Christy Ring wins for Kerry, Wicklow, Down and Meath

Kerry, Wicklow, Down and Meath progressed to the next round of the Christy Ring Cup following Round 2 action this afternoon.

Kerry led from start to finish as they claimed a 0-14 to 0-8 win over Derry at Austin Stack Park, Tralee

Aided by a strong wind assistance in the opening half, the hosts held a 0-10 to 0-4 interval leal.

Kerry made a strong start to this contest and led by 0-8 to 0-3 after 25 minutes, with seven of those points for the hosts from Shane Nolan.

The hosts fired nine first half wides, but found it tough on the restart, as Derry came more into contention.

Defences stood firm in the opening eight minutes of the second half, with the wind decreasing in strength as this game progress.

Six points separated the sides on a 0-12 to 0-6 score-line entering the final quarter.

The sides were well matched in the closing 17 minutes, sharing four points equally, with John Griffin and John Egan on target for Kerry as they held out for a six-point win.

Derry will be hoping to stay in the competition next weekend, when they face one of the winners from Round 2B this afternoon.

A superb second half display earned Wicklow a 4-19 to 3-10 win over Mayo at Arklow.

Andy O'Brien equalled the Mayo tally of 3-10, as Wicklow came from a four-point interval deficit, to have 12 points to spare at the full-time whistle.

Mayo led by 2-8 to 1-7 at half-time, with Kenny Feeney (3-3) netting both of the visitors first-half goals.

Wicklow began the second half strongly with an O'Brien goal helping to tie the game within four minutes of the restart.

Wicklow held Mayo scoreless until the 23rd minute of the second half as they tagged on 2-10 without reply, including a further O'Brien goal in the 50th minute.

Feeney bagged his third goal on the stroke of the 70th minute, with Sean Regan (0-3). Brian Hunt, Stephen Hoban, Darren McTigue, Declan Gallagher (0-1 each) keeping Mayo in touch.

However, Feeney's goal was mere consolation for Mayo as Wicklow held out for an impressive win.

Down impressed throughout as they recorded a nine-point win over Ulster rivals Armagh by 1-20 to 1-11 in the Christy Ring Cup this afternoon.

The visitors led from the opening score, and made full use of a strong wind assistance and they opened up a 0-12 to 0-5 interval lead.

Down continued to dominate on the restart, and led by 1-18 to 1-10 with 11 minutes remaining, with Bredagh's Donal Hughes netting the visitors goal, after being introduced as a half-time substitute.

A goal kept Armagh in touch, but Down had that extra edge.

James Coyle led the scoring charge for the visitors with seven points from play, while Paul Braniff was equally impressive from placed-balls, with six points - three from frees and two-pointed 65's.

Leinster rivals Kildare and Meath produced an entertaining battle, which required extra-time before the visitors prevailed on a 0-22 to 1-16 score-line at St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge.

Kildare were held to just three points in extra-time as Meath dug deep for victory.

Earlier, it was an early goal from Gerry Keegan which set the hosts up nicely, as they led by 1-9 to 0-7 at half-time of normal time.

Meath cut the defect to a point in the 58th minute, with a tight final quarter produced.

The sides were tied at 1-13 to 0-16 in the 68th minute, with Kildare's defence coming under strong pressure.

However, the heroics of Paul Dermody between the posts with some excellent saves, ensured extra-time was required.

Meath looked sharper and more composed in extra-time, and led by 0-21 to 1-13 at half-time, with Kildare reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of Paul Divilly.

Kildare held Meath to one point on the restart, but the Lilywhites were unable to get enough scores as the visitors held out for a three-point win.