Lory Meagher Cup finalists Cavan's Enda Shalvey and New York's Tom O'Meara, Christy Ring Cup finalist Derry's Cormac O'Doherty, and Nickey Rackard Cup finalists Mayo's David Kenny and Roscommon's Conor Mulry, during a Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard & Lory Meagher media event at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Christy Ring Cup Final
Derry v London, Croke Park, 5pm, Spórt TG4 YouTube
Saturday’s Christy Ring Cup Final sees Derry take on London.
Derry are at this stage for a third time in a row, a fourth time in five years and a fifth in all, having fallen short to Kerry (2015), Offaly (2021), Meath (2023) and Kildare 12 months ago. 2012 champions London, meanwhile, are in their first decider since 2018, when they also lost out to Kildare. They are in their second final of this season, having ended up as Allianz Hurling League Division III runners-up to Mayo.
Two-time Nickey Rackard champions Derry have impressed in recent weeks, with their only defeat coming by the narrowest of margins against Meath. The Oak Leaf County won their other four matches, including a four-point win in Ruislip in round two. That was London’s only loss to date, while they also drew with Wicklow, who they eventually overtook on score difference on the last day of the group stage.
Johnny McGarvey has led Derry to Croke Park in each of his three seasons in charge, while gradually introducing several youngsters to the team, alongside experienced campaigners like Cormac O’Doherty, Mark Craig, Meehaul McGrath and Richie and John Mullan. O’Doherty is a regular in the Christy Ring Cup scoring charts and he is right up there once more with 3-36 to his name, while former Antrim player Christy McNaughton has also been regularly chipping in, along with John Mullan, Éamon Conway and Shea Cassidy.
London have lost the services of the 2024 Christy Ring Hurler of the Year Jack Goulding, but they have a good spread of scores, with David Devine, Jack Morrissey and Seán Glynn all over the 20-point mark during this campaign. Conor O’Carroll and Paul Kennedy have also shown an eye for goal for the Exiles, who are managed by Offaly native Neil Rogers.
Both teams averaged more than 25 points per game in the group stage (28.6 for Derry, 26.8 for London, who have rattled in 14 goals along the way. It sets up an intriguing match-up, with Derry hoping to make their Croke Park experience tell.
Derry’s Christy Ring Cup scorers 2025: Cormac O’Doherty 3-36 (0-23f, 0-2 ‘65s); Christy McNaughton 1-17 (0-10f, 0-3 ‘65s); John Mullan, Éamon Conway 0-11 each; Shea Cassidy 1-8; Déaghlán Foley, Ruairí Ó Mianáin 0-6 each; Ryan McGill 1-2; Callum O’Kane, Meehaul McGrath 0-4 each; James Friel, Gerald Bradley, Richie Mullan, Darragh Cartin 0-3 each; Aimon Duffin 1-0; Thomas Brady, Cahal Murray 0-2 each; Éamon Cassidy 0-1.
London’s Christy Ring Cup scorers 2025: David Devine 1-27 (0-13f, 0-3 ‘65s); Jack Morrissey 4-11 (1-0 pen, 0-2f); Seán Glynn 2-15 (0-2f); Conor O’Carroll 4-6; Dylan Dawson 1-10 (0-2f); Paul Kennedy 2-4; Enda Egan 0-8 (7f); Donnachadha Leahy 0-3; Owen Sheil, Conor McCormack, Rory Lodge 0-2 each; Adam Cunney, Dónal Reale 0-1 each.
DERRY: Sean Kelly; Sean Cassidy, Mark Craig, Patrick Turner; Ruairi O Mianain, Richie Mullan, James Friel; Meehaul McGrath, Eamon Conway; Thomas Brady, John Mullan, Cormac O'Doherty; Cahal Murray, Christy McNaughton, Shea Cassidy.
Subs: Conor Campbell, Aimon Duffin, Callum O'Kane, Sean F Quinn, Paddy Kelly, Ryan McGill, Eamon Cassidy, Gerald Bradley, Darragh Cartin, Deaghlan Foley, Padhraig Neilis.
LONDON: Mark Kilgannon; Niall Fitzgerald, Conor Byrne, Stephen Whelan; Tom Millerick, Enda Egan, Padraig Muldoon; Adam Cunney, Paul Kennedy; Jack Morrissey, Sean Glynn, Dylan Dawson; Conor McCormack, Conor O'Carroll, David Devine.
