Down recorded a convincing 1-15 to 0-11 victory over Westmeath in a poor Division Two A clash at Cusack Park, Mullingar.
The home side opened brightly with points by John Shaw, Brendan Murtagh and Andrew Mitchell. However, once Paul Braniff and Martin Coulter Junior got warmed up Down took command. The duo had their side on terms by the 23rd minute. At the interval Down led by 0-8 to 0-6 and they wrapped up the points five minutes after the break when a Barry Milligan 65 went all the way to the net.
On Saturday, Antrim had an easy 3-13 to 1-7 victory over Roscommon at Casement Park.
Two Dermot McCauley goals helped the home side to a 2-6 to 0-5 lead at half-time. Brian McFall added a third after the break.
DOWN: Graham Clarke, L Clarke, S Murray, E Dorrian, M Pucci, G Savage, B Milligan (1-0), S Wilson, G Adare, G McGrattan (0-1), P Braniff (0-7), E Trainor, M Coulter Jnr (0-6), G Johnson (0-1), S Clarke, Subs: G Clarke for Adare.
WESTMEATH: B Conaty, D Divine, M Williams, B Williams, D curley, C Murtagh, N Gavin, J Brennan, V Bateman, J Shaw (0-3), B Murtagh (0-1), G Briody, B Kennedy (0-1), S McDonnell, A Mitchell (0-4), Subs: P Williams (0-1) for Briordy. J Forbes for McDonnell. A Divine for Gavin. P Dowdall for Shaw.
Referee: John Guinan (Kilkenny)
Three players were sent off as Meath beat Wicklow by 0-11 to 0-7 in their Division Two B meeting in Arklow yesterday.
Meath's David Callaghan (straight red) and Wicklow's Christy O'Toole (two yellows) the first to go on 66 minutes, and they were jointed by Wicklow's centre back MA O'Neill (straight red card) in injury time.
Meath asserted themselves in the final quarter, with points by Evan Lynham, Dan Dorran and Nicky Horan giving them a 0-9 to 0-6 lead with nine minutes left
On Saturday, Kerry easily dismissed the challenge of Carlow to win by 3-14 to 0-11 in the Division 2B clash at a deserted Austin Stack Park in Tralee.
Carlow remained in contention until very late in the game, when goals from Billy Brick and Michael Conway ensured victory for the home side.
MEATH: M Gannon, S Wallace, D Fagan, R Dorran, D Callaghan, C Sheridan, K Dowd, P Gannon, S Kane, M Cole (0-1), D Dorran (0-2), N Horan (0-6, frees and a 65), N Reilly, K Callaghan, I McCormack Subs: C Kenna for K Dowd, E Lynham (0-1) for S Kane, S Clynch for K Callaghan, P Coone for I McCormack
WICKLOW: K Snell, E O'Sullivan, G Keogh, G Bermingham, T McGrath, MA O'Neill, MJ O'Neill, G Doran, C O'Toole, M Conway, J Murphy (0-2 frees), J Keogh (0-3, two from frees), T Collins, W O'Gorman (0-2), M O'Brie. Subs: J Sinnott for M O'Brien, M Byrne for M Conway
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).
