of the action, and sends Clare five points clear, before Aidan O’Connor gets one back for Limerick.
Limerick 0-16 Clare 1-17: A goal disallowed for Clare, David Reidy found inside the square after sending his shot into the net on 52 minutes.
Limerick 0-16 Clare 1-16: It’s end-to-end at the Gaelic Grounds, as Byrnes scores another long range point for Limerick on 49 minutes, after Barry Nash had added another two for Limerick.
FULL-TIME: Westmeath 1-17 Meath 3-14: Another dramatic finish, this time in Division 2 of the football, as a late goal from Conor Duke wins it for Meath, their fourth consecutive win. Westmeath are still looking for their first win.
Limerick 0-14 Clare 1-13: Ryan Taylor’s searing run engineers a free for Clare, and Aidan McCarthy does the honours on 44 minutes.
Limerick 0-12 Clare 0-12: Three quick points in succession by Limerick, including one from Cian Lynch, has Limerick level again.
GOAL!: Limerick 0-14 Clare 1-12: Just after surrendering their advantage, Clare hit right back on 40 minutes with a close range goal from David Reidy. Diarmuid Byrnes then levels again with a long-range free.
A half-time update from Sean Moran, our man at the Gaelic Grounds.
“Big crowd, 16,789, on the Ennis road for the latest instalment of the Clare-Limerick rivalry. Clare recover rom a slow start to lead by three at the break, 0-12 to 0-9. Limerick have had plenty of chances including Aaron Gillane hitting the bar with a spectacular one-handed effort.
“Tony Kelly started at centrefield and is on a yellow card for catching Adam English high. Limerick will need to reset at half-time to prevent the All-Ireland champions picking up the first points of the campaign.
“Regardless of what happens this afternoon, Clare cannot be relegated with two fixtures to go, as final positions if more than one county on the same number of points is determined by scoring difference.”
HALF-TIME: Limerick 0-9 Clare 0-12: There will be a blood sub, Adam English going off for repairs after a knock in the nose by Tony Kelly, who gets a yellow card in the process. The blood sub Aidan O’Connor then gets one back for Limerick just before the break.
Limerick 0-8 Clare 0-12: Jack O’Neill is unquestionably making his call up count here, scoring his third point from play on 33 minutes to send Clare four points clear again.
Limerick 0-8 Clare 0-11: Clare are starting to dominate things at the Gaelic Grounds, another cool free from Aidan McCarthy on 30 minutes pushing their advantage out to four points, and deservedly so. However Aaron Gillane hits back with another free, their first score in nine minutes.
Limerick 0-7 Clare: 0-10 The scores are not easy to come by, but Davy Fitzgerald finds room for two scores in quick succession, before Jack O’Neill adds another from play on 26 minutes, and with that Clare are three points up.
Limerick 0-7 Clare 0-7: Aaron Gillane levels it again from another placed ball, on 21 minutes, and it remains tight at the Gaelic Grounds.
FULL-TIME: Carlow 1-21 Antrim 2-18: A late, late goal for Antrim has salvaged a draw in Division 1B in the hurling, keeping alive some slim hopes Davy Fitzgerald’s team can avoid relegation.
Limerick 0-6 Clare 0-6: And just like that two in succession from Gillane, who is on fire, has Limerick level again on 17 minutes.
Limerick 0-4 Clare 0-6: Clare are certainly bringing their A-game to Limerick, an excellent free from Aidan McCarthy, then a point from play by Sean Rynne sending them two points clear on 14 minutes.
GOAL! Westmeath 0-9 Meath 2-08: Adam O’Neill scores a second goal for Meath on the hooter for half-time, and they look to be taking control at Mullingar.
Limerick 0-4 Clare 0-3: Certainly a lively start at the Gaelic Grounds, two in succession from Aidan McCarthy bringing Clare level, before Aaron Gillane scores from play on 10 minutes.
Westmeath 0-8 Meath 1-8: Approaching half-time in the Division 2 meeting at Mullingar, and Jordan Morris is denied a second goal after a penalty save.
Limerick 0-3 Clare 0-1: Shane O’Brien adds another for Limerick, Sean Rynne then opens Clare’s account, before Aaron Gillane scores a close-range free.
Limerick 0-1 Clare 0-0: They’re under way at the Gaelic Grounds, and David Reidy opens the scoring for Limerick in a must-win game for Clare, the league and All-Ireland champions still seeking their first win over the Division 1A hurling campaign.
Another update from Malachy Clerkin after full-time in Ballyshannon:
Derry were eight points up with 15 minutes to go and somehow managed to lose by three.
They were outscored by 1-9 to 0-1 after the 55th minute, with Shane O’Donnell slamming home Donegal’s goal after a smart 1-2 with Michael Murphy.
It leaves Derry rooted to the bottom of Division 1 with two games to go. Donegal will play better than this and lose games but this leaves them second behind Galway on points difference.
FULL-TIME: Dublin 2-18 Waterford 1-23: In the likely crucial promotion decider from Division 1B in hurling, Waterford come from behind to secure a late, late two-point win at Walsh Park, including a monster free from Stephen Bennett, with Offaly securing another win over Westmeath at O’Connor Park.
