Walsh Cup round-up

Carlow, UCD, Wexford and NUI Galway took wins in the opening round of the Bord na Mona Walsh Cup.

Carlow showed no mercy to their former manager Kevin Ryan's new Antrim charges as the Barrowsiders claimed a facile 1-17 to 0-10 win at Dr Cullen Park.

Neil McManus opened the scoring, with the first point of this game for the visitors - but teenager Marty Kavanagh was impressive for the hosts with four first-half points.

Carlow led by 0-8 to 0-2 after 22 minutes, and held a 0-11 to 0-6 advantage at the interval.

Although Ryan made four changes at the break it failed to make a difference with Paul Coady netting a 39th minute goal to further extend the hosts lead.

Carlow now face a home meeting with beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway next weekend.

At Rathdowney, Seamus Plunkett's new reign as Laois Senior hurling manager ended with a slender 0-15 to 1-11 defeat to UCD.

Tipperary's Noel McGrath was in superb form for the students, registering 11 points on a day which brought occasional sleet during the game to the Laois venue.

A 23rd minute goal from Stephen Maher (1-6) saw Laois take a 1-8 to 0-8 half-time lead, but UCD took control on the restart.

Wexford required extra-time before disposing of DIT by 1-29 to 2-19 at Blackwater.

A Gary Moore free forced extra-time on a 0-21 to 2-15 score-line, but the hosts were strongest in extra-time, with Paul Morris netting their only goal.

Earlier, Wexford raced to a 0-4 to 0-0 lead in the opening stages with PJ Nolan, Gary Moore (2) and Harry Kehoe firing early scores for the hosts.

DIT bounced back thanks to the efforts of Kilkenny's Michael Maloney with the sides tied on three occasions in the second quarter, including at 0-8 apiece at the break.

Wexford raced two points clear on the restart, but little separated the sides in the third quarter.

A brace of goals in quick succession from Maloney and Conor McCormack gave DIT a 2-14 to 0-16 lead, but the students were outscored by five points to one in the closing stages, with Moore's equaliser forcing extra-time.

Wexford led by 0-26 to 2-17 at half-time in extra-time, with Ferns clubman Morris netting a goal on the restart to pave the way for a home side victory.

Wexford now host Offaly in a quarter-final tie next weekend.

A hat-trick of second half goals from Niall Burke helped NUI Galway take a 3-15 to 0-15 win over Westmeath at Lakepoint Park, Mullingar.

The hosts were left to rue 20 wides in this game, including 13 in the opening half, with the sides tied at the interval.

Brian Hanley's charges were minus Irish Hurling-Shinty International player Brendan Murtagh for this game, with Burke, Joe Cooney and Kevin Downes (0-7) influential for the visitors.