A whopping 0-12 from freetaker Paddy Henry got Derry off to the perfect start in the Christy Ring Cup but Kildare were left mystified with the referee as the Oak Leaf men scored 14 points from frees, and had 22 frees in total, to Kildare’s nine.

Carlow hurlers reeled off their fourth successive Division 2A win as they put visitors Derry to the sword by a 15-point margin at Dr Cullen Park yesterday to ensure a divisional final and a shot at promotion.

Derry produced a fine display of first-time hurling allied to some brilliant free-taking by their right half-forward Paddy Henry to overcome Down in this Allianz NHL Division 2A game in Pairc Esler, Newry yesterday.

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.

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

Tyrone 0-6 Derry 2-13

AN inexperienced Donegal’s grip on the Dr McKenna Cup slipped on Saturday night when they went down at home to Fermanagh, who won their first game of the John O’Neill era.

Donegal 0-11 Tyrone 0-8

THEY MAY have ridden their luck, but St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra will feel they deserved to qualify for the final of the Ulster Bank Trench Cup at the expense of Trinity College, Dublin at CIT yesterday.

Louth 0-22 Antrim 0-08

Fermanagh emerged as 1-09 to 0-09 victors in a tight Ulster SFC quarter-final tussle with Antrim in Enniskillen.

The Antrim football squad will take on an experimental look for the impending Dr McKenna Cup campaign with up to 13 newcomers included.