Nicky Rackard Cup Round-up: Tyrone narrowly edged past their Ulster rivals Donegal 2-12 to 2-11 in their opening Nicky Rackard Group 3C encounter in Letterkenny last night.
Corner forward Peter O'Connor fired home two early goals to set Tyrone on their way, but Donegal proved determined opposition and pushed the Red Hands' all the way.
In the Group 3D game Sligo were too much for Cavan, winning 3-15 to 1-07 at Markievicz Park.
Cavan started the better of the two sides when Philip Brady scored the opening goal. However, the advantage didn't last long as the Aidan Walsh, Joe Bannerton and Paul Severs quickly tipped the balance as the home side led 3-10 to 10-5 at half-time.
The second half didn't have the same high tempo as the first period as Sligo's defence remained strong.
In Group 3B Eoin McGuinness's second goal of the game denied Leitrim 3-16 to 2-16 in a closely fought game in Newry.
Leitrim had led 2-11 to 1-07 at the break through Clement Cunniffe and Liam Byrne both scoring goals, while McGuiness also scored in the first half.
In Group 3A Fingal came close to their first Nicky Rackard win but were denied by Louth 1-13 to 0-14 in Dundalk.
Emmet McCabe was in inspired form as he kicked seven first half frees for Fingal but Louth were still within two points at the break.
Ronan Byrne's second half goal for Louth was the telling difference in a closely contested match.
Nicky Rackard Cup Round One
Group 3A
Louth 1-13 Fingal 0-14
Dundalk
Group 3B
South Down 3-16 Leitrim 2-16
Newry
Group 3C
Donegal 2-11 Tyrone 2-12
Letterkenny
Group 3D
Sligo 3-15 Cavan 1-07
Markeivicz Park