Substitute Daniel Watson was Dublin's hero as they claimed a 2-6 to 0-8 win over Louth at Parnell Park.

The All-Ireland champions didn't have it all their own way, and trailed by 0-3 to 0-1 at half-time, with Brian White, Derek Crilly and Liam Shevlin registering Louth's scores.

Louth ran out of steam as Watson bagged 2-1 in the closing stages to ensure a four-point win.

DCU continued their unbeaten run to set up a top of the table clash with the Metropolitans on Sunday, thanks to a 2-15 to 2-9 win over Westmeath in Mullingar.

Goals from Conor McGraynor and Patrick Fox helped DCU to a 2-6 to 0-7 interval lead, and although Paul Sharry and Dessie Dolan netted on the restart, the students held out for victory.

Kildare eased to a 3-20 to 0-6 win over Longford at Newtowncashel.

The visitors led by 1-11 to 0-2 at half-time with Padraig Fogarty netting their goal, while Micky Conway and Darroch Mulhall added further three-pointers on the restart.

Carlow lost their second game of the campaign, as Athlone IT claimed a 1-15 to 0-13 win at IT Carlow.

Carlow led by 0-10 to 1-5 at half-time, but the students carved out victory.

Wicklow had to dig deep to deliver a 1-21 to 3-13 win over DIT at Newtownmountkennedy.

The sides were tied at 0-13 to 2-7 at the break, with DIT moving five points clear on the restart following their third goal.

However, a Brendan Kennedy goal saw Wicklow regain the lead, and they held out for victory.

Ten players scored for Meath in their 0-18 to 0-12 win over IT Carlow at Páirc Tailteann in Navan.

Meath led by 0-10 to 0-7 at half-time, and kept up their momentum on the restart.

Laois registered six unanswered points late on in their 2-18 to 1-15 win over Offaly at O'Moore Park.

Goals from Conor Meredith and Martin Scully helped Laois to a 2-6 to 1-7 interval lead, while Ciarán Hurley netted for Offaly.

UCD never looked troubled in their 2-12 to 2-3 win over Wexford in Enniscorthy.

Goals from Ross Bergin and Liam Connerton were central to the students win, with Ciarán Lyng netting both Wexford goals in the second half.

Meanwhile, in the Power NI Dr. McKenna Cup, St Mary's University College Belfast registered a 3-8 to 1-10 win over Fermanagh at Brewster Park.

This game was postponed due to bad weather conditions on Sunday last, and again tonight weather played havoc with a thick fog prevailing at the Enniskillen venue.

Fermanagh raced to a 0-6 to 0-0 lead early on, but St Mary's bounced back to lead by 1-5 to 0-6 at the interval, with Conal McCann netting their goal.

Thomas Canavan bagged the students second goal on the restart, with Ronan Sexton completing their hat-trick late on.