Gaelic Games

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Armagh came from behind to beat Dublin 2-24 to 1-25 and claim two vital Division One league points at Croke Park.

Oisin Conaty's late goal helped the Orchard men complete a remarkable comeback which may yet be vital in their pursuit of top-tier survival.

It's all to play for on the final day of the campaign as Armagh host All-Ireland champions Kerry while Dublin go to Galway - vitally the Ulster side now have the head to head advantage over their Leinster counterparts.

Heading into the game many felt the loser of this clash would be all but condemned to the Division Two for 2027.

Dublin were the team who started with real purpose and led 1-5 to 0-1 after 10 minutes with Niall Scully hitting with a hat-trick of points while Ross McGarry rattled the back of the Armagh net.

Scores from Tomas McCormack and Callum O'Neill eased the Orchard back into the clash before Cian McConville pulled a goal back for the Ulster side to leave four between the teams.

A burst of 0-4 including a Sean Bugler buzzer beating two-pointer left the home side leading 1-15 to 1-6 at half-time.

The second half did not begin with the traditional throw-in, instead referee David Gough showed Armagh's Jarly Og Burns a black card and awarded Dublin a 14 metre free due to an altercation as the players made their way towards the tunnel at the break.

Scully knocked over the resulting free before three points from substitute Oisin O'Neill, including a two point free, left eight between the sides at the end of the third quarter.

Armagh rallied and were boosted by the introduction of Conor Turbitt, outscoring Dublin eight points to one over a nine-minute spell, including an orange flag from Turbitt to put the minimum between the sides with just over 10 minutes to play.

Both sides were then reduced to 14 for the remainder of the contest as Brian Howard and Tiernan Kelly were given their marching orders for an off-the-ball incident.

The Dubs managed to keep their noses in front as both sides traded blows before McConville levelled the game for the first time since the opening minute.

It was clear the momentum was with Kieran McGeeney's side as Conaty blasted a vital goal to the net.

Armagh led for the first time in the game and the noise of the large travelling band of orange was felt with reverberations around Croke Park.

Ross McQuillan fisted over to move Armagh four clear before Paddy Small halved the deficit with a huge two-pointer with two to play.

Armagh failed to retain possession from the next play and Dublin had the opportunity to try and salvage a draw but Cormac Costello spurned the effort wide as Kieran McGeeney's men claimed a crucial two points.

Dublin: Hugh O'Sullivan; Eoin Murchan, Nathan Doran, David Byrne; Eoin Kennedy (0-2), Brian Howard, Alex Gavin; Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Charlie McMorrow; Luke Breathnach (0-4), Sean Bugler (0-4 1x2pt), Niall Scully (0-6 2f); Paddy Small (0-6 1x2pt), Killian McGinnis (0-3), Ross McGarry (1-0).

Subs: Cormac Costello (0-1) for L Breathnach (47), Ciaran Kilkenny for R McGarry (51), Sean MacMahon for Nathan Doran (53), Liam Smith for D Byrne (66)

Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Tomas McCormack (0-3), Gareth Murphy, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan (0-3), Tiernan Kelly, Jarly Og Burns; Callum O'Neill (0-1), Ben Crealey (0-1); Aaron McKay, Jason Duffy (0-2), Greg McCabe; Cian McConville (1-3 1f), Darragh McMullan, Oisin Conaty (1-3).

Subs: Oisin O'Neill (0-5 1x2ptf, 3f) for C O'Neill (HT), Conor Turbitt (0-3 1x2pt) for J Duffy (52), Paddy Burns for A McKay (61), Aidan Forker for D McMullan (69)

Referee: David Gough (Meath)

Niall Keenan
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Getty Images

Fermanagh stood firm to grab their first win of the Football League campaign with a 2-13 to 1-14 victory over 14-man Laois at Brewster Park.

The visitors raced into an early lead with Evan O’Carroll landing a two-pointer before finishing to the net.

The winless hosts responded though as Darragh McGurn plundered to the net.

Fermanagh hit five of the next seven points.

Conor Love, Ronan McCaffrey, Ciaràn Corrigan, Garvan Jones and Brandon Horan were all on target for Declan Bonner’s side before Luke Flanagan got a second goal to give the Ernesiders a 2-6 to 1-4 advantage after half an hour.

The guests were then reduced to 14 men after Robert Tyrell received a red card following a bust up with McCaffrey.

