Monaghan are on the cusp of an immediate return to Division 1 of the Allianz Football League after seeing off Meath by 1-29 to 1-20 at Pairc Tailteann this afternoon.
Gabriel Bannigan’s side hit the accelerator in the second quarter to score an unanswered 1-6, including an Andrew Woods goal, which ushered them towards a 1-20 to 0-8 lead at half-time.
Meath made the best possible start to the second-half with an Eoghan Frayne goal and, while they’d get back within single digits midway through the second period, they wouldn’t come close to closing the margin.
Instead points from Jack McCarron, Conor McCarthy and Michael Banningan cemented Monaghan’s fifth win, meaning a result against Down next Sunday in Clones will guarantee their promotion from Division 2.
The #AllianzLeagues Division 2 Table after Round 6
— GAA League Tables (@GAALeagueTables) March 16, 2025
Down 1-26 v 0-28 Westmeath
Meath 1-20 v 1-29 Monaghan
Cork 1-23 v 0-18 Louth
Roscommon 0-20 v 0-22 Cavan
⬇️ Westmeath will play Division 3 Football in 2026. #GAA #Football #Cavan #Cork #Down #Louth #Meath #Monaghan… pic.twitter.com/cVpaNEMNSO
Also in the running for promotion going into next weekend's final round of games is Cavan after they tore up the script at Dr Hyde Park with a 0-22 to 0-20 victory over Roscommon.
The visitors trailed by 0-11 to 0-9 at the halfway stage, but would hit the front by the 42nd minute thanks to back-to-back two pointers from Dara McVeety and Gearoid McKiernan.
The sides were level on 0-18 apiece with a quarter of an hour left and it was scores from Barry Donnelly, Cian Madden, McVeety and substitute Sean McEvoy that saw Raymond Galligan’s charges over the line to their fourth win in-a-row.
Meanwhile, Cork recorded a crucial win over Louth in the bid to avoid relegation to Division 3.
It finished 1-23 to 0-18 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, where the hosts led by nine points at the break and struck the game’s only goal in the 42nd minute via Colm O’Callaghan to go up by 14.
The Rebels face Cavan next weekend while Louth take on promotion chasing neighbours Meath on the same day looking to gain two points to avoid the drop.
TweetStill so much to be decided on the final day in Div.2 - next Sunday, all 1.30pm throw-ins
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) March 16, 2025
Cavan (promotion shout) v Cork (playing for Sam)
Monaghan (promotion) v Down (survival)
Louth (survival) v Meath (promotion shout)
Roscommon (promotion shout) v Westmeath (relegated) https://t.co/1cR6f6l9YI