Visitors Laois, Westmeath and Kerry impress

There was a trio of away wins in Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League as Laois, Westmeath and Kerry all claimed victories this weekend.

Nine different players were on target for Laois as the visitors impressed throughout in their 2-20 to 0-8 win over Derry at Celtic Park.

Seamus Plunkett's charges were certainly fired up and led by 1-13 to 0-4 at half-time, with Tommy Fitzgerald netting a 23rd minute goal.

Half-forwards Stephen Maher, Zane Keenan and Willie Hyland also impressed for the O'Moore men in an opening half which saw Paddy Henry do his best to keep Derry in touch from placed balls.

Keenan bagged Laois' second goal six-and-a-half minutes after the restart to ensure a 2-14 to 0-4 lead.

Laois could have claimed further goals but Derry were resilient at the back, with their goalkeeper Darrell McDermott pulling off three fine saves in the second half.

Meanwhile, buoyed on by their victory over Laois last Monday, Westmeath travelled to Arklow in confident mood and came away with a 0-21 to 2-8 triumph over Wicklow.

Despite having seven points to spare at the full-time whistle, it was not easy for Westmeath as they only led by the minimum margin at the break on a 0-9 to 1-5 scoreline.

Wind assisted, Brian Hanley's charges upped their game on the restart and although they leaked a second goal, the visitors did enough to hold out for victory.

On Saturday, Kerry backed up their own win over Wicklow in the previous round with a 2-16 to 1-16 defeat of Kildare at St. Conleth's Park in Newbridge.

Kildare started strongly and led by 0-3 to 0-1 early on, but scores from Darragh O'Connell and the impressive Shane Nolan tied the game at the end of the opening quarter.

The visitors led by 0-9 to 0-8 at the interval with John Griffin and Nolan claiming scores.

Kildare found the net on the restart and took the lead entering the final quarter, but Nolan dug deep with a goal and the Kingdom prevailed to lie third overall in the table, tied on six points with Westmeath and leaders Laois.