Louth claimed a narrow 0-14 to 1-10 win over Kildare in Newbridge.
The result looked unlikely 12 minutes in as the Lilywhites raced into a 0-04 to 0-00 lead, Cein McMonagle grabbing two of those, but four Sam Mulroy frees and a Conor Grimes effort had the away side a point ahead in the 25th minute.
Paul Matthews, Ciaran Murphy and Daire McConnell were then on target as they took an 0-08 to 0-05 lead into the break, Aaron O’Neill’s second point of the day proving Kildare’s sole response.
Louth were five points clear midway through the second half when Mick O’Grady gave Kildare a lifeline with a goal after some pinball in the Wee County defence.
A couple of scores from Jay Hughes gave Mickey Harte's side some breathing room, enough to hold onto the win despite late points from Jimmy Hyland and Jack Robinson.
Elsewhere in Group A, Westmeath recorded a dominating 1-16 to 0-06 win over Wexford in The Downs.
Dessie Dolan’s side had the use of a strong breeze in the first half and they made the most of it as they claimed eight of the opening nine points while they also hit the crossbar.
Dean O’Toole stopped the rot with a free to leave it 0-08 to 0-02, but James Dolan’s goal 25 minutes in had Westmeath well clear and they took a 1-10 to 0-04 advantage into the turn.
Desptie now playing with the elements, Wexford were only able to manage two second-half points, Daire Bolger and Sean Nolan raising white flags in the final moments.
Longford have also made it back-to-back wins after their Group B victory over Carlow.
In a one-sided affair, Paddy Christie’s side won 0-15 to 0-04.
Dessie Reynolds notched a number of points as the hosts led 0-06 to 0-02 at the halfway point.
Reynolds, David McGivney and Keelan McGann kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second half in an eventual 11-point win.
Laois responded to their heavy loss to Longford midweek with a credible draw against Meath at Páirc Tailteann.
The Royals started strongly with Cillian O’Sullivan netting after eight minutes as they raced into a five-point lead, but Laois hit a purple patch of seven points from eight to leave it tied up at the break, 1-04 to 0-07.
The sides went point for point in the third quarter before O’Sullivan’s second major put Meath in a match-winning position as they led by five points, but they’d only have another O’Sullivan point to show from there as Laois raised six white flags to secure a 2-10 to 0-16 draw.
Offaly started their 2023 season in fine fashion as they defeated Wicklow 1-09 to 0-07 at O’Connor Park.
Cian Farrell was on target twice as Offaly scored the first five points of the game, Anton Sullivan, Kevin Nugent and Nigel Dunne also finding their range.
Rory Stokes finally got Wicklow off the mark, and they trailed by just three points at half time, 0-06 to 0-03, after further points from Eddie Doyle and Eoin Murtagh.
Three points was still the gap in the 52nd minute when Sullivan scored a penalty for the Faithful County and they were able to hold off Oisin McConville’s side from there.
