Hurling League Division 2A round-up
The Derry, Laois and Kerry hurlers all got their Allianz NHL Division 2A campaigns off to winning starts this afternoon.
Derry are top of the table on points difference after they registered a comfortable 2-19 to 0-10 win over Wicklow at Celtic Park.
The proverbial cliché of 'a game of two halves' was certainly in evidence as the hosts were in superb form in the opening half, but let the Garden County stage a firm comeback on the restart.
The Oak Leafers led by 2-14 to 0-2 at half-time, with Niall Ferris and Kevin Hinphey scoring their goals.
Ruairi Convery was also in superb form for Derry, but his side found it tough in the second half as they were outscored by eight points to five.
However, the foundations for victory were laid in the opening half as they held out for a comfortable 15-point success.
Laois withstood the second half dismissal of Willie Dunphy as Seamus Plunkett's first league game in charge of the O'Moore men ended in a 1-19 to 1-10 triumph over Kildare at St. Conleth's Park.
The visitors led by 1-10 to 1-4 at half time with Brian Dunne netting a 34th minute goal. Earlier, Kildare captain Paul Divilly had registered the host's three-pointer.
Six points separated the sides with 15 minutes remaining, but Laois always looked likely winners despite Dunphy's dismissal in the 60th minute.
In the opening game of the day Kerry ran out 2-10 to 0-13 winners over Westmeath at Austin Stack Park in Tralee.
Westmeath led by 0-8 to 1-4 at the interval, with Derek McNicolas and Niall O'Brien among those on target. However, they were on the back foot in the second half as the hosts took command.
Aidan Boyle was on target for Kerry's first half goal, with good displays also by Tommy Barrett in defence and Dan Collins at midfield.
Shane Nolan did some tremendous work on the restart, with two quick scores pushing the hosts in front.
Bernard Rochford denied Eoin Price a goal in the final quarter following a point-blank save, and Westmeath's fortunes took a further bad turn seven minutes from time with the dismissal of Blaine Laharte on a second yellow card.
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