There was a very busy schedule in the GAA’s newest national hurling competition – The Celtic Challenge – last Wednesday evening, when 14 games were played across the country.

The competition for 16- and 17-year-old hurlers who are not sitting State Examinations this summer got underway in March and April with Group G action in Ulster, but it really kicked into gear last week with action in each of the other six groups, which all continue this Wednesday evening - full fitxture can be found here.

GROUP A

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South Tipperary finished strongly to win their Group A opener at Carlow’s Fenagh Training Centre.

Carlow opened the scoring through Mikey Kavanagh, but they soon fell six points behind as a Cathal Bourke goal helped South Tipperary take over. Carlow stayed in touch at 0-5 to 1-7 by the end of the first half and with the wind at their backs after the restart, they drew level thanks to Dan Sheehan. South Tipp regained the upper hand in the final quarter, however, with goals from Niall Hoctor and Conal Donovan pushing them to a 3-11 to 0-12 win.

South Kilkenny got their campaign off to a very impressive start with their big win over Waterford City at Nowlan Park. Robert Dunne, Daithí Barron and Conor Murphy were in prolific form for South Kilkenny, who were in charge from early on.

The second-round fixtures are South Wexford v South Kilkenny and Waterford City v Carlow.

GROUP B

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Kildare came from behind to deny North Wexford in their Group B opener at Wexford’s Ferns Centre of Excellence. North Wexford were 1-6 to 0-5 to the good at half-time, but Kildare hit 11 points in the second half to claim a 0-16 to 1-10 win.

Laois made a fine start when they saw off Wicklow on a 3-19 to 1-3 scoreline, having been 2-10 to 0-2 clear at the interval.

Dublin Pearse start their campaign against Laois on Wednesday, while there is a derby between Wicklow and North Wexford.

GROUP C

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Offaly held the edge in their Group C derby with Westmeath at Cusack Park, Mullingar. Having led by 1-7 to 1-4 at half-time, Offaly maintained that three-point advantage to win by 1-14 to 2-8. Darragh Tierney hit nine points for Offaly, whose goal was scored by Cillian Ryan.

There was also a Dublin derby, where Dublin Clarke had eight points to spare (2-19 to 2-11) over fellow capital side Dublin Plunkett.

Dublin Clarke travel to Trim to take on Meath on Wednesday, with Dublin Plunkett at home to Westmeath.

GROUP D

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Kerry started Group D with a 2-14 to 0-6 victory against Limerick City at the Gaelic Grounds. Kerry got off to a flying start with a goal from Michael Slattery and they also finished the opening quarter with a flourish as Gavin Dooley found the net. Kerry led by 2-5 to 0-4 at half-time and with Barry O’Mahoney and Slattery on form, they were 2-14 to 0-6 clear by the final whistle.

Meanwhile, Cork City were always in command against West Limerick at Rathkeale. Cork City led by 1-12 to 0-5 at half-time and they went on to secure a 2-21 to 0-8 victory.

North Cork make their debut with a home game against West Limerick on Wednesday, when there is also a clash between the two city sides from Cork and Limerick.

GROUP E

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The Group E action included wins for two Galway teams.

One of those was in a thriller at Pearse Stadium, where Galway City/West edged out North Clare. Tom O’Rourke impressed early on for North Clare and although a Michael Cullina goal turned it in favour of the hosts, Austin McInerney, O’Rourke and Caimin Keenan all found the net to leave the Clare side 3-6 to 1-8 up at half-time.

O’Rourke, who finished with 1-6, moved North Clare six clear early in the second half, but a brace of goals by Oisín Connolly boosted Galway City/West, who edged the result by 3-12 to 3-11, thanks to two late points from Conor Elwood.

North Galway ran out convincing winners against Roscommon at Ballyforan. Goals by Martin Cullen and Conor Fahey, either side of a Roscommon major by Oisín Keenan, had North Galway 2-7 to 1-5 up after playing against the wind in the first half. Roscommon got within four after the restart, but goals from Conor Newell and Darragh Glynn allowed North Galway to pull away for a 4-13 to 1-6 win.

The other game saw South/East Clare run out comprehensive winners over Mayo at Ballinderreen.

There are three derby matches down for decision this week: North Galway v Galway City/West, North Clare v South/East Clare and Mayo v Roscommon.

GROUP F

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In Group F, Sligo were comprehensive winners (6-11 to 1-9) over Cavan at the Shannon Gaels grounds. Sligo, who were spearheaded by Rory McHugh and James Weir, led by 3-5 to 0-9 at half-time and they kept Cavan scoreless for almost the entire second half until the hosts scored a late goal from a free.

Louth held off a second-half comeback from Monaghan at Darver. Louth were well clear at 1-7 to 0-1 by the end of the first half and although they only managed to add two points to their tally, they held on for a 1-9 to 1-5 win.

A strong second-half performance earned Leitrim a 3-8 to 1-9 win over Longford in Edgeworthstown. Leitrim trailed by 1-6 to 1-5 at half-time, but they scored the only two goals of the second period to make all the difference.

Round two sees Monaghan, Leitrim and Cavan host Longford, Sligo and Louth respectively.