Wicklow secured a Christy Ring Cup semi-final spot after a late scoring burst in Arklow on Saturday.

With two 13-point wins over Wicklow under their belt in the past year, Kerry were shocked by Casey O’Brien’s men in their opening defence of their Christy Ring Cup title at Arklow on Saturday.

Goals in the first and third quarters boosted Wicklow to a survival success over battling Down in the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A relegation play-off at Trim.

Carlow hurlers, the unbeaten leaders of Division 2A, had to rely on an injury-time point by substitute Shane Kavanagh to secure a draw with gutsy Wicklow in their final game at Aughrim yesterday.

A flood of scores in the second half helped Westmeath to a flattering 18-point win over a limited Wicklow side in last Saturday’s Hurling League Division 2 tie at Mullingar.

Kerry put their troubles behind them yesterday when they travelled to Aughrim to pick up the first points of the league.

Wicklow’s ace free-taker Jonathan O’Neill was back to near his best scoring form yesterday as his side secured a draw with Derry.

Kerry 2-21 Wicklow 2-8

Wicklow 3-18 Louth 2-9

Scotland 1-10 Ireland 1-09, Nowlan Park

Michael Ellard and Brendan Larkin