Mayo and Kerry to square off in Division 1 final as Tyrone go down despite win over Dubs

March 23, 2025

Kerry's Dylan Geaney celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Galway in Salthill ©INPHO/Tommy Grealy

Mayo will face Kerry in next weekend’s Allianz Football League Division 1 final after both sides recorded victories in their respective seventh round outings this afternoon.

Kevin McStay’s team were made battle to the finish to earn a 1-18 to 1-16 win against Donegal in Castlebar, where the home side not only earned a place in the league decider but also avoided relegation as Tyrone slipped down as a result of the head-to-head rule having lost to Armagh in the earlier rounds.

Donegal had made the better start against the Westerners, running up a 0-6 to 0-2 lead before Jack Carney hit their net in the 20th minute and from there the hosts went on to hold a 1-7 to 0-6 advantage at the break.

The Ulster champions netted their goal three minutes into the restart via Eoin McHugh and got it level before Ryan O’Donoghue fired over a brace of two-pointers for the Connacht men.

Jim McGuinness’s side were still able to battle back and level matters and looked like winning it when they were awarded a penalty with five minutes to go, but Dara O Baoill’s effort was stopped by Colm Reape and an O'Donoghue point in the dying stages would put the seal on Mayo’s victory.

In Salthill, Kerry produced an impressive display to see off Galway by 3-24 to 2-19 and move into their first Division 1 final in three years.

Gavin White and Dylan Geaney supplied goals for the Kingdom inside the opening 10 minutes and while Rob Finnerty netted one at the other end for the hosts, it was the Munster champions that led by 2-11 to 1-10 at the half.

Kerry extended their lead early in the second-half only to concede a Matthew Tierney goal in the 45th minute, but it made no difference as a stirring closing quarter saw them powering to victory with Damien Bourke’s goal on the hour being backed up by the points of Conor Geaney (2), Killian Spillane and Tony Brosnan to secure their league final berth.

Meanwhile, Malachy O’Rourke Tyrone side went down fighting as they dealt a 2-20 to 1-16 defeat to Dublin in Omagh.

A shaky start from the Red Hands saw Con O’Callaghan hitting their net in the 12th minute but it’d be wiped away by Darragh Canavan’s goal on the quarter hour mark.

From there, the hosts raced clear and, after leading by 10 points at half-time, Michael McKernan’s goal in the 59th minute would rap up the win which proved in vain after Mayo’s result against Donegal and Armagh keeping it to script against Derry.

The All-Ireland champions secured their status by dishing out a 4-24 to 1-18 defeat to the already relegated Oak Leafers at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, where Ross McQuillan, Conor Turbitt, Barry McCambridge and Darragh McMullen bagged the home side’s goals during a devastating seven minute spell just after half-time.


Most Read Stories

Offaly disquiet at hurling league final venue

Canavan calls for calendar change amid league final disinterest

Joyce allays Walsh injury concerns

Corrigan Park will host Antrim-Armagh clash after all

Hayes injury not as serious as first feared