Derry edge Antrim as Cavan and Down fall short

It was an Ulster derby clash in the first round of fixtures in Division Four as Antrim hosted Derry in Corrigan Park.

Both sides harbour ambitions of promotion and the intensity of the game despite tough conditions proved these credentials.

Derry led 0-6 to 0-1 at the break and this lead was extended early in the second half as Shane McGuigan finished a penalty into the net.

But the Saffron’s refused to yield as Paddy McBride found the net and the sides were level as the clock ticked towards seventy.

Padriag Cassidy proved to be the match-winning hero fisting over the bar in the 70th minute to claim victory for his team by the narrowest of margins.

In Division Three, Down began life under Paddy Tally with a six point defeat at home to Laois.

Down led 0-9 to 0-5 at half-time but the Leinster men would come on strong in the second half kicking 2-10 in the second period.

Colm Murphy registered a 50th minute goal to give Laois the lead with twenty still to play, Donal O’Hare punched home a major for Down to put one between them with five to play.

But Laois were not leaving with a share of the points with Paul Cahillane finishing a fine flowing move.

Cavan began life in Division One with a narrow loss at the hands of Galway in Salthill.

The sides were level at five apiece when the half-time whistle sounded Jack Brady leading the Breffni charge.

Last year’s league runners-up showed the extra experience and guile in the second half as Cavan hampered by the new black-card rule fell short.

Allianz Football League Division One

Galway 0-13 Cavan 0-11

Allianz Football League Division Three

Down 1-12 Laois 2-15

Allianz Football League Division Four

Antrim 1-8 Derry 1-9