Horan and Killian Roche traded scores before the break and Fermanagh led 2-7 to 1-5 at the interval.

Despite the numerical disadvantage Laois reduced the deficit as Roche stroked over a two-point free before Rigohan Murphy split the sticks.

Love and McGurn kept the scoreboard ticking but the Leinster outfit responded with five unanswered points.

Brian Byrne, O‘Carroll (2) Conor Heffernan and Paul Kingston brought the teams level at 2-10 to 1-13 with 61 minutes gone.

A Love brace and another point from McCaffrey nudged Fermanagh in front once again.

O’Carroll notched over another free but the Erne men held on to grab their first two points of the season.

They still need a number of results to go their way in order to beat the drop with Sligo sitting on four points ahead of their game with Down on Sunday.

Hope of staying up by virtue of a three-way tie is still on, albeit unlikely, for now.

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Meath withstood a Tyrone fightback to give their Division Two promotion hopes a huge boost with a 3-24 to 2-22 victory at Croke Park.

The Royal County, who are playing their 'home' games at GAA headquarters due to the redevelopment of Pairc Tailteann, registered eight orange flags and three green over the 70 minutes.

Meath got off to the perfect start as Aaron Lynch smashed the ball to the back of the net after just three minutes.

Tyrone responded through Ethan Jordan, who added three more efforts from 45's to the first score of the game, alongside a rasping goal, to give the Red Hands a 1-5 to 1-0 lead after the first quarter.

This would prove to be as good as it would get for Malachy O'Rourke's side as Jack O'Connor took the game by the scruff of the neck.

The Meath forward landed four two-pointers from play, before rolling home a fine solo goal to leave his side 2-12 to 1-11 ahead at the break.

It could have been worse for Tyrone at the break. Lynch rolled the ball into the net with the final action of the half, but referee Niall Cullen adjudged that the play came after the hooter had sounded.

There was no sign of a let-up from Robbie Brennan's side early in the second half as they landed 1-6 without reply in a ruthless four minute spell.

Eoghan Frayne and Ruairi Kinsella (two) landed orange flags before Lynch fired home his second goal of the evening - Meath led 3-19 to 1-13 after just 43 minutes.

Pre-match the men in white and red were boosted by the return of Darragh Canavan after his travel plans were cut short.

The star man's introduction coincided with a rally from his team as they struck an unanswered 1-7.

Jordan landed a two-pointer before Niall Devlin finished to the net, reacting quickest after Peter Teague's shot struck the post.

Canavan himself hit a two-pointer to leave two between the sides before Sean Coffey got Meath's first score in 13 minutes.

Darren McCurry was black-carded with five minutes to play as Jordan, who finished with 1-9, landed another two-pointer to leave two between them with three to play.

Sean Brennan's late two-pointer from a free after the hooter - Tyrone failed to keep three in defence - secured the win for Meath, who go to Offaly next knowing a win will seal promotion to Division One for next Spring.

Tyrone host Cork, needing a result to ensure they retain their second-tier status.

Meath: Sean Brennan (0-2 1x2ptf); Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey (0-1), Ciaran Caulfield (0-1); Bryan Menton (0-1), Jack Flynn; Jack O'Connor (1-8 4x2pt), Ruairi Kinsella (0-5 2x2pt), Adam O'Neill; Jordan Morris (0-1 1f), Eoghan Frayne (0-4 1x2pt), Aaron Lynch (2-1).

Subs: Keith Curtis for A Lynch (54), Cathal Hickey for J O'Connor (54), James Conlon for E Frayne (58), Jason Scully for J Flynn (68)

Tyrone: Oisin O'Kane; Aidan Clarke, Peter Teague, Cormac Quinn; Joey Clarke (0-1), Niall Devlin, Michael Rafferty; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell (0-1), Ronan Cassidy (0-2), Ciaran Daly; Ruairi Canavan (0-2), Ethan Jordan (1-9 1f, 2x2pt, 4x45'), Mattie Donnelly (0-1).

Subs: Darren McCurry (0-4 1f) for R Canavan (28), Michael McKernan for M Rafferty (32), Darragh Canavan (0-2 1x2pt) for C Daly (43), Eoin McElholm for R Cassidy (60), Frank Burns for J Clarke (64)

Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)

Image source, Getty Images

Derry's bid for a return to Division One was dealt a blow by Louth as the Ardee hosts ran out 1-19 to 0-18 winners on Saturday afternoon.

