With the league season returning, here’s a look at some crucial opening-day wins for Ulster sides that helped their promotion pushes

2025 – Down 2-19 Kildare 0-22

AN opening-day win that carried more than just two points as it gave Down the launchpad for their eventual successful promotion push from Division Two of the NHL.

Stormy weather had left conditions difficult, but Ronán Sheehan’s side played some excellent hurling in Ballycran to secure a 2-19 to 0-22 win.

The goals came in the first half, through Daithí Sands and Shea Pucci, and it gave Down something to hold on to.

Kildare fought back gallantly in the second half to lead by one late on, but Down hit four late points to take the spoils.

2024 – Armagh 0-12 Louth 0-11

ULSTER duo Armagh and Donegal were fancied to come out of Division Two, but that needed backing up and for the Orchard County, the ability to eke out victory over Louth was vital.

There was a league debut for a certain Oisín Conaty but it took 20 minutes for Armagh to score, that point coming via a Conor Turbitt free.

Louth had four points on the board by that stage and were clearly the better side, but they only led 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval.

Louth moved four ahead once more early in the second half but Jarly Óg Burns impressed from the bench and Stefan Campbell kept Armagh in touch with the side moving in front for the first time last on.

Sam Mulroy had a chance to earn a draw for Louth at the death, but his shot tailed wide.

2023 – Fermanagh 0-15 Longford 0-8

ONE of Fermanagh’s best league campaign of recent times was their Division Three 2023 season that brought six wins from seven games.

They got off on the right foot with a 0-15 to 0-8 win over Longford in Ederney.

The hosts led 0-11 to 0-6 at the break inspired by big performances from Darragh McGurn, Ultan Kelm and Roslea’s Seán Quigley, who knocked over seven frees on the day.

Kieran Donnelly’s side lost their way in front of the posts in the second half, but it mattered little with Longford unable to profit.

2022 – Derry 2-14 Sligo 1-14

THIS result was ultimately the difference between Derry earning promotion from 2B or having to battle it out in a play-off.

Derry’s pre-season had been disrupted by the long club campaigns of Sleacht Néill and Banagher, and it showed with a patchy display.

There were some real promising signs though with goalkeeper Oisin O’Doherty accuracy personified with his restarts while brother Cormac landed nine frees in breezy conditions. Gerald Bradley and Tiernan McHugh grabbed the goals while Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch hit an amazing 1-12 for the visitors.

2021 – Louth 3-8 Antrim 1-15

THE Covid-19 pandemic saw the leagues divided into pools of four, so every point was absolutely vital and Antrim’s opening win in Louth was massive.

Mickey Harte was chasing his first win as Louth manager in this Division Four North clash, but the Saffrons landed a trio of late scores to come out on top, just.

When Sam Mulroy grabbed his second goal of the day with six minutes remaining, it looked like Louth were on their way to the points but Enda McGinley’s side stood up with points from Paddy Cunningham and Eunan Walsh tying it up. There was still time for Ryan Murray to land a last-gasp winner before being sent off moments later.

2020 – Armagh 2-18 Cavan 1-8

WHEN Armagh destroyed Cavan in their Division Two opener in 2020, it seemed like they would stroll to promotion, but the value of these points only became clear after seven rounds when Kieran McGeeney’s side eventually got over the line against Clare to go up.

That make-or-break scenario further down the line seemed unlikely in this one-sided Ulster derby.

Conor Turbitt set the tone with three points in the opening five minutes of his NFL debut.

The hosts were comfortable at the break and even more so a minute into the second half when Turbitt hit the net. A Stefan Campbell penalty took the game well out of Cavan’s reach with James Smith bundling home a consolation goal for the Breffni outfit.