hurling

Round-up: Weekend's Ring, Rackard, Meagher Cups action

11 May 2025 - 6:50PM

Derry hurler, Cormac O'Doherty, pictured with the Christy Ring Cup.

The Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups continue to take shape after the penultimate round of the groups took place over the weekend.

Christy Ring Cup

Wicklow claimed a major result in the Christy Ring Cup, preserving their unbeaten record and leaving them three-time winners Meath on the brink of elimination.

A storming finish to the first half proved key, with Wicklow coming from two points down to lead by 2-7 to 0-9, with John Toomey netting his second goal of the game. The hosts stayed on top from then on and when Pádraig Doyle hit the net on 55 minutes, the writing was on the wall for the 2023 champions. Jack Regan and sub James Murray were among the scorers for Meath, but the latter was sent off late on as they fell to their second loss of the group.

Derry are just a single point behind the leaders after their comprehensive win over neighbours Tyrone.

Ryan McGill’s early goal set the tone for Derry, who were 1-12 to 0-5 clear by the interval. The one-sided nature of this one continued into the second half, with Cormac O’Doherty, Shea Cassidy and John Mullan helping to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the Oak Leaf County.

London stayed in touch with a seven-point win over Donegal in Letterkenny.

Goals by Jack Morrisey (penalty) and Conor O’Carroll book-ended the first half to earn London a 2-7 to 0-7 lead. Dylan Dawson, Seán Glynn and Morrisey extended the visitors’ advantage to nine after the restart and although Donegal responded through Gerard Gilmore and goal-scorer Danny Cullen, London got the result they needed to stay just behind the top two.

Nickey Rackard Cup

Mayo qualified for their second Nickey Rackard Cup Final in a row when they overpowered Sligo in Castlebar on Saturday.

A free-scoring first half saw Mayo rack up 18 points to Sligo's 12, with Shane Boland, Liam Lavin and keeper Bobby Douglas among the marksmen for the hosts. Andrew Kilcullen continued his prolific form for Sligo, but their fading hopes were all but ended when John Heraty hit the opening goal midway through the second half. Despite being reduced to 14 men, Sligo got a goal back through Robert O'Kelly-Lynch, but Mayo had a dozen players on the scoresheet as they maintained their 100% record.

Armagh just pipped Louth to secure their second win.

Peter McKearney hit the net early on as Armagh raced into a five-point lead, but the likes of Darren Geoghegan, Mark Gahan and Leon Fox helped Louth regroup and they were two points up going into the last five minutes. Armagh found a big finish, however, as apoint from Barry Shortt and an added-time goal from sub Stephen Keenan turned it in their favour.

Roscommon will also have plenty to play for in the last round after they got the better of Fermanagh on Sunday. Finn Killion and Robbie Fallon were the first-half goal-scorers as Roscommon stormed into a 2-17 to 0-7 lead. Fermanagh upped their scoring return during the second half, but Fallon and Seán Canning raised green flags to keep the Rossies well clear. Fallon led ten Roscommon scorers with 2-5, followed by Brendan Mulry on 0-8, as they overtook Sligo in second on score difference.

Lory Meagher Cup

Cavan are set for the Lory Meagher Cup Final after they earned their fourth consecutive win with another prolific performance in Longford on Saturday.

Mícheál Mulcahy's goal was a false dawn for Longford as Cavan took over the first half, with Jack Barry, Éamon Óg McAllister and Seán Keating all hitting the net. Liam O'Brien finished with 13 points to his name for the Breffni side, who could afford to concede a couple of consolation goals to Joe Rabbitt and Ronan Courtney and still have plenty to spare.

Monaghan moved up to second place with a win over Lancashire. Goals from James Slevin and Niall Garland helped Monaghan burst into a 2-6 to 0-1 cushion. Pádraic Burke netted a free after the restart to give Lancashire hope of repeating their league victory in this fixture, but further majors from Shane and James Slevin saw Monaghan set up an important clash with Longford next weekend.

Warwickshire got off the mark at the expense of Leitrim on Sunday. Goals by Jack Grealish and Luke Hands had the home side ahead by 2-7 to 0-8 at half-time and Leitrim were never able to play catch-up, despite Seán Ó Riordáin’s eight points. The gap was down to three during the last ten minutes, but Warwickshire reeled off the next four points to secure their first win of the campaign.

RESULTS:

Saturday, May 10

Christy Ring Cup Round 4

Donegal 1-15 London 2-19

Tyrone 0-11 Derry 1-30

Wicklow 3-17 Meath 0-16

Nickey Rackard Cup Round 4

Mayo 1-32 Sligo 1-17

Armagh 2-15 Louth 0-19

Lory Meagher Cup Round 4

Lancashire 2-14 Monaghan 4-15

Longford 3-17 Cavan 3-29