GAA – NFL Round-Up:Tyrone gave themselves an outside chance of avoiding relegation from the top division with a nail-biting win over All-Ireland champions Kerry, while Cork were narrow winners in Derry and Galway denied Dublin in an entertaining encounter at Parnell Park last night.
It was a case of take your pick of venues to witness last night’s drama under the floodlights, but surely the most dramatic action unfolded in Omagh where Colm Cavanagh punched home a sensational winning goal in stoppage time to give Tyrone a one point victory (1-11 to 1-10).
There was little to choose between the two sides in the first period, though Mickey Harte’s side went 0-04 to 0-01 ahead with scores from Tommy McGuigan and Sean Cavanagh.
Donnacha Walsh and David Moran responded for the Kingdom, while Darran O'Sullivan made an immediate impact when he came off the bench.
Owen Mulligan gave Tyrone a 0-06 to 0-03 lead before Kerry’s found their range to convert four unanswered points – through Walsh, Moran, Kieran Donaghy and Colm Cooper – to take a narrow 0-07 to 0-06 lead into the break.
Tyrone’s task became more difficult at the start of the second half when they were reduced to 14 men after Cathal McCarron picked up a second yellow card.
To compound matters Declan O’Sullivan worked with Cooper before firing past Pascal McConnell in the Tyrone goal.
McGuigan and Martin Penrose responded with scores, while O'Sullivan’s scliced score was a highlight.
In the closing stages Kerry were reduced to 14 men after Aidan O’Mahony picked up a straight red.
The stage was then set for Cavanagh to fist home the dramatic late winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
As Tyrone helped their relegation fears from Division One, so too did Galway with their 0-14 to 0-14 draw against Dublin at Parnell Park.
Dublin made by far the better start to as Bernard Brogan and Kevin Bonner were on target for the Leinster champions. It took the best part of 15 minutes for Galway to record their first score through Eoin Concannon.
Towards the end of the first period, though, the Tribesmen started delivering. Concannon converted a trio of scores while Fiachra Breathnach scored the only goal of the game.
Nicky Joyce’s free gave Galway 1-07 to 0-05 lead at the break.
Pat Gilroy’s side failed to reduce the deficit after the restart with the Galway leading 1-10 to 0-08 with 20 minutes remaining. However, Brogan inspired Dublin with Cian O’Sullivan and Conal Keaney also weighing in with points to eventually level proceedings in the last quarter.
Joe Kernan’s side were reduced to 14 men when Declan Meehan was given his marching orders for a second yellow.
Concannon and Gary Sice edged the visitors ahead before Brogan replied but it was not enough to consign the Dubs to their second successive league defeat.
Cork moved clear at the top with their narrow 2-09 to 0-14 win over Derry at Celtic Park.
A John Hayes penalty and a second goal from Fintan Gould in the early stages were telling for the Rebels as they lead Division 1 on 10 points after five wins from six.
Cork went into the break 2-05 to 0-08 ahead and it could have been more had Paddy Bradley not hit a trio of points.
In the end Derry were left to rue too many wides and find themselves at the foot of the table on two points with just one win from six.
Saturday's Results
Allianz National Football League
Division 1
Derry 0-14 Cork 2-09
Tyrone 1-11 Kerry 1-10
Dublin 0-14 Galway 1-14
Division 2
Donegal 1-12 Meath 0-10
Laois 0-13 Kildare 0-09
Division 3
Cavan 0-20 Offaly 0-14
Antrim 2-14 Louth 2-06
Division 4
Limerick 8-13 Kilkenny 2-02
Carlow 1-12 Leitrim 1-16