The Oak Leafers remain top of Division Two but only on scoring difference with Cork, Meath and now Louth also on eight points.

Dara McDonnell's two-pointer set Louth on their way and when Sam Mulroy netted a 12th-minute penalty - awarded for a foul on Kieran McArdle - the gap was four.

Derry forward Niall Laughlin popped over the first of his seven points before wind-assisted Louth scored six of the final eight points in the first half, including two-pointers from Paul Matthew and the outstanding Mulroy.

The Ulster side were first on the scoreboard on the restart thanks to a Loughlin point and hopes of a comeback were on with the wind now at their backs.

A Loughlin two-pointer helped Derry reduce the deficit to four points but Louth quickly halted their momentum.

They reeled off three points without reply and keeper Niall McDonnell made two vital saves to deny Derry.

Derry again clawed their way back and they had the chance to make it a two-point game on 62 minutes when the referee pointed to the spot for a barge on Shane McGuigan.

However, McGuigan dusted himself down before firing straight at man-of-the-match McDonnell.

Louth eased through for a comfortable victory to boost their own promotion chances while Derry must regroup before their final game against Cavan next weekend.

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Donegal GAA have confirmed that next month's Ulster Championship quarter-final against Down will be played at O'Donnell Park in Letterkenny.

It had been hoped that MacCumhaill Park would stage the game on 26 April, but the Ballybofey venue will not be ready after undergoing significant improvement works.

Donegal boss Jim McGuinness has only lost one league or championship game in Ballybofey - last year's All-Ireland round-robin loss to Tyrone.

O'Donnell Park, the home of St Eunan's, last hosted an Ulster Championship game in 1951 when Donegal drew with Antrim.

This year, it hosted Donegal's Division One win over Mayo in front of a capacity 8,900 crowd.

"Our primary ground, MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey has been undergoing improvement works, which include a new pitch surface, whilst works are on schedule, the venue is not yet available," read a Donegal county board statement.

"We wish CLG Sean MacCumhaills well with the completion of same. Our thanks to St Eunan's GAA for their hospitality and we look forward to another exciting Ulster Senior Football Championship."

Donegal are aiming for a third successive Ulster title after beating Armagh in the past two finals.

The Ulster Championship begins with fierce rivals Armagh and Tyrone meeting in the preliminary round on 12 April, with Fermanagh hosting the winners in the quarter-finals.

In the other last-eight fixtures, Derry host Antrim and Cavan take on Monaghan.

Image source, BBC Sport

On this week's GAA Social, Thomas and Oisin are joined by Tipperary great Liam Sheedy.

The Portroe man led Tipp to two All-Ireland titles and famously stopped Kilkenny winning five-in-a-row in 2010.

In this wide ranging podcast, Thomas and Oisin learn about Sheedy's bond with his mother and his thoughts on how hurling can develop.

Listen now on BBC Sounds right here.

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Waterford moved clear at the top of Division 1A of the National Camogie League with a 1-16 to 0-9 win over Antrim in Ballymena on Saturday.

The Deise recorded their third-straight victory of the campaign to deny the Saffrons a repeat of their shock win over Cork in round two.

Elaine Dowds' side almost got off to a flying start when Janey McIntosh broke through, but Waterford goalkeeper Brianna O'Regan was equal to the effort.

The visitors soon seized control with Niamh Rockett setting them on their way and they would then grab a rather fortuitous goal as Lorraine Bray's shot which Antrim goalkeeper Caitriona Graham appeared to parry, but the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line.

Waterford added three further points before Nicole McAtamney opened Antrim's account with the first of her seven points, but would later see a penalty fly over the crossbar.

Waterford would lead 1-7 to 0-4 at the break with Rockett and Bray on target and the gap was six after 43 minutes when Lucia McNaughton pointed for the hosts with their only score from play.

However, Waterford would control the final stages to claim a comfortable win.

In Division Two, Dery's promotion hopes suffered a blow with defeat by Meath, while Donegal and Monaghan fell to defeats in 3B.

