The very busy schedule in the GAA’s newest national hurling competition – The Celtic Challenge – continues this week. The competition for 16- and 17-year-old hurlers who are not sitting State Examinations this summer is currently featuring 14 matches across the country every Wednesday evening. There is plenty to play for as all six groups go into round four.

By Colm Shalvey

GROUP A

South Tipperary joined South Kilkenny at the top of Group A thanks to a convincing win over Waterford City in Golden. First-half goals by Niall Hoctor (two) and Conal Donovan put South Tipperary in charge, in spite of Niall Dunphy converting a number of frees for the visitors. Josh Macken added a fourth major as the Tipperary side ran out 4-21 to 0-10 winners.

South Wexford got their first win on a 3-14 to 1-14 scoreline away to Carlow. A Don Sheehan-led Carlow side trailed by just two points inside the last 10 minutes, but Eoin O’Neill and Jack O’Leary helped South Wexford stay ahead.

South Tipperary are away to South Wexford in round four, while South Kilkenny resume their campaign at home to Carlow.

GROUP B

Kildare and Dublin Pearse share first place in Group B.

Kildare led by 1-10 to 1-2 at half-time against Wicklow at Ardclough and although the away side were much more competitive in the second half, the Lilywhites remained well clear at 1-19 to 3-6 by full-time.

Dublin Pearse had to work very hard for their second win, with an added-time goal from Conor Carberry seeing them steal the points from North Wexford on a 2-10 to 0-15 scoreline at the Ferns Centre of Excellence. North Wexford recovered from conceding the only goal of the first half to Conor Doyle to change ends on level terms and hold a narrow lead for most of the second period, but Carberry’s late intervention denied them.

The top two – Dublin Pearse and Kildare – clash at Naomh Mearnóg, Portmarnock this Wednesday, while Laois welcome North Wexford to Rathdowney.

GROUP C

Neither Offaly nor Dublin Plunkett could catch up with Dublin Clarke at the top of Group C after they played out an exciting draw in Birr. Dublin Plunkett led by 2-7 to 0-7 at half-time – the goals coming from Mikey Noonan and Cónall Burke (the latter after a Noonan penalty had been saved) – but three second-half majors helped Offaly claim a share of the spoils. Free-takers Darragh Tierney (Offaly) and Emmet Allen (Dublin Plunkett) also contributed handsomely to the final result of 3-13 to 2-16.

Meath got off the mark with a 1-15 to 1-12 win over Westmeath in Mullingar. Five points from Eoin Fox got Westmeath off to a flying start and although a Daragh Gilmartin goal helped settle Meath, Seán Rock responded in kind to see the hosts change ends leading by 1-10 to 1-7.

Scores were harder earned in the second half, particularly for Westmeath, who managed just two points while playing into a breeze. A superb sideline cut by Jamie Leavy kick-started a strong finish from Meath that saw Conor Hayes and Evan Fitzgerald get them over the line.

Leaders Dublin Clarke are back in action this week against Westmeath at O'Toole Park, with Meath taking on Offaly in Trim.

GROUP D

Cork City and Limerick City are joint-top of Group D after earning full points in round three.

Cork City were level at the end of the opening quarter against Kerry at Austin Stack Park and by the end of the first half, they led by just two points (2-6 to 1-7). The likes of Michael Slattery and Gearóid Fennessy did their best to keep Kerry in touch, but two goals in the third quarter laid the foundations for an Eoin Lombard-led Cork City team to pull away and win by 4-16 to 1-14.

North Cork couldn’t match that result on their travels to Limerick City, who put a second win to their name on a 3-16 to 1-10 scoreline.

There is an all-Limerick clash between their City team and West Limerick at Rathkeale on Wednesday, while Milford is the venue for North Cork v Kerry.

GROUP E

North Galway lead the way in Group E after a strong second-half performance proved too much for South/East Clare in Gort. A James McMahon goal helped South/East Clare lead by 1-10 to 1-8 at half-time, but Barry Callanan went on to complete a hat-trick to inspire North Galway to a third straight win by 3-18 to 1-6.

Their fellow county men Galway City/West are next in the table after they hit 3-11 in the first half of a comprehensive win over Roscommon, while North Clare were even more free-scoring as they saw off Mayo in Tubber for their first win.

North Galway’s bid for a fourth victory takes them to the Connacht GAA Centre to face Mayo, while North Clare travel to Woodmount to face Roscommon and Tubber hosts another fixture, namely South/East Clare v Galway City/West.

GROUP F

Sligo maintained their 100% record in Group F with a big win over Longford at Scarden. Stephen Mulligan hit a remarkable total of 6-1 for Sligo, who also had James Weir on form in their third win from three.

Monaghan produced a strong finish to get their first win at the expense of Cavan in Drumalee. Cavan had a 0-9 to 0-2 lead at half-time and they were still six up going into the final quarter, but a Monaghan side driven on by Aidan Burns hit 2-4 in the final quarter to win by 2-11 to 0-15.

Louth got back to winning ways with a 5-15 to 1-11 defeat of Leitrim in Edgeworthstown. Eoin Murphy (3-6) and Pádraic Cunningham (1-6) were in prolific form for a dominant Louth side.

Sligo will attempt to keep their winning run on track when they face Louth at Cullion Hurling Club, Mullingar on Wednesday. Edgeworthstown hosts Longford v Cavan and Cootehill is due to be the venue for the game between Monaghan and Leitrim.