The county’s hurlers were in NHL action earlier this afternoon, where they recorded their fifth win from six outings in Division Three. Today’s victory came up at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh where they beat the Orchard County by 3-21 to 1-18, with the result keeping Ray Larkin’s charges in a strong position to gain promotion.

The visitors led pretty much all the way in the bright, sunny, spring weather up in the Cathedral City today. A sixth minute goal from Joe Burke saw them take an early five-point lead but that goal was cancelled out by the home team shortly before the break, at which time there was just a single point between the teams.

The contest remained in the balance for much of the second half, with Armagh drawing level three times before then edging a point ahead with around 12 minutes of normal time to play.

Our lads finished out far stronger, however, with a Cormac Phillips goal providing much-needed breathing space in the closing minutes. An injury-time third goal, bagged by Shane Boland, put some added gloss to the final scoreline from the Westerners’ perspective as they ran out winners by a slightly flattering nine points.

Next up for the hurlers is a Round 7 visit to Aughrim to play Wicklow on Saturday week. Should they make the divisional final, as now looks likely, this will then be played the Saturday after that.