GAA round-up:League champions Derry got their National Football League Division One campaign off to winning start in Ballina, despite missing seven of their more established players and fielding five debutants.
Paddy Bradley set up Seamus Bradley for the crucial goal and there were late points from Paul Young and Paul McArden to put distance between themselves and Mayo.
In Mullingar, Galway’s Barry Cullinane was sent off for striking Westmeath’s Dessie Dolan after Michael Meehan’s penalty had given the Tribesmen the advantage.
Cullinane was dismissed at eight points each but a brilliant goal from Jonathan Ryan helped them cope with the loss and they saw off their hosts with a five point win.
In Tralee, Kerry were far too strong for Donegal and had the ball in the net through Colm Cooper before they had sent if over the bar.
Last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists took their foot of the gas in the second half and were outscored by their opponents but the damage had been done before the break, with Paul Galvin looking particularly impressive after his enforced absence last season.
In Division Two, Cork were comfortable winners over Meath, who had three players yellow carded in the second half. With the wind at their backs in the first half Michael Cussen fisted into the net as Cork established 1-07 to 0-02 lead by the break.
Cork played some free flowing stuff in the second half as Daniel Goulding scored five and Donncha O’Connor got four.
There was a comfortable win for Kildare after trailing by a point at halftime in Portlaoise. John Doyle scored three for the Lilywhites and Dermot Early was also instrumental as Kieran McGeeney’s men found their range in the second half.
Performance of the day, however, goes to Ryan Henderson who scored four goals and three points for Armagh as they demolished their hosts Wexford.
National Football League
Division One
Mayo 0-10 Derry 1-09
Westmeath 0-11 Galway 2-10
Kerry 2-13 Donegal 0-11
Division Two
Wexford 2-09 Armagh 4-16
Fermanagh 1-10 Monaghan 2-12
Cork 1-15 Meath 0-09
Laois 1-08 Kildare 0-18
Division Three
Roscommon 0-16 Offaly 0-07
Longford 3-06 Cavan 0-12
Louth 1-14 Limerick 0-06
Tipperary 1-09 Down 0-18
Division Four
Carlow 0-10 Clare 0-12
Sligo 3-20 Kilkenny 0-04
London 2-02 Leitrim 2-12
Antrim 0-15 Wicklow 3-06