National Camogie League results

Division 1A

Antrim 0-9 Waterford 1-16

Kilkenny 0-9 Cork 1-15

Tipperary 0-12 Galway 1-13

Division Two

Carlow 2-9 Laois 2-11

Kerry 0-10 Westmeath 0-8

Derry 1-11 Meath 2-12

Division 3A

Wicklow 0-6 Roscommon 3-15

Division 3B

Donegal 0-7 Louth 6-1

Monaghan 0-7 Mayo 1-13

Image source, Inpho

Dublin romped to a 6-32 to 0-18 victory over Down at Parnell Park in Division 1B of the Nation Hurling League to deepen the Ulster side's relegation concerns.

The result leaves Down hoping for a Kildare victory over Carlow on Sunday to leave them with a chance of survival on the final day, but this 32-point loss to promotion-chasing Dublin has put a real dent in those hopes with a vastly inferior scoring difference.

John Hetherton hit two goals for the victors, with Dara Purcell, Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing, Fergal Whitely and Paddy Dunleavy also finding the net for Ó Ceallacháin's side that had 12 different scorers overall.

Down were competitive for long stages of the first half with Tim Prenter, Paul Sheehan and Finn Turpin all on target, but the first of Hetherton's goal in the ninth minute helped the Dubs into a 1-13 to 0-10 lead approaching the half.

They would extend that gap by the interval as Hetherton was picked out by Fergal Whitely for his second goal, while the full-forward then turned provider for Ó Dúlaing whose applied the finish with Dublin 3-15 to 0-11 up at the break.

There was no looking back in the second period as they powered on with Purcell netting his side's fourth goal five minutes after the restart and fifth followed soon after through Duleavy who was played in by Hetherton.

The scores were flowing for the hosts with Donal Burke, Darragh Power and Purcell on song, while a sixth goal arrived late on through Whitely.

In Division Three, Tyrone powered to a 3-22 to 0-11 win over Armagh.

Turlough Mullin, Kiefer Morgan and Aidan Kelly all found the net for Stephen McGarry's side who finish their campaign on a high.

Cavan fell to a 8-19 to 0-12 defeat by Sligo in Division Four.

When Patrick McBride - one of Antrim's most high profile and experienced Gaelic footballers - stepped away from the county panel last month, it came as an unexpected development in an already difficult season.

Since making his inter-county debut as a 17-year-old, McBride had been a consistent presence in Saffron, but decided to quit just days after the county's Division Four loss to Tipperary.

Speaking to BBC Gaeilge, McBride explained his reasons for leaving the squad.

"When I had [his son] Luca for example, it put football in a different perspective, and for the last month or so, I was feeling, when I was leaving the house, that I was not enjoying it," McBride told BBC Gaeilge's sport programme, Ón Taobhlíne.

"I had to make a decision, what am I giving my time to? And when I was leaving the house, looking at Luca and Maeve [his partner] in the house, going somewhere I wasn't enjoying, that decision got a lot easier for me."

"So at the moment, I feel 100% OK with it. I'm back training with the club at the minute, league starting in a couple of weeks, looking forward to that."

McBride added that he misses "the games and the friendships", but feels that he made the "right decision".

"I'm not saying that I'm finished, because there is a chance I'll go back," he said.

"There's a chance I'll go back next season but just, the environment wasn't right for me to stay, and I wasn't enjoying it."

When directly asked if he is not ruling out a return to the Antrim jersey in future, McBride confirms: "Yeah, well I don't feel finished yet, so aye, there's a good chance that will happen."

In a wide-ranging conversation, the 32-year-old St John's club-man also recalled his much-loved sister Marie, who died by suicide three years ago.

The full interview can be heard on the Ón Taobhlíne programme below.

If you're affected by any of the issues on this programme you can find details of organisations who can help via the BBC Action Line.

Image source, Inpho

Armagh and Dublin played out a thrilling draw in Division One of the LGFA National League with the sides finishing 2-11 apiece.

The result means both sides remain in the two relegation spots, but level on points with Kildare and the trio just two behind Kerry and Meath.

An Orlagh Nolan helped the Dubs get off to a good start and this would be the difference at the break as Armagh rallied with scores from Kelly Mallon, Lauren McConville, Aoife McCoy and Blaithin Mackin with Nolan on target for the Dubs who led 1-6 to 0-6.

McConville and Mallon reduced the gap to one, but a penalty goal from Nolan followed by a point helped the visitors gain breathing space.

However, Armagh hit back with two goals from the penalty spot converted by Mallon and the sides were level late on when Caroline O'Hanlon gave the Orchard side the lead, but Nolan hit back to ensure it finished level.

