There were wins for Kerry, Derry, Kildare and Meath in Round 1 of the Christy Ring Cup, while Roscommon beat Sligo and Tyrone beat Louth in the Nicky Rackard Cup.
Barry Slevin’s late goal helped Meath to a 1-20 to 2-10 win over Armagh in Trim.
Playing against the wind, the Royals trailed by 1-07 to 0-06 at the break but rallied to claim a spot in the quarter-finals.
Kildare beat Mayo 1-23 to 0-15 in Newbridge.
The Lillies led by 0-12 to 0-08 at the break and pulled away to record an 11-point win.
At Páirc Esler Kerry were pushed all the way by Down.
The Kingdom took a 2-12 to 1-08 lead in at half-time but Down reduced the margin to just two points, 3-16 to 2-17, at the end.
Elsewhere, Derry saw off Wicklow by a single point in Celtic Park, 1-11 to 1-10.
The four winners go into the quarter-finals, while today’s losers go into a play-off.
Fermanagh and Warwickshire won their Lory Meagher Cup ties against Leitrim and Longford.
CHRISTY RING CUP ROUND 1
Derry 1-11 Wicklow 1-10
Down 2-17 Kerry 3-16
Meath 1-20 Armagh 2-10
Kildare 1-23 Mayo 0-15
NICKY RACKARD CUP ROUND 1
Tyrone 1-11 Louth 0-12
Roscommon 1-18 Sligo 0-14
LORY MEAGHER CUP ROUND 1
Leitrim 0-12 Fermanagh 3-13
Warwickshire 1-15 Longford 1-10
