Allianz Football League: Derry hammer Monaghan as Donegal and Cavan win
- Published
Defenders Conor McCluskey, Padraig McGrogan and Conor Doherty scored in Derry's big win
Derry continued their unbeaten start to their Allianz Football League campaign with a 3-17 to 0-13 win over Monaghan at Celtic Park.
Conor McCluskey, Padraig McGrogan and Conor Doherty netted as Mickey Harte's side cruised to victory.
In Division Two, a pair of second-half goals from Daire O Baoill fired Donegal to a convincing 2-16 to 0-8 win over Fermanagh in Letterkenny.
Cavan held on to defeat Cork by 0-17 to 0-16 in a frantic finish.
Derry easily defeated Monaghan at Celtic Park as the Ulster champions continued their unbeaten start to the season.
Shane McGuigan once again top-scored for the Oakleafers, finishing with 0-11 to his name.
It was a lively and closely fought opening at Celtic Park as Derry and Monaghan equally shared the opening four points.
After McGuigan kicked Derry into the lead from the first attack, Darren McDonnell and Michael Hamill efforts gave Monaghan the lead.
But a ruthless spell from the Oakleafers saw them open up a six-point lead by the 18th minute as both McGuigan and Ciaran McFaul made the most of the chances that came Derry's way.
By the 28th minute Monaghan had cut their arrears to just four, but the good work came unstuck when Ethan Doherty played in McCluskey for the game's opening goal.
It helped Derry to a six-point half-time lead of 1-9 to 0-6.
Despite the best efforts of Jack McCarron, Derry managed to pull away at ease in the second half and Harte's side went on to add a further two-goals to their credit.
Doherty again was on hand to set-up McGrogan for a blistering finish in the 52nd minute before debutant Eunan Mulholland gave Conor Doherty an easy close-range finish as Derry stormed to the top of Division One in style.
Donegal continue unbeaten start
Watch: O Baoill's 'Beckham moment' as Donegal beat Fermanagh
In Letterkenny, Fermanagh started brightly with top scorer Sean Cassidy causing trouble in the home defence.
Kieran Donnelly's side held a 0-4 to 0-2 lead midway through the first half before the hosts began to find their range.
Oisin Gallen and Paddy McBrearty were ever-reliant in dead ball situations while O Baoill continued to put on an exhibition of shooting down the right channel finishing the first half with three points as the hosts went in 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at the break.
In the second period, it was much more one-sided as Donegal racked up 2-7 without reply after Fermanagh immediately drew level.
O Baoill's first goal came on 42 minutes when he spotted goalkeeper Ross Bogue and netted from distance and his second came six minutes later when he slotted into the bottom corner.
Donegal's strength in depth certainly told as substitutes Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui, Aaron Doherty and Mark Curran all kept the scoreboard ticking over with Fermanagh unable to conjure a response.
Fermanagh fell to their first defeat of the campaign while Donegal maintained their 100% start in Division Two.
Cavan edge past Cork
Cavan held on for a big win in Division Two
Later on Saturday, Cork's winless run continued as the Rebel County came up just short of defeating Cavan at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as both sides finished with 14 players.
It was a tight first half and the sides were level heading into additional time but Chris Og Jones, Colm O'Callaghan - who had earlier been black carded - and Brian Hurley gave the hosts a 0-11 to 0-8 lead.
Cavan needed a response and they drew level 10 minutes into the second half before Brian Fahy was shown a red card for Cork for two bookable offences.
Raymond Galligan's side managed to build a two-point buffer through the impressive Paddy Lynch, who ended the game with 0-9.
However, Cork would not go away and the game turned once again when Padraig Faulkner was dismissed for the visitors.
That gave Cork momentum and there was late drama to come as Sherlock levelled the game in additional time, but Cavan immediately hit back through Oisin Brady and Lynch to build a buffer.
Sherlock converted another free with the final play of the match, but Cavan held on to win 0-17 to 0-16 and continue their strong start to their Division Two campaign.