Kilkenny won the first All-Ireland at the redeveloped Páirc Uí Chaoimh, off the back of a strong second-half showing, writes Eoghan Cormican.

Carlow 5-23 - Antrim 4-15: Carlow boss Colm Bonnar admitted his players forgot about the title at stake, and the place in the All-Ireland qualifiers, and simply focused on finally beating Antrim.

A goal in the 51st minute from corner forward Killian Doyle proved to be the decisive score as Westmeath survived the handicap of playing the entire second half with just 14 men to eke out a crucial win against neighbours Meath in the third and final round robin series of the Leinster senior hurling championship, in ideal conditions at Mullingar yesterday afternoon.

Fermanagh 3-16 Sligo 1-17: John Paul McGarry remembered an absent friend as Fermanagh finally claimed the Lory Meagher Cup title they’ve craved.

Kildare 0-22 Meath 0-17: Kildare shook off Leinster rivals Meath and claim the Allianz Hurling Division 2B title in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Saturday.

Cuchullians, Dunloy 1-7 Loughgiel Shamrocks 1-11

Wexford 3-20 Antrim 1-14

New York 1-14 Antrim 2-20, Canton

Antrim 5-13 Carlow 1-07

CARLOW captain Robbie Foley texted manager Eoin Garvey before their Christy Ring Cup semi-final against Down to tell him he was sure they would beat the Ulster side.

Malachy Dallas will hope to cover over the cracks left by the injured Liam Watson for Antrim's tilt at Christy Ring Cup glory on Sunday (Croke Park, throw-in 2pm).

Barney McAuley of Loughgiel and Cushendall’s Brian Delargy will make their league debuts for Antrim in Sunday’s NHL Division 1B opener against Galway at Casement Park (throw-in 2.30pm).

New Antrim manager Jim McKernan wants retired midfielder Jim Connolly to go back on his decision to quit the inter-county hurling.

Laois 1-23 Antrim 1-15

Beleaguered Antrim have made six changes and a number of positional switches as they bid to stave off relegation to the Christy Ring Cup against Laois on Saturday (Páirc Tailteann, Navan, throw-in 3.30pm).

KILDARE have been forced to make changes for Sunday’s Leinster SFC clash with Wicklow in Croke Park because of injuries to a number of regular players.

LIMERICK are taking no chances ahead of their Bank of Ireland, Munster SFC semi-final clash with next-door neighbours Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday next.

Antrim 3-16, Down 1-18