Subs: Niall Cannon, Niall Eames, Barry Morrissey, Tom Hanifin, Niall Geoghegan, Rory Lodge, Owen Sheil, Evan Kelly, Eoin McGrath, Donnacha Leahy, Donal Reale.
Nickey Rackard Cup Final
Mayo v Roscommon, Croke Park, 1pm, Spórt TG4 YouTube
Saturday’s triple-bill of hurling finals at Croke Park begins with a Connacht derby between Mayo and Roscommon for the Nickey Rackard Cup.
Both counties are at this stage for a fifth time, having each won two and lost two of their previous appearances. Mayo had a third title in their sights this time last year, only to be denied by a storming finish by Donegal. Their championship fortunes have fluctuated in recent seasons: winning the Nickey Rackard in 2021, reaching the Christy Ring decider in 2022 and being relegated 12 months later. Mayo are currently on an extended run of strong form, with just three losses from their last 24 league and championship games. Roscommon will be hoping to end a ten-year wait since their last title, while their most recent final saw them lose to Tyrone in 2022.
Mayo are looking to see out a productive season in style, having already won the Allianz Hurling League Division III, capping their second consecutive league title by beating Christy Ring finalists London. They powered through to another Nickey Rackard final with a round to spare by winning their first four games, before shuffling their pack for a draw with Fermanagh. Roscommon’s run has been more of a slow burn, as they built momentum after ending up with just one point from back-to-back Connacht derbies, which left them with ground to make up. Subsequent wins over Armagh, Fermanagh and Louth saw Kevin Sammon’s side rise from fifth in the table to finish second, a point ahead of Armagh and two clear of Sligo, who lost to the Orchard County on the last day of the group stage.
Managed by Galway native Ray Larkin, who had a successful spell in charge of Tooreen, Mayo can call on a string of scoring threats in the likes of Cormac Phillips, Shane Boland, Eoin Delaney and Liam Lavin, who have effectively shared the burden up front so far. Oisín Greally, David Kenny, Ryan Duffy, Daniel Huane and goalkeeper Bobby Douglas can also play key roles for Mayo, who have hit 8-123 in five games.
Seán Canning (a nephew of Galway hurling legend Joe) starred in Roscommon’s run to the All-Ireland U-20 B decider last year and he gave a reminder of his talents when he hit a hat-trick to down Louth earlier this month. The Rossies will also need the likes of Robbie Fallon, Brendan and Conor Mulry and Conor Cosgrove on top form if they are to turn the tables on their neighbours at the third attempt this year.
Mayo’s Nickey Rackard Cup scorers 2025: Shane Boland 0-28 (19f); Cormac Phillips 1-19 (0-11f, 0-2 ‘65s); Eoin Delaney 2-15 (0-1f); Liam Lavin 0-19; Ryan Duffy 0-9; Simon Thomas 2-2; Daniel Huane 0-6; Kieran McDermott 1-2; Seán Kenny 0-5 (2f, 1 ‘65); John Heraty, Corey Scahill 1-1 each; Bobby Douglas 0-4 (3f, 1 ’65); Jason Coyne, Eoghan Collins 0-3 each; Ciarán Finn, Evan Heraty, Michael Farrell, Joseph Burke, Brendan Sheridan 0-1 each
Roscommon’s Nickey Rackard Cup scorers 2025: Robbie Fallon 2-12 (0-7f); Seán Canning 5-3; Brendan Mulry 1-11; Finn Killion 1-9 (0-3f); Conor Cosgrove 0-11 (7f, 2 ‘65s); Conor Mulry 0-9; Ben McGahon 1-5 (0-4f); Cian Murray 0-7; Jack Dowling 0-6; Eoin Fitzgerald, Cathal Kenny 0-4 each; Jack Donnelly 1-0; Adam Donnelly 0-2; Michael Hussey, Eoin Kiernan, Keelan Ryan, Liam Óg Coyle 0-1 each.
MAYO: Bobby Douglas; Conal Hession, Oisin Greally, Connor Murray; Eoghan Collins, Kieran McDermott, David Kenny; Danny Huane, Simon Thomas; Liam Lavin, Cormac Phillips, Ryan Duffy; Shane Boland, Eoin Delaney, Joe Burke.
Subs: Kevin Duffy, Mark Phillips, Luke Connor, Jack Trench, Eoin Ryan, Matthew Connor, John Heraty, Jason Coyne, Sean Kenny, Michael Farrell, Corey Scahill.
