WITH Fermanagh idle in nine-county Division Four, Carlow and Offaly forged two points clear of the pack with unspectacular wins over Tipperary and London respectively.

Dual player Brendan Cummins (2) and the experienced John Owens shot Tipperary into a three-point lead within four minutes at Ardfinnan. But any thoughts of a Tipperary shock quickly evaporated under a shower of Carlow points. Colm Hayden (2) and Ger Kavanagh precipitated the home side's downfall with points that tied up the score after only 10 minutes.

Carlow led 0-12 to 1-4 at the break and although a hectic final quarter flourish by Tipperary reduced Carlow's advantage to one point (0-14 to 1-10), Hayden and Sean Kavanagh kicked the all-important scores.

Offaly crossed the Irish Sea and fend out it was not tourist season at Ruislip. London offered stout-resistance, but besides the contribution of Sean McGrellis they lacked firepower in attack. Two early goals from Henry Malone and Peter Brady gave Offaly a cushion. But by the end they were all-out to hold the rallying exiles.

Waterford poached their first points in comfortable fashion at Askeaton. First use of the wind allowed them to construct a 0-8 to 0-1 lead, before goals from Michael O'Brien and Michael Downey effectively ended the matters as a contest. Thirteen points adrift at the break, Limerick ran out of ideas well short of the final whistle.

Sligo dished out a real drubbing to weekly lambs to the slaughter Kilkenny at Markievicz Park. Goals from Bernard Mulhern and Paul Taylor helped Sligo to a 2-7 to 0-3 lead at halfway. The only Kilkenny player to register a score was Paul Kearney, but even he was culpable of driving a penalty over the bar in the 27th minute.