Preview: Weekend's Ring, Rackard, and Meagher Cups action

The Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups reach a critical stage this Saturday with the final round of the groups.

Christy Ring Cup

The last round of the Christy Ring Cup round-robin features a top-of-the-table clash between London and Kildare at Ruislip.

Kildare have one foot in another Christy Ring Final after four consecutive wins over Sligo, Wicklow, Derry and Tyrone. Brian Dowling’s side, who are chasing a third title at this level in the space of five years, could still end up in a three-way tie on eight points each if they lose on Saturday, but in that case, their superior score-difference should come into play. London took maximum points from their first three games against Tyrone, Sligo and Wicklow, but Derry punctured their momentum last weekend.

Kildare have a core of proven performers in the likes of Jack Sheridan, James Burke, Cathal Dowling and Cian and Conan Boran. Jack Goulding, who has 3-40 to his name in four games, has been leading the scoring charts for London, with back-up from Seán Glynn, Owen Sheil and Ronan Crowley.

Derry are also very much in contention for a top-two berth as they travel to Sligo.

Derry, who have lost just once in ten league and championship games this year (to leaders Kildare), are bidding to qualify for a third Christy Ring decider in four years. A nine-point win over fellow contenders London last time out has kept the 2023 runners-up in the hunt and they take a rich vein of form into their final-round clash with a Sligo side who are chasing their first points of the campaign.

Darragh McGilligan, Corey O’Reilly and youngster Ruairí Ó Mianáin have been stepping up alongside Derry’s top scorer Cormac O’Doherty, while Gerard and Tony O’Kelly-Lynch and Rory McHugh will have key roles to play for Sligo.

Tyrone and Wicklow will be aiming to finish their campaign on a high when they go head-to-head.

Both teams have just two points to their credit, but a win each over Sligo will be enough to retain Christy Ring status, regardless of the results in Carrickmore and at Markievicz Park.

Tyrone haven’t been able to rediscover their league form, despite the exploits of their top marksman Aidan Kelly and glimpses of the finishing power of Joe McToal and Seán Óg Grogan. Wicklow will hope Seánie Germaine, David and Luke Maloney and Pádraig Doran can help them finish a turbulent season on a positive note.

Nickey Rackard Cup

Roscommon and Mayo contest a crucial Nickey Rackard Cup game for the right to take on Donegal in the final.

The neighbouring counties are attempting to win a third title at this level and they have six points each going into the last round, with only Donegal stopping both from having unbeaten records. The winners of this one will progress to another final, while Mayo’s superior score-difference means a draw would do for them.

Mayo will be looking to the likes of Cormac and Adrian Phillips, Liam Lavin and Shane Boland to fire them to a tenth win from 11 games this year, while Roscommon will need Cian Murray, Paddy Fallon and Brendan Mulry on top form.

Leaders Donegal travel to Dowdallshill to face Louth.

Three-time Nickey Rackard champions Donegal have already qualified for a second consecutive final after four straight wins over Armagh, Mayo, Monaghan and Roscommon. Louth lost their first three games of the group, but got off the mark with a vital win by the narrowest of margins against Monaghan last weekend, which leaves them on the brink of retaining Nickey Rackard status.

Gerard Gilmore and Liam McKinney have been in prolific form all year for Donegal, who have welcomed veteran Danny Cullen back from injury in recent weeks. Darren Geoghegan has racked up 3-76 this season for Louth, who will also be looking to Conor Murphy, Peter Fortune and Conor Clancy.

Monaghan need a big win in Armagh if they are to retain any hope of moving off the bottom of the Nickey Rackard table.

A narrow loss to Louth in round four left Monaghan still searching for their first points of the campaign, while a win over the Wee County is all Armagh have to show for their efforts to date; a result which leaves them poised for another year at this level. Monaghan’s only win so far this season was at the expense of Armagh during the Allianz League.

Armagh have been relying on Alex O’Boyle (with 3-87 to his name this season) for the bulk of their scores, with Tiarnán Nevin and Paul Gaffney anchoring their defence. Monaghan will need players like Thomas Hughes and Niall Garland to provide support to the free-scoring Niall Arthur up front.

Lory Meagher Cup

An exciting finish is in prospect in the Lory Meagher Cup, with both places in the final still up for grabs. Fermanagh’s seven points from a possible eight and their healthy score-difference means they are almost there, but a loss to Longford and a big win for Cavan could still see them squeezed out of the top two.

Fermanagh have lost just once this year and they have picked up three wins in the Lory Meagher against Leitrim, Warwickshire and Lancashire, as well as a draw with Cavan. Longford’s second-round loss to Warwickshire, after having beaten Lancashire, left them under pressure, but impressive showings against Leitrim and Cavan have moved the two-time champions up to second in the table.

Seán Corrigan, Danann McKeogh, Luca McCusker and Brian Teehan have all featured prominently for Fermanagh, while Cian Darcy has been prolific for Longford, who will also be counting on David Buckley, Reuben Murray and Cathal Mullane.

Cavan face a must-win game against Leitrim in Drumshanbo.

Taking five points from the first three rounds – having beaten Warwickshire and Lancashire, either side of a draw against Fermanagh – put Cavan on course for a second final appearance, but a loss to Longford means they need to win and keep an eye on the result from Pearse Park. Leitrim have beaten Lancashire and Warwickshire, but even a third win won’t be enough for them to make the top two, with Longford having the head-to-head advantage.

Liam O’Brien, Nicky Kenny, Canice Maher and Seán Keating are pivotal players for Division 3A semi-finalists Cavan, Gavin O’Hagan, Stephen Goldrick and veteran keeper Clement Cunniffe are among the main men for Leitrim.

Lancashire and Warwickshire close out their season with a clash of the Exiles at Páirc na hÉireann.

Although both teams are out of contention, bragging rights will be up for grabs at the end of a challenging campaign. Warwickshire managed a notable win over Longford in the second round, but have been stuck on two points since, while Lancashire are hoping to sign off with their first win of the season.

Warwickshire will need big performances from Jordan Conway, Jack Grealish, David Devine, with Lancashire depending on Eoghan Clifford, David Lynch and Christopher Convery.

FIXTURES

Saturday, May 18

Christy Ring Cup Round 5

London v Kildare, Ruislip, 1pm

Sligo v Derry, Markievicz Park, 1pm

Tyrone v Wicklow, Carrickmore, 1pm

Nickey Rackard Cup Round 5

Roscommon v Mayo, Dr. Hyde Park, 1pm

Armagh v Monaghan, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 2pm

Louth v Donegal, Dowdallshill, 2pm

Lory Meagher Cup Round 5

Leitrim v Cavan, Drumshanbo, 1pm

Longford v Fermanagh, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1pm

Lancashire v Warwickshire, Páirc na hÉireann, 2pm