Allianz Football League: Donegal & Armagh edge closer to Division One as Down maintain promotion push

Patrick McBrearty registered 0-8 to help Donegal maintain their promotion push

Donegal and Armagh edged closer to promotion to Division One of the Allianz Football League after they both chiselled out victories on Sunday.

Jeaic MacCellabhui's palmed goal helped Donegal beat Louth 1-17 to 0-14 at Ballyshannon while Armagh accounted for Fermanagh 0-15 to 0-11 at Enniskillen.

Donegal now lead the table on points difference from Armagh.

Down stay top of Division Three after beating Sligo but defeat by Westmeath ended Antrim's promotion hopes.

Donegal hold off Louth

Donegal were pushed all the way by Louth but, ultimately prevailed at Father Tierney Park, as MacCellabhui's palmed goal on 54 minutes proving to be a crucial blow to the 'Wee County.'

Over 4,100 spectators piled through the turnstiles in Ballyshannon for Donegal's first league game at the ground in a decade and most of those patrons will head for home with a smile on their face.

Donegal captain Patrick McBrearty top-scored with eight points for the home team. Sam Mulroy kicked seven points for Louth in a fine individual display.

Donegal had the advantage of a considerable breeze in the first half and despite that fact they only led by two at the break, nine points played seven.

McBrearty hit five of those alongside two from Shane O'Donnell and Oisin Gallen. Sam Mulroy led the Louth charge with three with Ryan Burns and Tom Jackson also on target.

Ger Brennan in the 'Wee County' dug-out was definitely the happier of the two managers at half-time.

In the second stanza, Mulroy had Louth level with 20 minutes to play, before Mac Ceallabhui palmed home a scrappy goal.

Michael Langan and Oisin Gallen landed late scores to see the Tir Chonaill side over the line.

Donegal's six-point win moved them to the top of the table on the smallest possible scoring difference margin after Armagh won by four points at Enniskillen.

With Jim McGuinness' side having a +27 scoring difference advantage over third-placed Cavan, one more win in their remaining games against Kildare and Meath looks likely to be enough to guarantee their Division One spot.

Armagh battle past Fermanagh

Armagh retained their unbeaten record in Division Two, as they overcame Fermanagh 0-15 to 0-11 in the Brewster Park game delayed from Saturday because of snow at the Enniskillen venue.

The Orchand men benefited from a spread of scores, with Stefan Campbell, Andrew Murnin and Conor Turbitt all contributing 0-3.

At the other end of the field, Blaine Hughes took his streak of clean sheets to five games as he pulled off a superb save midway through the first half to keep out a Joe McDade close-range volley.

Fermanagh were considerable pre-match underdogs but held their own for most of the game.

The difference came down to two 0-4 scoring runs for the visitors, with one in each half.

Indeed, things could have been more comfortable for Armagh had Paddy Burns found the net late on but his attempt at catching Ross Bogue off his line went wayward.

Armagh will seal promotion by beating Cavan at the Athletic Grounds on 16 March.

Down breeze past Sligo

James Guinness scored as Down recorded their fifth successive win

Promotion looks all but certain for Conor Laverty's Down as they continued their winning streak with a 2-17 to 1-8 victory against Sligo.

Goals from Ceilum Doherty and James Guinness sealed a comfortable victory for the Mourne men.

A dominant opening half from the hosts with big performances from Pat Havern and Daniel Guinness, gave Down a comfortable 1-8 to 0-5 lead at the interval.

Sligo found a lifeline early in the second half with a goal from Nathan Mullen, but Down proved to be too much for the visitors.

A well-equipped and well organised Down side controlled the game as Guinness' goal and a collection of shots from Havern and Liam Kerr, helped to secure their fifth consecutive victory.

Saffrons fall to third straight loss

Any hopes Antrim had of promotion from Division Three are now gone as lost 0-13 to 0-9 against Westmeath, who continued their winning start to the season.

The Saffrons will have regrets about this one too as three big goal chances came and went, while they will also be disappointed in their final tally of nine wides that prevented them from really testing the visitors.

Eunan Walsh and Marc Jordan were denied in a first-half that saw Westmeath 0-5 to 0-4 in front by the end as Danny McCartan weaved through to score.

The visitors extended the gap early in the second period, but Antrim hung in with Michael Byrne and Dermott McAleese scores keeping them in touch.

Danny and Sam McCartan points pushed the gap to four, before Antrim's Dominic McEnhill was denied by the crossbar.

They would get to within two points, but Westmeath were more clinical with their own chances as Jonathan Lynam fisted over late to seal their win.