Hurling

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

17 April 2026 - 12:26PM

Liam McKinney of Donegal during the Allianz Hurling League Division 3 final match between Wicklow and Donegal at Echelon Park in Aughrim, Wicklow. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile.

The Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups continue this weekend.

Christy Ring Cup

Roscommon and Meath will both be targeting their first points of this year’s Christy Ring Cup when they clash in Ballyforan on Saturday.

Meath, who won three titles at this level between 2016 and 2023, lost out to Kerry in round one. Roscommon, who have been boosted by their U-20s qualifying for the All-Ireland ‘B’ final, were unable to get to grips with Derry. Meath will be looking to the likes of Tom Shine, Simon Ennis and Mikey Cole to get their campaign up and running. Seán Canning could return to the starting team for Roscommon, who will be depending on Enda Lawless, Conor Mulry and Paddy Fallon.

Sunday’s Christy Ring Cup games involve long trips for both away teams.

Derry will be chasing a second win when they travel to Aughrim to face Wicklow.

Derry, who fell at the final hurdle in the last three Christy Ring Cups, were convincing winners over Roscommon in their 2026 opener. Wicklow entered the championship on the back of a dramatic win in the Division III league decider, but that result was reversed by Donegal last weekend.

Derry had 13 scorers against Roscommon, with Cormac O’Doherty, Shea Cassidy, Conor Coyle and Déaglán Foley to the fore. Wicklow will need John Henderson, Pádraig Doran, Pádraig Doyle and Seánie Germaine to lead the way.

The last tie of the round in Tralee will see Kerry and Donegal vying to build on winning starts.

Three-time Joe McDonagh finalists Kerry kicked off their bid for a quick return to that grade in impressive style by beating Meath. Both counties reached finals in the league, with Donegal putting their Division III final loss to Wicklow behind them by defeating the Garden County last week.

Jordan Brick (who was voted as GAA.ie Hurler of the Week after round one) should be joined by the likes of Ronan Walsh, Tom Doyle and James O’Connor in playing key roles for Kerry. Gerard Gilmore, Liam McKinney and goal threat Richie Ryan could be crucial to Donegal’s prospects of an upset.

Nickey Rackard Cup

Round two of the Nickey Rackard Cup includes an all-Ulster clash between Fermanagh and Armagh on Saturday.

Both counties were relegated from Division III of the league, where they played out a draw in the final round, while they lost their opening Nickey Rackard games: Fermanagh to Louth and Armagh v Mayo. Caolán Duffy and Luca McCusker, Seán Corrigan and Danann McKeogh could play central roles for Fermanagh, with Barry Shortt, Odhrán Curry and Jack Loughran set to do the same for Armagh in what looks likely to be a close contest.

Also on Saturday, Sligo welcome Louth to Markievicz Park.

Division IV league winners Sligo’s 100% record for 2026 slipped away when they lost to Tyrone last week. Meanwhile, Louth made a winning start to the championship at the expense of Fermanagh. Andrew Kilcullen, Thomas Cawley and Robert and Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch give Sligo plenty of scoring power, while Darren Geoghegan, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Ciarán McKelvey and Peter Fortune will be integral to Louth’s chances of making it two wins from two.

Sunday sees Mayo and Tyrone attempt to build on their opening-round wins.

Mayo – runners-up in both 2024 and ’25 – had a convincing win over Armagh on the opening day, while Tyrone began their bid for a quick return to Christy Ring level with a four-goal victory against Sligo. Corey Scahill, Cormac Phillips and Shane Boland can lead the way for Mayo, with Michael Little, Aidy Kelly and Shea Monroe on form for Tyrone.

Lory Meagher Cup

Two of this weekend’s Lory Meagher Cup games take place at Páirc na hÉireann, starting with Warwickshire v Longford on Saturday.

Two-time Lory Meagher winners Longford continued their strong form with a comprehensive win over Lancashire last time out, while a battling performance by Warwickshire wasn’t enough to deny Cavan. Reuben Murray, Martin Farrell and Ronan Courtney were on song for Longford in round one. Warwickshire will hope that Jack Grealish, John Collins and Darragh McGuinness can inspire an upset.

The same venue hosts Lancashire v Leitrim on Sunday.

Lancashire couldn’t get to grips with Longford last Saturday, while Leitrim extended their winning streak to five by holding off a late rally from Monaghan. Philip Burgess, Gavin O’Hagan, Daniel Miller and Joe Murray are among the main men for Leitrim. Lancashire will need Peter Boylan, Pádraic Burke and Shane Nugent to be at the top of their game.

A Monaghan v Cavan double-header in Clones on Sunday starts with their Lory Meagher derby.

2023 winners Monaghan need to get off the mark after losing to Leitrim, while Cavan got their campaign up and running by seeing off Warwickshire. Just four points separated these teams when Cavan edged past their neighbours in the league last month. Mark Moffett was the first-round hat-trick hero for Cavan, with Seán Keating, Daniel Martin and Jack McGuinness also chipping in. Monaghan need to give more support up front to Niall Arthur, via the likes of Eithan Flynn, Niall Garland and Jack Guinan.

FIXTURES

Saturday, April 18

Christy Ring Cup Round 2

Roscommon v Meath, Ballyforan, 3pm

Nickey Rackard Cup Round 2

Fermanagh v Armagh, Kinawley, 3pm

Sligo v Louth, Markievicz Park, 3pm

Lory Meagher Cup Round 2

Warwickshire v Longford, Páirc na hÉireann, 2pm

Sunday, April 19

Christy Ring Cup Round 2

Wicklow v Derry, Aughrim, 12.30pm