Cavan maintained their place at the top of Division Two with a 2-9 to 1-9 victory over Monaghan, while Donegal edged out Mayo to stay second and and Tyrone hit four goals in their win over Wexford to sit in third.

In Division Three, Louth moved clear at the top as they handed Antrim their first defeat of the campaign, but the Saffrons are in joint second with Down who also tasted defeat, going down to Ulster rivals Fermanagh.

Derry suffered a fifth defeat in Division Four when edged out by Leitrim.

LGFA National League results

Division One

Armagh 2-11 Dublin 2-11

Cork 1-12 Waterford 3-5

Galway 1-11 Kerry 1-9

Kildare 4-8 Meath 1-10

Division Two

Cavan 2-9 Monaghan 1-9

Donegal 0-9 Mayo 0-8

Tyrone 4-9 Wexford 3-8

Tipperary 3-8 Westmeath 0-8

Division Three

Fermanagh 1-10 Down 2-6

Roscommon 4-4 Laois 0-12

Louth 0-15 Antrim 0-5

Clare 1-12 Limerick 1-8

Division Four

Leitrim 2-12 Derry 3-8

Wicklow 1-27 Kilkenny 0-0

Carlow 4-13 Longford 0-3

Sligo 2-9 Offaly 1-7

Image source, Inpho

Donegal extended their unbeaten National League run, salvaging a point despite being a man down as they fought back to earn a dramatic 1-17 to 0-20 draw with Galway in Ballyshannon.

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness is braced for a possible league final as his side remain top of the table with two games remaining, including their trip to Roscommon on 15 March.

"It's on the horizon now, if we win one more game, we're probably there," said McGuinness.

"But we want to do that in the context of what we're trying to build in the game plan, with the younger players getting an opportunity."

Donegal had started sharply despite a flurry of early wides, with Michael Langan and Jamie Brennan pushing them two clear before Robert Finnerty opened the visitors' account.

Conor O'Donnell was central to Donegal's best moments in the opening half. After restoring parity midway through the half, he rifled home a superb goal on 20 minutes following a precise Gavin Mulreany kickout against the breeze.

Galway hit back through the game's top scorer, Oisin MacDonnacha, whose two-pointer helped shift momentum and he would finish the game with seven points.

A black card for Michael Langan further disrupted Donegal, allowing the Tribesmen to add late scores and take a 0-13 to 1-07 lead into half-time.

The visitors seized control early in the second period, extending their lead to six as Donegal struggled to gain territory and then lost Stephen McMenamin to a second yellow card.

"The two incidents, you can't defend. In physical games such as these, those are the moments you must hold your discipline," McGuinness added.

However, the introduction of Michael Murphy, Finnbarr Roarty and Peadar Mogan sparked a revival. Further points from Jason McGee and Ryan McHugh drove the Tir Chonaill men forward, gradually eroding the deficit.

A Murphy free cut the gap to one before Mogan's late two-pointer nudged the hosts in front for the first time since the opening half.

The Tribesman seized the last opportunity of the match as Paul Conroy struck in the dying moments to secure a share of the spoils.

Image source, Inpho

Armagh's fightback fell short in Castlebar as Mayo held on for a 2-17 to 0-22 win in Division One.

The result leaves Mayo in second, while Kieran McGeeney's side are second bottom and in a relegation battle with two games to go.

An early goal from Jordan Flynn helped Mayo make a flying start and their ability to nail two-pointers through Flynn, Conor Loftus, Ryan O'Donoghue and Cian McHale saw them open a healthy 1-11 to 0-5 lead at the interval.

Armagh were relying on singles through Cian McConville (two), Callum O'Neill, Blaine Hughes and Jason Duffy but the Ulster side also passed up opportunities.

The gap was out to 10 with 25 minutes to play when Armagh began their surge with two-pointers from Greg McCabe and Oisin O'Neill and had the gap down to three, but Mayo responded with a Cian McHale goal.

Armagh rallied again with six of the next seven points including a two-point free from Oisin O'Neill to leave the minimum between the side with five to pay.

Sam Callinan and AFL-bound teenager Kobe McDonald steadied Mayo again and while Armagh again got to within one through O'Neill (free) and Greg McCabe, they would ultimately come out empty-handed.

Image source, Getty Images

Monaghan look set for a return to Division Two as they suffered a fifth Division One defeat, going down 1-18 to 0-7 to Kerry in Killarney.

