Christy Ring Cup gets underway
Kerry, Derry, Meath and Kildare all claimed wins in the opening round of the Christy Ring Cup this afternoon.
Kerry were 3-16 to 2-17 winners over Down at Páirc Esler in Newry. An early Aiden Boyle goal gave the visitors the platform to dominate the first half of the game.
The sides traded points on two occasions early on, but once Boyle netted in the 11th minute the Kingdom failed to trail this game.
Down bounced back thanks to a Danny Toner goal, but a second Kerry goal ensured a 2-12 to 1-8 interval lead for the Munster side.
Down bounced back strongly to tie the game at 2-13 apiece in the 50th minute, with James Coyle bagging their second goal.
However, Kerry worked hard to take the lead with Shane Nolan registering a quick 1-1, and although Kevin McGarry claimed a brace of points late on it was too little, too late as Kerry took the spoils.
Derry withstood a late Wicklow rally to hold out for a slender 1-11 to 1-10 success at the Derry GAA Centre of Excellence at Owenbeg.
Ger Rogan's side led by 1-11 to 0-7 entering the closing 10 minutes, but an Andy O'Brien penalty goal brought the visitors back into contention. Wicklow cut the gap to the minimum, but Derry managed to hold on to secure an encouraging result.
Earlier, the hosts got off to a perfect start with an Oisin McCloskey goal helping his side to a 1-0 to 0-0 lead after nine minutes.
Derry opened up a 1-2 to 0-1 lead by the end of the opening quarter, following scores from Shane Farren and Alan Grant.
McCloskey's goal separated the sides at the break on a 1-4 to 0-4 interval scoreline, but Derry stole a march once again on the restart.
Scores from Grant, Farren and McCloskey ensured a 1-9 to 0-7 lead after 57 minutes.
Wicklow failed to give up, inspired by O'Brien's goal and scores from substitute Paul Cleary, only for Derry to prevail in the end.
Meanwhile, the Meath hurlers staged a strong second half display to claim a 1-20 to 2-10 win over Armagh at Trim.
2-8 to 0-9 in arrears after 47 minutes, Cillian Farrell's charges dug deep in the closing quarter.
A Barry Slevin goal swung the game in the Royals' favour and they kept going until the end to take a seven-point triumph.
At Newbridge, Kildare got the better of Mayo on a 1-23 to 0-15 scoreline.
Paul Divilly and Gerry Keegan led the hosts' scoring charge in the opening half, as Kildare took a 0-12 to 0-8 interval lead.
Teenager Sean Regan kept the visitors in touch, but a 48th minute goal from Bernard Deay paved the way for an 11-point win for the hosts.
The competition is not over for Down, Wicklow, Armagh and Mayo who now will aim for quarter-final berths via the back door route.
