Donnacha Callan: good start

Hurling: Rackard cup round-up

SLIGO swept to a runaway 3-15 to 1-7 win over an out-classed but battling Cavan side in this Group 3D Nicky Rackard Cup clash at Markievicz Park yesterday. Cavan were 3-10 to 1-5 in arrears at half-time but they put in a spirited performance after the break. Paul Seevers opened the scoring with a Sligo point after two minutes of the first half but a Cavan goal from Philip Brady in the ninth minute put the Breffni men 1-2 to 0-2 ahead. Sligo were completely on top after Aidan Walsh blasted the ball to the visitors' net on 11 minutes.

In Group 3A of the third-tier competition, Louth got off to a fortunate 1-13 to 0-14 win over newcomers Fingal. A Ronan Byrne goal eight minutes from time helped Division Three league champions to the win in Dundalk. The Dublin side had started brightly with six points from Emmet McCabe helping them into a seven-point lead after only 18 minutes. But Inspired by the superb Diarmuid Murphy, Louth fought their way back into the game with five unanswered points to leave them trailing by 0-10 to 0-7 at the break.

The Wee County revival continued on the restart with Byrne's strike on 62 minutes putting the home side in front for the first time. Fingal managed to cut the deficit back to a point with two minutes to go but a stoppage time 65 from Murphy ensured Louth held out for the win.

Meanwhile in Group 3C two Peter O'Connor goals helped Tyrone to a narrow 2-12 to 2-11 win over Donegal at Letterkenny. Tyrone had gotten off to a flying start with those early goals from O'Connor, who hit the net in the fourth and eighth minutes.