Longford claim top spot while Warwickshire record impressive win

Longford claimed top spot in Division 3B of the Allianz Hurling League after inflicting a first defeat of the campaign on Sligo, while Warwickshire recorded an impressive 14-point win over Leitrim.

A hat-trick of first half goals set Longford on the road to a 4-13 to 1-4 victory over Sligo at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this afternoon.

Longford led by 3-9 to 0-3 at half-time, with Declan Tanner (2-3) bagging two first half goals and John Newman registering the other three-pointer.

Sligo scored a goal of their own from Ciaran Brennan in the second half, but not even the efforts of Gary Waldron (0-2), Liam Reidy and Conor O'Mahony (0-1) could turn around Sligo's fortunes, with Joe O'Brien claiming Longford's fourth goal.

The sides will meet once again in the divisional final in a fortnight's time.

Warwickshire grabbed their first win of the campaign in impressive fashion as they ran out 5-18 to 1-16 winners over Leitrim at Páirc na hÉireann in Birmingham.

Warwickshire led by four points - 0-11 to 0-7 - at half-time, but the defences opened up in the second half with six goals produced.

Alan O'Neill claimed a hat-trick for the hosts, with Reamonn McEntree and Dessie Kelly also firing home second half goals.

Clement Cunniffe kept Leitrim ticking over with 1-13 of the visitors' tally. Michael Dolan, Kevin O'Connor and Sean Fox landed their other scores, but Warwickshire worked hard in attack and were full value for their victory.