A LATE MARTY Kavanagh point ensured the 2014 GAA Hurling Championship got underway with a draw in Ruislip as Carlow just denied London a famous win.
Under the new Leinster Hurling Championship format London and Carlow, as well as Westmeath, Antrim and Laois start their championship season in the qualifier group, with the winners and the runners-up of the round robin series then advancing to the main provincial draw at the start of June.
The draw was probably a fair result in the end though both sides may have thought a win was within their grasp at different stages. Carlow certainly got off to a better start, leading by 2-2 to 0-4 after 15 minutes.
However, London fought back and held a three point lead with five minutes to go but were unable to hold on and the game finished 2-17 apiece.
In the day’s other game, Antrim won their first ever Leinster SHC game with a 0-23 to 2-11 win over Westmeath.
The Saffrons led 0-12 to 1-8 at half-time thanks in large part to the free-taking abilities of Paul Shiels and, despite a second goal for the midlanders early in the second half, Antrim held on for the win.
Kevin Ryan’s team will play Carlow in the next round of fixtures.
