Ulster counties fail to win in hurling encounters

Damien Fox's Laois hurlers got their NHL Division 2A campaign off to a blistering start at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise today, with a facile 3-26 to 2-9 victory over Derry.

Laois were always in command in this game and held an early 0-6 to 0-2 lead with points from James Young, John Brophy, Shane Dollard and Joe Fitzpatrick, while league debutant Gareth O'Kane kept the visitors in touch.

Derry's failure to score between the fifth and 23rd-minutes was to prove costly as the midlanders tagged on scores at will and goals from Portlaoise duo Noel Costello and Tommy Fitzgerald saw them take a 2-13 to 0-2 advantage.

A Sean McBride goal from a 21-metre free gave Derry some hope but Laois still held firm command at the interval with a 16-point advantage.

Derry matched Laois well in the second half but with Philip Russell netting the home side's third goal and the late sending-off of the Oak Leafers' midfielder Liam Hinphey, five minutes from the end, their comeback hopes were at an end.

Also in Division 2A, Carlow staved off a determined challenge from Armagh to take a 2-12 to 1-7 win at Keady.

Craig Doyle's goal after sixth minute helped the Barrowsiders lead 1-8 to 0-6 at the break, with a late points-blitz from the hosts, with Paddy McArdle and Declan Coulter on target, reducing the gap to five points.

Coulter finished with eight points but it was not enough to see Armagh off to a winning start in the league as a Brendan Lawler goal, early on in the second half, kept Eoin Garvey's Carlow side on track.

Elsewhere, at Pairc Tailteann in Navan, Wicklow recorded an opening day win by beating Meath 0-17 to 0-11.

RESULTS:

Armagh 0-17 Carlow 2-12, Keady

Laois 3-26 Derry 2-9, Portlaoise

Meath 0-11 Wicklow 0-17, Pairc Tailteann