IT WAS a rough day for Ulster counties in the National Hurling League as Antrim, Derry, Down, Donegal and Fermanagh fell to often heavy defeats in their respective divisions. Armagh and Monaghan were the only northern teams to buck the trend.
In Division 2A, Antrim had their unbeaten start to the season brought to a shuddering halt during another visit to forget at Cusack Park, Mullingar. Despite keeping in touch for much of the encounter, the Saffrons ultimately went down to a 2-11 to 0-10 defeat to a Westmeath side who now top the division.
Derry had it no easier on their visit to Carlow as the Barrowsiders racked up a total of 2-25 to the Oak Leafs’ comparatively measly nine points. Tom McLean’s men finished the game with 12-men on the Cullen Park pitch as they remain pointless in Division 2A.
In Division 2B, Mayo made it three wins from three with a four-point victory over Down at Páirc Esler. Armagh, though, joined Down on four points after three games with a fine 2-16 to 2-15 victory over Wicklow at Aughrim. Donegal’s start to the season went from bad to worse as they were hammered by Meath at Trim, the game finishing 2-35 to 0-9 in the Royals’ favour.
Monaghan got their first points on the board in Division 3A with a 2-19 to 1-12 home win over Louth, while Fermanagh began their Division 3B campaign with a five-point reverse to Sligo.
In the top division, meanwhile, Waterford won by the narrowest of margins against Tipperary at Semple Stadium. A late Austin Gleeson free from inside his own half got the Déise over the line in a dramatic finish against their Munster rivals.
Richie Hogan and TJ Reid were in form for Kilkenny as they got their second win of the campaign against Galway at Nowlan Park. Galway staged a second-half resurgence after a fine Kilkenny start, but fell short in a 0-21 to 1-14 victory for the Cats.
SUNDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Division 1A
Kilkenny 0-21 Galway 1-14; Tipperary 1-17 Waterford 1-18
Division 1B
Kerry 0-8 Wexford 2-25; Offaly 0-14 Limerick 1-19
Division 2A
Carlow 2-25 Derry 0-9; Westmeath 2-11 Antrim 0-10
Division 2B
Wicklow 2-15 Armagh 2-16; Down 0-16 Mayo 0-20; Meath 2-35 Donegal 0-9
Division 3A
Monaghan 2-19 Louth 1-12; Roscommon 1-14 Fingal 0-16
Division 3B
Sligo 1-14 Fermanagh 1-9; Longford 3-12 Leitrim 0-13
