Stackstown, winners of last year's Barton Cup, got off to a winning start in this year's competition when beating Craddockstown 3-2 in a preliminary round. However, the beaten finalists of a year ago, Lucan, made an early exit when going under 3-2 to Royal Tara.

Killinbeg, one of the new clubs in the Barton Cup, were surprise 4-1 winners over seasoned campaigners Greenore, while Rathsallagh were 3-2 winners over the Curragh.