SLICKNESS on the break steered Down hurlers out of trouble against a strong Derry challenge at Ballycran yesterday, winning by 2-11 to 0-11.

Derry matched the home side in most sectors of the field, but relied too much on the scoring prowess of centre forward Oliver Collins who shot seven points of his side's total.

Down made the decisive breaks either side of half time. Points by Johnny McGrattan and Sean Mallon in the 28th and 30th minutes gave them a 0-7 to 0-5 interval lead, and Barry Coulter sent a Sean Mallon cross to the net 30 seconds into the second half as Down built up to a 1-8 to 0-5 advantage.

Wicklow hurlers undermined home side Carlow with two goals in injury time at the end of the first half at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday on the way to a 3-11 to 0-13 win.

Carlow were coasting to a comfortable 0-9 to 0-5 interval lead when Wicklow struck for goals from Stephen Coady and John Hyland, to turn over two points in arrears.

The home side responded by levelling the scores twice in the second half. However, the destination of the league points were finally decided in the 53rd minute. At that stage, Stephen Coady saw his shot take a deflection off Carlow full back Stephen Bambrick and go past goalkeeper Richie Kealthy for a rather bizarre score.

Kildare maintained their winning start with a comfortable 2-10 to 0-8 win over Louth in Drogheda yesterday afternoon, having led by 1-8 to 0-3 at half time.

The home side enjoyed their best spell of the match shortly after half time when they reduced the deficit to five points, 1-9 to 0-7.

With his first touch Curtin smashed the ball to the net following up a Tom Carew shot.