Wicklow secured a top-place finish in Division 2B when roaring to a magnificent 2-16 to 0-16 victory over Derry at Ballinascreen.

Andy O’Brien’s goal on the stroke of half time assured the Garden County of a 1-9 to 0-4 interval lead and they held on for victory despite having O’Brien sent off for a second yellow card eight minutes from the end, Eoin McCormack adding the all-important second major late on.

Wicklow therefore have pipped previously-unbeaten Derry to top place on the head-to-head rule, both teams finishing with eight points, but the Oak Leafers nevertheless advance to the final (where they will meet Wicklow again next weekend) as Down dropped out of the race when losing to Kildare at Newbridge, 0-13 to 1-6.

At Letterkenny, Donegal and Warwickshire met in a dress rehearsal for the 2B relegation play-off, with the Tir Chonail men prevailing comfortably, 5-18 to 0-17, Kevin Kealy (2), Paddy Hannigan, Lee Henderson and Ronan McDermott with the goals for Mickey McCann's side.

Wicklow - C Staunton; B Kearney, B Cuddihy, M O'Brien; G Byrne, S Kelly, W Kavanagh; J Henderson (0-2), J Doyle; E McCormack (1-0), E Donohue (0-3, 1f), M Boland (0-1); C Moorehouse (0-5, 4f), A O'Brien (1-2, 0-1f), J O'Neill (0-2). Subs: D Staunton for J Doyle, E Kearns for M Boland, L Evans (0-1) for C Moorehouse, G Hughes for E Donohue.

Derry - S Kelly; P Kelly, S Cassidy, R McCartney; C Kelly, B Og McGilligan, L Hinphey; M McGuigan (0-1), P Cleary; G Bradley (0-1), R Mullan (0-11, 9f), T Brady; N Waldron, M McGrath (0-1), N Ferris. Subs: J Mullan (0-1) for N Waldron, D Cartin (0-1) for N Ferris, C Waldron for T Brady.

Referee - C Cunning.

**

Kildare - P McKenna; R Boran, J Doran, J Dolan; R Kelly, N O Muineachain, K Whelan; P Divilly, B Byrne (0-6f); Cathal Dowling (0-1), P Kennedy (0-1pen), J Burke; Conor Dowling (0-2), M Fitzgerald (0-2), J Sheridan (0-1). Sub: B Cormack for P Kennedy.

Down - S Keith; D Mallon, C Taggart, T Murray; M Fisher, M Conlon, L Savage; R McCrickard, C O'Prey (1-0); P Sheehan (0-3f), E Sands, R Costello; O McManus (0-3, 2f), D Sands, T Prenter. Subs: PJ Davidson for R McCrickard, D Toner for C O'Prey, G Hughes for P Sheehan, R McCusker for M Fisher, C Cassidy for T Murray.

Referee - C Mooney.

**

Donegal - P Burns; M Callaghan, C McDermott, C Parke; J O'Loughlin, P McCarron, C Matthewson (0-1); C Finn (0-1), J Boyle; D Duffy, O Rooney (0-2), R McDermott (1-2); L Henderson (1-6, 0-4f), P Hannigan (1-3), K Kealy (2-1). Subs: G Browne for D Duffy, C Flood for C Finn, R Hilferty (0-1) for C Mathewson, C McDermott for J O'Loughlin, J De Ward (0-1) for K Kealy.

Warwickshire - P Crean; M Regan, D Bruen, F White; J Collins (0-12, 8f), P Scally, R Donoghue; T Kelly, D King; R Curley, D O'Neill, K Magee; J McDermott, I Dwyer (0-5, 2f), C Boyle.

Referee - J Clarke.

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