Hurling

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

24 April 2026 - 10:41AM

Donegal goalkeeper Luke White. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

The Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cup group stages pass the midway point this weekend.

Christy Ring Cup

Kerry will be targeting a third consecutive win in the Christy Ring Cup when they travel to Ballyforan to play Roscommon on Saturday.

It’s a top v bottom clash, with Kerry having started their bid for a quick return to the Joe McDonagh with wins over Meath and Donegal, while Roscommon are still searching for their first points after losing to Derry and Meath.

Pádraig Boyle and Kevin Goulding hit five goals between them last time out for Kerry, who will also be looking for big performances from Jordan Brick, Ronan Walsh and James O’Connor. Roscommon will be depending on Enda Lawless, Conor Mulry and Seán Canning.

Donegal make the short trip to Derry for an Ulster derby on Saturday.

Both teams have two points after two rounds. Donegal beat Wicklow and put in a competitive performance against Kerry, despite playing more than half the game with 14 men, while Derry saw off Roscommon, before being pipped by Wicklow. The latter result leaves Derry needing to bounce back if they are to make the final for a fourth consecutive season.

Gerard Gilmore, Liam McKinney, Richie Ryan and Luke White could play key roles for Donegal, with Cormac O’Doherty, Shea Cassidy, Conor Coyle and Déaglán Foley set to do likewise for Derry.

Sunday’s Christy Ring Cup fixture is Wicklow v Meath.

Both sides have a win and a loss to their name to date. Wicklow recovered from losing to Donegal with a narrow victory over Derry, while Meath also put a first-round setback against Kerry behind them to defeat Roscommon last weekend.

Tom Shine, Mark Leavy and Lorcan Byrne were in scoring form for Meath in round two, while Pádraig Doyle, John Henderson and Pádraig Doran helped lead Wicklow’s return to winning ways.

Nickey Rackard Cup

Round three of the Nickey Rackard Cup starts with Saturday’s meeting of Louth and Tyrone.

Having dropped down from Christy Ring level last year, Tyrone are the early front-runners after hitting nine goals in wins over Sligo and Mayo, while Louth’s form has fluctuated from a winning start against Fermanagh to a heavy loss to Sligo.

Michael Little, Aidy Kelly, Turlough Mullin, Niall McGarel and Shea Munroe provide scoring threats for Tyrone, while Darren Geoghegan, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Ciarán McKelvey and Peter Fortune will be integral to Louth’s chances of an upset.

Fermanagh host Mayo at Brewster Park on Sunday.

Fermanagh lost to Louth in round one, but they eked out a dramatic win over Armagh last week, while Mayo – runners-up in both 2024 and ’25 – proved too strong for Armagh, only to lose their second match after an early barrage of goals by Tyrone.

Caolán Duffy, Luca McCusker, Seán Corrigan and Danann McKeogh could play central roles for Fermanagh, while Mayo should be able to call on Cormac and Adrian Phillips, David Kenny and Shane Boland to lead their challenge.

Sunday also sees Sligo and Armagh face off in Tubbercurry.

Division Four league winners Sligo’s 100% record for 2026 slipped away when they lost to Tyrone in the first round, but they got back at it in emphatic fashion with a big victory over Louth. Armagh, meanwhile, are chasing their first points of the campaign after losing to Mayo and Fermanagh.

Andrew Kilcullen, Thomas and Finnian Cawley and Robert and Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch give Sligo plenty of scoring power. Armagh will need Barry Shortt, Odhrán Curry and Jack Loughran on song if they are to get off the mark at the third attempt.

Lory Meagher Cup

Páirc na hÉireann hosts a Lory Meagher Cup double-header on Sunday, starting with Lancashire v Cavan.

Lancashire are yet to open their account after losing to Longford and Leitrim, while 2025 runners-up Cavan beat Warwickshire, before losing to neighbours Monaghan. Mark Moffett has had a prolific season for Cavan, with Seán Keating, Rían Delaney and Jack McGuinness also contributing. Lancashire will need Peter Boylan, Pádraic Burke and Shane Nugent to be at the top of their game.

Part two of that double-bill is between Warwickshire and Monaghan.

Despite battling performances in the opening two rounds, Warwickshire have fallen short against Cavan and Longford. Monaghan lost to Leitrim on the opening day, but they regrouped with a fine win over Cavan. Niall Arthur, Eithan Flynn and Jack Guinan should be to the fore for Monaghan, with Jack Grealish, John Collins and Luke Hands hoping to get Warwickshire up and running.

The top two clash when Longford make the short journey to Carrick-on-Shannon to take on Leitrim.

Both counties have maximum points to their name, with Longford having overpowered Lancashire and Warwickshire, while Leitrim have seen off Monaghan and Lancashire. The teams have both been in strong form throughout this season, losing just twice each between league and championship to date, with one of Leitrim’s defeats coming by three points against Longford back in January.

Joe Rabbitt hit 2-4 last time out for Longford, joining the likes of Reuben Murray, Johnny Casey and Ronan Courtney on the scoresheet. Philip Burgess, Gavin O’Hagan, Daniel Miller and Joe Murray are among the main men for Leitrim.

Fixtures

Saturday April 25

Christy Ring Cup Round 3

Derry v Donegal, Find Insurance Celtic Park, 1pm

Roscommon v Kerry, Ballyforan, 1pm

Nickey Rackard Cup Round 3

Louth v Tyrone, Dowdallshill, 3pm

Sunday April 26

Christy Ring Cup Round 3

Wicklow v Meath, Aughrim, 2pm

Nickey Rackard Cup Round 3

Fermanagh v Mayo, Enniskillen, 2pm