ROUNDUP: Christy Ring Cup

The hurlers of Kerry, Wicklow, Kildare and Down advanced in the Christy Ring Cup following victories this afternoon.

At Austin Stack Park in Tralee, hosts Kerry recorded a hard-earned 1-20 to 1-17 victory over Meath.

John Meyler's charges battled hard in a game which saw John Egan score the Kingdom's lone goal.

Wicklow powered to an impressive 3-16 to 2-11 victory over Derry at the Gaelic Grounds in Aughrim.

Wicklow led by 3-11 to 1-01 at half-time, with Ronan Keddy and Andy O'Brien (2) netting the Garden County's goals.

Derry's woes were compounded by a straight red card for key attacker Ruairi Convery, with the Oak Leafers reduced to 13 men by the full-time whistle.

Kildare bounced back from their defeat to Meath last weekend to take a 1-20 to 2-10 win over Mayo in Castlebar.

The visitors started this game in strong fashion and led by 1-04 to 0-00 after 15 minutes as Michael O'Riordan's charges blasted out of the blocks.

It did not get any better for Mayo in the second quarter, as Kildare built up a 1-12 to 0-02 interval lead.

Mayo improved after the break with Cathal Freeman netting a brace of goals for the westerners - both from 21-metre frees. But Kildare had laid the foundations for victory in the opening half and they held out for a seven-point win.

In the all-Ulster clash at Ballycran, home side Down ran out 1-20 to 0-06 winners over Armagh.

Brendan Ennis netted the lone goal of the contest, slotting the ball into the top corner of the net in a game where Down never looked troubled.