Keith Keoghan and Padraig Kelly celebrate a fine Leinster SHC win for Meath against Kerry.
By Cian O'Connell
Meath's return to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship was marked with a win, while Laois also claimed an important victory over Westmeath.
An epic Christy Ring Cup match unfolded at Netwatch Cullen Park with Antrim eventually prevailing against Carlow.
Here are some of the main talking points from the weekend's action.
Meath back at the top table
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Away from Leinster Senior Hurling Championship duty for 13 years Meath were a team on a mission in Navan.
Even though Kerry hurled two Divisions higher than the Royals, Meath found a way to win a high scoring game by 3-20 to 2-17.
Christy Ring Cup champions a year ago Meath will be hugely encouraged by this positive result.
Joey Keena was splendid throughout, while Sean Quigley's 1-3 haul mattered hugely.
Kerry did finish strongly with a Mikey Boyle goal giving them a glimmer of hope late on, but Meath survived.
That type of Royal grit and resilience must be demonstrated in their upcoming two contests with next Sunday's tussle against Laois at Pairc Tailteann carrying added significance now.
Laois carve out win
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Buoyed up by their thrilling Allianz Hurling League Division 1B play/off success over Kerry, Laois made a winning Championship start.
This was a tricky assignment for Eamonn Kelly's charges, who had to hold off a spirited Westmeath fightback.
Michael Ryan has constructed a good Westmeath team, but Laois did enough to secure victory.
Kelly hasn't been afraid to tweak his starting line-ups in an effort to find the best system for his team.
Cha Dwyer continues to perform in a deep role, drilling two excellent points.
Ross King and Stephen 'Picky' Maher are other accomplished players for Laois, who want to advance to the knockout stages of the Leinster Championship.
Following the victory over Westmeath, Laois, who want to take a scalp, are nicely placed.
Laois manager Eamonn Kelly.
Antrim are on the glory trail
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Last week Neil McManus spoke at the launch of the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge about how important it is for Antrim to achieve their second objective of the year.
Attaining Allianz Hurling League Division 1B status is a vital step for the Saffrons, but now they want Christy Ring Cup success.
With the shrewd Colm Bonnar in charge Carlow are viewed as serious challengers in that competition too so there was no escaping Antrim's sense of satisfaction on Saturday.
Eking out an extra-time victory at Netwatch Cullen Park was a clear sign of the work Sambo McNaughton and Dominic McKinley are carrying out with Antrim.
A late McManus goal was followed by a James McNaughton point. It was one of those immensely satisfying Championship triumphs. Antrim's journey continues.
Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups
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Davin Flynn is emerging as a key figure for Donegal, who registered a 1-19 to 0-13 win over Armagh in Letterkenny.
Flynn was the star of the show posting 1-5 from play for a developing Donegal outfit.
Ruairi Convery and Meehaul McGrath were in good scoring form for Derry, who held on to secure a win against Louth in the Nicky Rackard Cup.
Liam Watson struck 2-6 for Warwickshire, who defeated Cavan in the Lory Meagher Cup.
Watson, who won an AIB All Ireland Club title with Loughgiel Shamrocks in 2012, remains an accomplished finisher.