GOAL!: Dublin 2-17 Waterford 1-20: A Waterford goal by Patrick Curran on 68 minutes brings the endgame to life again, and all to play for now in the promotional race now.
Dublin 2-17 Waterford 0-19: Dublin are looking good for win at Walsh Park in Division 1B of the hurling, despite losing Cian O’Sullivan to a red card.
FULL-TIME: Galway 1-18 Tyrone 1-18: Dramatic finish in Tuam Stadium, a two-pointed free by Shane Walsh salvaging a draw for Galway with the final kick of the game, after Mattie Donnelly’s two-pointer looked to have given Tyrone the victory. Galway remain the only unbeaten team in Division 1.
FULL-TIME: Donegal 1-22 Derry 1-19: A super strong finish by Donegal, man-of the-match Daire O Baoill and Conor O’Donnell adding late scores to give them the victory, which included their first goal of this campaign.
Galway 1-15 Tyrone 1-16: It’s an equally tight finish at Tuam Stadium, as Darren McCurry puts Tyrone one point up on 62 minutes.
Donegal 1-20 Derry 1-19: Donegal have taken the lead thanks to a sweet two-pointer from Ciaran Thompson after 66 minutes, before Ciaran Moore edges them in front on 67 minutes with neat shot between the posts.
GOAL! Donegal 1-16 Derry 1-19: Donegal have brought themselves back into contention on 64 minutes, Michael Murphy deftly setting up Shane O’Donnell for the close range goal.
PENALTY! Galway 1-15 Tyrone 1-15: Shane Walsh converts for Galway, and it’s game on again, with 59 minutes played at Tuam Stadium. Peter Teague is also black carded for Tyrone.
Galway 0-15 Tyrone 1-15: Galway’s unbeaten record in Division 1 is under threat, as an excellent point from Darragh Canavan put Tyrone three points clear on 57 minutes.
Donegal 0-15 Derry 1-18: Donegal are just about keeping themselves in touch, with another point from Daire O Baoill on 57 minutes.
That goal for Derry ...
Donegal 0-13 Derry 1-17: Ethan Doherty scores another one with ease for Derry, before Michael Murphy skews his first shot at goal and it trails wide.
Galway 0-13 Tyrone 1-12: Mark Bradley scores his five point for Tyrone, who now lead Galway by two points at Tuam Stadium.
Donegal 0-13 Derry 1-16: Donegal are looking increasingly lathergic at Ballyshannon, as another point from Lachlan Murray puts Derry six points up on 52 minutes.
Clare 1-9 Kildare 0-6: A bit of a surprise at half-time in Division 3 of the football league, as Kildare, leading the race for promotion, are trailing Clare by six points.
Ahead of the Division 2 meeting between Meath and Westmeath, Gordon Manning reports from Mullingar ...
Large crowd coming through the turnstiles, predominantly Meath fans it seems though. Strong wind blowing down the pitch so coin toss will be interesting. Meath centre back Seán Coffey is not expected to start after suffering an arm injury.
Changes to both teams:
Meath – Adam O’Neill & Thomas O’Reilly start. Seán Coffey & Daithì McGowan drop out.
Westmeath – Robbie Forde starts. Ronan Wallace drops out.
Donegal 0-12: Derry 1-13: GOAL! After Donegal squander a goal chance at one end, Derry work the ball down the field, and Conor Glass finishes off the move with a low strike into the net. Conor O’Donnell then gets one back for Donegal.
Galway 0-12 Tyrone 1-9: Back under way at Tuam Stadium too, and another Mark Bradley score levels things up again after 40 minutes.
Donegal 0-9 Derry 0-13: Just what the home team need, Ciaran Thompson hits a two-pointer from a placed ball.
Donegal 0-7 Derry 0-13: They are back under way at Ballyshannon, and Michael Murphy is introduced for Donegal to the chants of “Murphy! Murphy! Murphy!” Ethan Doherty and Paul Cassidy however add another two points for Derry.
HALF-TIME: Waterford 0-12 Dublin 1-11: Conal O Riain scrambles in a close-range goal for Dublin in the likely promotion clincher in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League, just before half-time. Offaly however are currently trailing Westmeath 0-14 to 0-9 at half-time in the other headline game in Division 1B.
Dispatches from Donegal v Derry. Malachy Clerkin has this update for us:
Derry lead by four points at the break in Ballyshannon. They had a bit of a breeze – and it definitely helped Shane McGuigan kick a two-point free after the half-time hooter.
They’ve also missed the best goal chance of the game, when Shaun Patton saved from Lachlan Murray.
But Donegal have barely raised a gallop and will feel that they are by no means out of this.
If Donegal up the intensity, it will really test Derry’s resolve – which hasn’t been all that sturdy in the league so far.
HALF-TIME: Galway 0-11 Tyrone 1-8: After Galway kick their fourth two-pointer, a Mark Bradley free for Tyrone levels it up again after 32 minutes at Tuam Stadium, and it stays that way for the half-time hooter.
