Down kickstarted the 2024 Joe McDonagh Cup with an eight-point win over Meath in Ballycran.
Goals on both halves from Tim Prenter proved key as Ronan Sheehan's side overcame a sluggish start to lead by five at the break, 1-15 to 0-13.
Podge O'Hanrahan's prodigious accurary from frees kept Meath in the contest, the marksman winding up with a whopping 0-17 in total, 15 from placed balls.
Prenter's second goal shortly after the interval stretched the lead out to nine, 2-17 to 0-14. But Steven Clynch's side rallied impressively, outscoring the hosts 8-2 over the next 15 minutes to whittle it down to a three point game.
It appeared set for a tight finish but Daithí Sands' 59th minute goal effectively settled the encounter, Down running out winners on a 3-24 to 0-25 scoreline.
In the Christy Ring, Division 2B champions Derry trounced Tyrone by 19 points in Owenbeg.
Just six points separated the sides in last month's league final but it was plain sailing for Derry on Saturday.
First half goals from Dara Mooney and John Mullen set them on their way, the favourites running out 2-26 to 0-13 winners in the end.
In Ruislip, a rampant Jack Goulding hit 2-13 as London demolished Sligo 4-26 to 0-12. Sean Glynn chipped in with 2-04 as the Exiles, fourth in Division 2B in the spring, got their summer off to an excellent start.
At Nickey Rackard level, Roscommon were 10-point winners over Monaghan in Inniskeen. Cian Murray's superb individual goal gave them a 1-09 to 0-10 lead at half-time, the attacker finding the net twice more in the second half in a match-winning display.
Conor Mulry bagged the other goal for the Connacht side as they cantered home on a 4-17 to 1-16 scoreline.
Before their footballers made it a perfect day for Donegal GAA people, their hurlers overcame Mayo by seven points in Letterkenny, winning 0-21 to 0-14.
Tied 11-apiece early in the second half, a glut of points from Geared Gilmore and Conor Gartland saw the Ulster outfit speed clear.
In the Lory Meaghar, Fermanagh and Cavan couldn't be separated in a goalfest in Enniskillen, Dillon Mulligan's injury-time leveller tying the game at 5-12 to 3-18.
In Glenavy, Leitrim had eight points to spare over Lancashire after a powerful second half display. Trailing by a single point at the break, they ran out 2-25 to 1-20 winners.
