Damien Fox's reign as Laois hurling manager got off to a very satisfactory start as the midlanders ended Down's Walsh Cup hopes with a 2-15 to 1-9 defeat at Rathdowney.

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 travel to face Wexford today in Division 1B of the National Hurling League, hoping for more league points after picking up their first win of the campaign last weekend.

DIARMUID O’SULLIVAN, who recently announced he was quitting football to concentrate on hurling, will miss Cork’s Allianz NHL clash with Wexford at Wexford Park on Sunday because of a groin injury.

Down include three debutants in their line-up ahead of Sunday's NHL Div 2A clash with Antrim in Portaferry.

Antrim 3-16, Down 1-18

A point from substitute Jerome Trainor grabbed a draw for Down in the Guinness Ulster Senior hurling semi-final at Casement Park.