HALF-TIME: Donegal 0-7 Derry 0-10: Daire O Baoill and Hugh McFadden score in quick succession and briefly get Donegal back to within a point at Ballyshannon, before Niall Loughlin blasts one over the bar for Derry. Shane McGuigan adds another free on the hooter, and Derry lead by three points at half time.
Galway 0-9 Tyrone 1-6: Another Mark Bradley point levels it up at Tuam Stadium after 27 minutes.
Donegal 0-5 Derry 0-8: Against the run of play and possession stakes, Derry pull three points clear thanks to a Shane McGuigan free after 28 minutes.
Dublin 0-5 Waterford 0-3: In the Allianz Hurling League, Dublin are building an early advantage against Waterford at Walsh Park.
Donegal 0-5 Derry 0-6: An impressive two-pointer from Lachlan Murray edges Derry back on front.
Donegal 0-5 Derry 0-4: The fear was Donegal-Derry might turn into something of a shadow boxing match, given they meet again in the preliminary round of the Ulster championship on April 6th, and it’s tame enough so far at Ballyshannon after 22 minutes, Ciaran Thompson putting the home team back in front.
Galway 0-7 Tyrone 1-2: Galway have hit straight back after the Tyrone goal and now lead by two points.
Donegal 0-3 Derry 0-3: Two quick points in succession and Derry are briefly in front after 14 minutes, before Oisin Gallan levels it again for the home team.
Donegal 0-2 Derry 0-1: After 12 minutes Conor Glass gets Derry on the scoreboard.
Galway 0-2 Tyrone 1-2: A Darragh Canavan goal has Tyrone in front!
Galway 0-2 Tyrone 0-2: Down at Tuam Stadium, Mark Bradley briefly puts Tyrone in front, before Galway level it on nine minutes.
Donegal 0-2 Derry 0-0: After missing a decent goal chance minutes before, Daire O Baoill doubles the Donegal advantage after seven minutes. Derry have their first shot at goal cleared off the line.
Donegal 0-1 Derry 0-0: Ryan McHugh scores from play after 30 seconds to give Donegal an early lead in Ballybofey
Here’s how the football league tables look going into this afternoon.
DIVISION 1 P W D L Dif Pts
Galway 4 3 1 0 23 7
Donegal 4 3 0 1 7 6
Dublin 5 3 0 2 2 6
Armagh 5 2 1 2 1 5
Mayo 5 2 1 2 -8 5
Kerry 5 2 0 3 -10 4
Tyrone 4 1 0 3 -6 2
Derry 4 0 1 3 -21 1
DIVISION 2 P W D L Dif Pts
Roscommon 5 4 0 1 21 8
Monaghan 4 3 0 1 18 6
Meath 4 3 0 1 16 6
Cavan 5 3 0 2 -6 6
Louth 4 2 0 2 -5 4
Cork 5 2 0 3 -17 4
Down 5 1 0 4 -12 2
Westmeath 4 0 0 4 -15 0
DIVISION 3 P W D L Dif Pts
Kildare 4 4 0 0 56 8
Offaly 4 3 0 1 27 6
Laois 5 3 0 2 15 6
Fermanagh 5 2 1 2 -15 5
Clare 3 2 0 1 12 4
Antrim 5 2 0 3 -2 4
Sligo 4 0 1 3 -20 1
Leitrim 4 0 0 4 -73 0
DIVISION 4 P W D L Dif Pts
Wexford 4 4 0 0 44 8
Limerick 5 3 1 1 20 7
Tipperary 5 2 1 2 -2 5
Wicklow 3 2 0 1 11 4
London 4 2 0 2 -23 4
Carlow 4 1 1 2 -7 3
Longford 4 1 1 2 -8 3
Waterford 4 0 0 4 -23 0
Few late changes on the Derry team to play Donegal
How long before Michael Murphy makes his second appearance of the season?
A few minutes out from throw-in at Tuam Stadium. Here are the Galway and Tyrone teams.
Here’s the full schedule for the day:
National Football League
Division 1: Galway v Tyrone, Donegal v Derry (both 1.45pm)
Division 2: Louth v Monaghan (2pm), Westmeath v Meath (3.15pm)
Division 3: Leitrim v Offaly, Clare v Kildare (both 2pm)
Division 4: London v Longford (12.30pm), Wicklow v Carlow (2pm)
National Hurling League
Division 1A: Limerick v Clare (3.45pm)
Division 1B: Offaly v Westmeath, Waterford v Dublin (both 2pm), Carlow v Antrim (2.30pm)
Division 2: Kildare v Donegal (1pm), Down v Tyrone (2pm)
Division 3: Warwickshire v Fermanagh (12pm), Cavan v Wicklow, Mayo v Roscommon (both 2pm), Sligo v Armagh (2.30pm)
Hello, and welcome along to The Irish Times live blog for today’s action across the National Football and Hurling Leagues.
There are 18 games on today’s agenda; eight football, 10 hurling.
In the respective topflights, it’s Galway v Tyrone and Donegal v Derry in Division 1 of the National Football League, while Limerick host neighbours Clare in Division 1A of the National Hurling League.
We’ll be keeping you updated on the action from across all the divisions in both leagues throughout the day, followed by the full match reports.
