Understrength Kerry hurlers defeat Wicklow

Despite missing both Billy and Shane Brick, Kerry's hurlers still have enough quality to see off the challenge of Wicklow by 4-07 to 1-11 in NHL Division 2A this afternoon.

The Kingdom built up a 2-06 to 1-04 half-time lead in Tralee with John Mike Dooley netting an early penalty after a foul on Gary O'Brien.

Both Dooley and O'Brien scored two goals apiece, while John Egan (0-05) and John Griffin and Giles O'Grady (0-01 each) completed the Kerry scoring.

On Saturday, a fired-up Westmeath side ran out 3-19 to 1-13 winners over Roscommon at Cusack Park in Mullingar.

The midlanders, who finished the game without the dismissed Brian Smith, led 3-11 to 0-06 at half-time. Adam Price netted twice for the hosts, while Niall Kilcoyne bagged Westmeath's opening goal.

Roscommon, who face Kerry next time out, grabbed a deserved goal through substitute Tomas Seale 20 minutes from the finish.

Meanwhile, Kildare made it two wins out of two in Division 2A by squeezing past Mayo on a 1-15 to 1-14 scoreline at Newbridge.

A David Harney penalty shot Kildare into a lead they never lost, although Mayo certainly put up a fight, helped by the introduction of dual player Keith Higgins.

Higgins goaled, four minutes from time, to close the gap on the Lilywhites, but with big contributions from Harney (1-03), Adrian McAndrew and Mattie Dowd (0-03 each) the home side held on.

In Division 2B, Derry picked up a 3-11 to 0-09 victory over London at Ballinascreen this afternoon.

Ruairi Convery smashed home two goals as the Oak Leafers secured their first league points. London held an early 0-05 to 0-02 lead but the hosts muscled their way ahead to take a 1-05 to 0-06 buffer into the break.

The introduction of dual player Liam Hinphey kept Derry on track during a well-contested second half.

The Ulster derby at Ballycran went the way of Down this afternoon as they beat Armagh by 2-22 to 0-13.

Paul Braniff had a crucial contribution for the Mourne men, tallying up 1-07. Armagh led early on before the home side seized control.

Braniff's goal helped Down led 1-07 to 0-08 at half-time and Stephen Murray's 54th-minute kicked goal, after a Brendan McGourty shot had hit the post, sealed the issue.

At Dr Cullen Park, Carlow edged their duel with Leinster rivals Meath by 2-15 to 1-13 to secure their first win of the league campaign.