The Farenymen were competitive in the early stages with Kerry hitting the front for the first time on 27 minutes, but there was no looking back for the All-Ireland champions thereafter.

Cameron Dowd, Oisin McGorman, Karl Gallager and Dessie Ward scored early for the Ulster side, but Paudie Clifford was on song for the All-Ireland champions with Keith Evans and Joe O'Connor also chipping in.

With the wind at their backs for the second period, Kerry took charge with Sean O'Shea hitting three scores and Clifford with another.

Although Monaghan hit back through Robbie Hanratty and Andrew Woods, their challenge would fade as David Clifford was sprung from the bench to kick a two-pointer before netting the game's only goal as Kerry powered home.

Image source, Inpho

Dublin's dominance over Antrim continued as they kept their promotion push in Division 1B intact with a 1-31 to 1-16 win at Corrigan Park.

With Clare sealing promotion with victory over Carlow on Saturday, the Dubs remain in the hunt for second as they enjoyed another fine afternoon in Belfast.

With the wind at their backs, Dublin began to build a lead with nine of the game's fist 10 points as Antrim were reliant on Seaan Elliott frees for scores in the opening 25 minutes.

By that stage, the Dubs were in a flow as the accuracy of Donal Burke, Fergal Whitely, Dara Purcell and Cian O'Sullivan saw them pour on the scores.

A Ruairi Donaghy goal and two Keelan Molloy points kept Antrim somewhat in touch, but a strong finish to the half from Dublin saw them lead 0-20 to 1-8 at the break.

Chris Crummey found the net for Dublin early in the second half to make it a long way back for Antrim who chipped away with points from Elliott, Molloy, Donaghy, Conor Johnston and James McNaughton.

However, there was no catching Niall Ó Ceallacháin's side who had 12 different scorers on the day as they maintain their push for promotion, while Antrim will have a break before their final game away to Down.

Image source, Inpho

Kildare grabbed their second win of Division 1B as a hat-trick from Cathal Dowling helped them to a 3-24 to 1-23 victory over Down in Ballycran.

The Lilywhites hit the ground running with two Cathal Dowling goals within the opening seven minutes, while David Qualter, Muiris Curtin and Cathal McCabe were on song to help their side build a healthy lead.

Pearse Og McCrickard was accurate from frees for Down who were given a bit of a boost before half time when Kildare's Jack Sheridan was sent off, but the visitors held a 2-15 to 0-9 lead at the break.

Dowling completed his hat-trick three minutes into the second period which pushed the gap out to 15, but Down rallied with McCrickard, Tim Prenter, Donal Hughes and Paul Sheehan prominent.

However, they had given themselves too much to do and a stoppage time goal from Tom McGrattan was mere consolation as Ronan Sheehan's remain rooted to the bottom of the table without a point.

In Division Three, Donegal's push for promotion continued with a 3-20 to 1-9 win over Louth, but Fermanagh's relegation worries deepen with a 5-14 to 0-7 defeat by Wicklow.

In Division Four, Warwickshire were 3-11 to 0-13 winners over Monaghan.

Image source, Inpho

Derry gave their promotion chances a real boost by handing Cork their first defeat in Division Two with a 1-31 to 0-14 victory at Celtic Park.

The Oak Leafers are now top of the second tier on scoring difference heading into the final two games of the campaign with Louth (away) and Cavan (home) to come, while Cork host Kildare before travelling to face Tyrone.

Ciaran Meenagh's side played against the wind in the first half and trailed eight points to five midway through the half, with Steven Sherlock using the elements to land two monster two-pointers.

The Oak Leaf county started to take control of the Cork kick-out, winning eight across the half to drag themselves back into the contest, and led 1-10 to 0-9 at the break.

Their dominance was reinforced by winning four opposition restarts in a row before the hooter to score 1-3 without reply, with Conor Glass threading through the eye of the needle to find Lachlan Murray to blast to the net with the final action of the half.

Ruairi Deane opened the second half before Derry put the game to bed with 10 unanswered scores including a two-pointer from Niall Loughlin, with all six of the home forwards registering scores.

Cork went over 12 minutes without troubling the scoreboard before Dara Sheedy stopped the rot.

Shane McGuigan, who finished with 0-9, landed a two-pointer to add gloss to a fourth victory in a row for the home side.