ROSCOMMON: Enda Lawless; Conor Cosgrove, James Dillon, Mark Ward; Darragh Finn, Adam Donnelly, Micheal Hussey; Eoin Fitzgerald, Jack Donnelly; Finn Killion, Conor Mulry, Cain Murray; Sean Canning, Robbie Fallon, Brendan Mulry.
Subs: Jack Ryan, Jack Dowling, Liam Og Coyle, Ben McGahon, Ryan Conlon, Eoin Kiernan, Keelan Ryan, Jimmy Hoey, Jack McGahon, Daniel Staunton, Trevor Fallon.
Lory Meagher Cup Final
Cavan v New York, Saturday, Croke Park, 3pm, Spórt TG4 YouTube**
A new name will be inscribed on the Lory Meagher Cup after Saturday’s final between Cavan and New York.
Cavan topped the table to reach this stage for a second time, four years on from their loss to Fermanagh, while New York made their competition debut in a semi-final win over Monaghan last weekend. Cavan have ten extra competitive games under their belt in 2025 than their opponents.
Despite being relegated in the Allianz National Hurling League, Cavan could take heart from their competitive performances in Division Three. The Breffni County enjoyed wins over Sligo and Wicklow, while also competing well in most games, only being relegated due to their head-to-head v Armagh. After falling just short of the final in each of the last two years, they booked their ticket to Croke Park with a round to spare by winning their first four games, before resting some of their regulars against Leitrim.
Waterford native Liam O’Brien has been in prolific form throughout the season for Cavan, racking up 3-84, including 43 points in the Lory Meagher. Antrim man Ollie Bellew can call on his fellow county-man Éamon Óg McAllister, as well as Canice Maher, Nicky Kenny, Enda Shalvey, Jack McGuinness, Dillon Mulligan and Cuala’s Sheanon brothers, Cillian and Colum.
New York’s form in winning the 2024 Connacht Hurling League gave a glimpse of their ability, which they backed up against Monaghan, helped by a string of scores by AJ Willis from Tipperary and Galway native David Mangan. James Breen, who came on as a sub in that game, is the only homegrown player in the New York panel, which boasts some real quality, not least in the shape of Galway All-Ireland winner Johnny Glynn and former Cork senior Seán O’Leary-Hayes.
Cavan’s Lory Meagher Cup scorers 2025: Liam O’Brien 0-43 (26f, 1 ’65, 1 pen); Seán Keating 5-16; Nicholas Kenny 3-11 (0-1f); Éamon Óg McAllister 3-8; Jack McGuinness 0-10; Diarmaid Carney 0-5; Jack Barry 1-2; Thomas Leonard (1f), Colum Sheanon 0-4 each; Stephen Sheridan 1-0; James Smith 0-3f; Rían Delaney, Fiachra Hughes, Dillon Mulligan 0-2 each; Philip Brady, Mark Moffett, Daniel Martin 0-1 each.
New York's Lory Meagher Cup scorers 2025: David Mangan 0-11 (8f); AJ Willis 1-7; Adam Loughlin-Stones, Johnny Glynn 0-3 each; Darragh Moran, Tom O’Meara, Gerard McPartland, Cian Mullane, Éanna Barry 0-1 each.
CAVAN: Shane Gallagher; Shane Briody, Enda Shalvey, Stephen Sheridan; Dillon Mulligan, Cillian Sheanon, Matthew Hynes; Canice Maher, Jack McGuinness; Liam O'Brien, Eamon Og McAllister, Colum Sheanon; Nicky Kenny, Sean Keating, Jack Barry.
Subs: Niall Clerkin, Tomas Leonard, Diarmaid Carney, Daniel Martin, Rian Delaney, Mark Moffett, Dylan McKeever, Dominic Crudden, James Smith, Philip Brady, Fiachra Hughes.
NEW YORK: Daniel Mottram; Eanna Barry, Henry Keyes, James Cronin Rodger; Darren O'Donoghue, Daragh Moran, Sean O'Leary Hayes; Tom O'Meara, Adam Loughlin Stones; Jonathan Glynn, David Mangan, AJ Willis; Tomas O'Connor, Conor Hammersley, Dara Walsh.
Subs: Cillian McNamara, Colin O'Brien, James Bermingham, Brian McPartland, Darragh Hynes, Conor O'Shea, Harry O'Connor, Cian Murray, Aidan Organ, Cian Mullane, Gerard McPartland.
