Kilmallock broke a six-year hoodoo for Munster club hurling champions this afternoon when they easily overcame Portaferry of Down by 2-19 to 0-12 at Cusack Park in Mullingar.

Down star Paul Braniff has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling and says the Hurling 2020 committee’s proposal to take the Christy Ring Cup final out of Croke Park does nothing for the game’s promotion.

Cork produced a storming last quarter to deny Down in a pulsating Irish Daily Star Camogie League Division 2 final in Clane.

“There is no real thought given to the development of hurling in weaker counties.” So says Kerry hurling trainer Tom Howard.

Down 0-25 Derry 1-16, Athletic Grounds

Down 1-16 Derry 0-19

Down 1-16 Derry 0-19

Down 3-16 Kerry 2-17

Down 3-16 Kerry 2-17

Down 0-23 Meath 1-10

There was drama aplenty in the Christy Ring Cup semi-finals this afternoon, with Down and Meath having to do it all again after an extra-time draw, while Kerry advanced to the decider following a comfortable win over Kildare.

Bord na Mona Kehoe Shield Final

Derry 0-24 Down 0-13, Casement Park

Twice Down came from behind to grind out a draw with London in this exciting and closely fought Christy Ring Cup semi-final at Páirc Esler on Saturday.

Wicklow will contest the Christy Ring Cup final at Croke Park on Saturday, June 9 after beating Leinster rivals Meath. But their opponents in the decider have yet to be confirmed as Down and London drew their semi-final after extra-time.

Meath overturned an 11-point half-time deficit to beat London by a point, while there were wins also for Derry, Down and Wicklow in the Christy Ring Cup's opening round this weekend.

Down 0-17 Wicklow 2-14

Kerry secured their place in Allianz Hurling League Division 2A after this victory at Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday.

RESOLUTE Armagh stunned Down in yesterday’s Ulster SHC semi-final at wintry Casement Park to push the Mourne men out of the race and book themselves a place in the decider against Antrim.

Armagh 0-14 Down 1-10

DOWN’S hurlers strolled to an Ulster SHC semi-final, hammering Derry by 16 points at Casement Park yesterday.

Down 3-19 Derry 1-09, Casement Park

Down 1-17 Kerry 1-18

Kildare and Down booked their places in the Christy Ring Cup semi-finals following wins in today's quarter-final encounters.

Down 3-15 Laois 3-11

PORTADOWN recorded a deserved 2-1 victory over 10-man Bohemians in the Setanta Sports Cup first round, first leg clash at Dalymount Park last night.

Antrim 4-22 Down 1-12

Down 4-24 Armagh 0-9

CHRISTY RING CUP (Quarter-final): Westmeath 2-21 Down 1-18, Wicklow 3-13 Meath 1-18

NHL DIVISION 2:

Carlow 1-15 Down 0-14

Antrim 3-20 Down 4-15, Casement Park

Carlow 3-18 Down 2-11

Down 0-14 Offaly 2-21

Laois 1-13 Down 0-10

ULSTER’S spirited display in the M Donnelly Interprovincial hurling semi-final in Fermoy brought some welcome respite from the miserable weather conditions that enveloped the Cork town on Saturday.

CHRISTY RING CUP GROUP 2B: DOWN 3-13 CARLOW 0-19

Antrim 3-19 Down 2-15

Despite missing both Billy and Shane Brick, Kerry's hurlers still have enough quality to see off the challenge of Wicklow by 4-07 to 1-11 in NHL Division 2A this afternoon.

CORK CITY rediscovered their scoring touch and reignited their Setanta Cup challenge with a four-goal salvo against Portadown at Turner’s Cross last evening.

Offaly's David Franks led the scoring as Leinster eased their way into the M Donnelly Interprovincial hurling final last night, taking a 2-19 to 0-12 victory over Ulster.

Two late goals from Des Murphy wrecked Down’s dream of an all-Ulster Christy Ring Cup final at Cusack Park.

Laois 0-19 Down 2-16

Cork 3-25 Down 0-09

Down 1-14 Offaly 1-18

Everton 1 Millwall 0

Leeds United 2 Millwall 1

Waterford 3-18 Down 0-19

LIMERICK football boss Liam Kearns has released Stephen Lucey and Conor Fitzgerald from his panel to line out for the county hurlers in their NHL phase two clash with Waterford at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

Down 0-5 Tipperary 4-20