Carlow’s early blitz proves too much for London

NHL Divisional round-up: Carlow remain the front runners in Division 2A after they burst out of the blocks in Ruislip on Saturday, putting London to the sword.

Heavy underfoot conditions soon turned this contest into a mudbath. Carlow had made the best of the comparatively good ground in the early stages as Marty Kavanagh, Sean Murphy and Seamus Murphy all rattled the net. Carlow led by 3-7 to 0-1 at half-time and eased to a 3-12 to 0-7 victory.

Derry moved into third place, behind Kerry on scoring difference, thanks to a 2-15 to 3-10 win over Westmeath at Owenbeg. Alan Grant’s goal helped them into a 1-9 to 1-6 half-time lead and that gap was pushed out to five after the restart, but goals from Niall Dowdall and Alan Devine, as well as a string of Brendan Murtagh frees, edged Westmeath in front late on. However, Declan Foley delivered a crucial late goal for Derry.