In Connacht, Moycullen from Galway beat Westport of Mayo 3-18 to 1-11 in Castlebar. In Munster, Eire Og of Clare beat the Nire of Waterford by 3-11 to five points.
All-Ireland club football champions Kilcoo look set to make a positive start to their Ulster Championship campaign. The Down champions lead Monaghan's Ballybay by 1-10 to 1-5 approaching full-time in their quarter-final clash in Clones.
Elsewhere, Naomh Conaill of Donegal lead Antrim's Cargin by 1-8 to nine points. Later, Derry representatives Glen face Tyrone's Errigal Ciaran at half-three. === Kilkenny's Ballyhale Shamrocks are on course to reach the Leinster club hurling semi-finals.
They lead Castletown Geoghegan of Westmeath by 4-22 to 12 points approaching full-time. Elsewhere, it's St Mullin's of Carlow 12 points Ferns St Aidan's of Wexford 1-6 at half-time.