The 2019 Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups get underway this weekend.

Christy Ring Cup

The first game of the Christy Ring Cup sees Down and Derry contest an Ulster derby in Group 1 on Saturday.

Derry have had the edge when these sides have met of late, having won last year on their way to the Christy Ring semi-finals, where they lost out to Kildare. 2017 Nicky Rackard Cup winners Derry also beat Down in the Allianz Hurling League, before reaching the Division 2B Final, where they lost to Wicklow. Down have competed in every year of the Christy Ring Cup, but haven’t featured in the final since they won their only title to date in 2013.

Richie Mullan and Cormac O’Doherty were in prolific form this spring for Derry, who will also be looking for big performances from the likes of Liam Óg Hinphey, Cian Waldron and Sé McGuigan in their first summer under the guidance of Laois native John McEvoy. Paul Sheehan, Conor Woods, Oisín McManus and Daithí Sands will be expected to lead Down’s challenge.

The other Group 1 game sees Wicklow travel to Letterkenny to face Donegal on Sunday.

Christy Ring Cup ever-presents Wicklow have yet to win the title, despite reaching back-to-back finals in 2011 and 2012 and contesting semi-finals in each of the last two years. They go into this campaign on a high after winning the Allianz Hurling League Division 2B, having earned a five-point win at Sunday’s venue in round three. Donegal (who earned promotion by winning the 2018 Nicky Rackard Cup) beat Warwickshire in their last group game in the league, only to lose a relegation play-off against the same opponents the following week.

Christy Moorehouse, Andy O’Brien, Enda Donohoe and Michael Boland could play key roles for Wicklow, while Lee Henderson, Danny Cullen and Ciarán Matthewson will be critical to Donegal’s chances, particularly in the absence of injured forward Declan Coulter.

The Group 2 games are down for decision on Sunday, including Roscommon v Kildare in Athleague.

Kildare will enter this one as strong favourites, having run out comprehensive winners when they hosted Roscommon 12 months ago, before going on to win the Christy Ring Cup for the second time in five years. The Lilywhites missed out on promotion after losing a play-off against Antrim and they also fell short of a quick return to Division IIA of the Allianz Hurling League after losing to eventual winners Wicklow in the penultimate round. Roscommon have maintained their status in this tier since winning the 2015 Nicky Rackard Cup and they enjoyed a positive league; winning the Division IIIA title.

Brian Byrne was in free-scoring form all spring for Kildare, hitting an amazing 5-44 (including 3-14 in a comprehensive win over Warwickshire). Paul Divilly, Cathal Dowling and James Burke could also be to the fore. Roscommon will need Cathal Dolan, Shane Curley, Eamon Flanagan and Gearóid and Cillian Egan on top form.

Two previous champions clash when Meath welcome London to Navan.

2016 winners Meath were relegated from the Joe McDonagh Cup last year, while London contested their first Christy Ring Final since their 2012 success, only to lose to Kildare. Both teams competed in Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League, where a win over London proved key in keeping Meath up, with six straight defeats seeing the Exiles relegated.

Pádraig O’Hanrahan, Jack Regan, Fionn Ferguson and James Toher should be among the main men for Meath, with London depending on runaway top scorer Aaron Sheehan, as well as Tadhg Healy and Conor Allis.

Nicky Rackard Cup

First up in the Nicky Rackard Cup on Saturday is an all-Ulster clash between Armagh and Monaghan.

Armagh, who lost three consecutive Nicky Rackard Cup Finals between 2015 and 2017, were relegated from the Christy Ring Cup last summer. They reached the Allianz Hurling League Division IIIA decider this spring, but lost out to Roscommon. Monaghan, who reached the semi-final stage in each of the last two years, were boosted early this year by Castleblayney reaching the All-Ireland Club JHC decider, with the return of their county contingent then helping them to finish their league campaign in good form.

Armagh should be able to call on by the likes of Danny Magee, Nathan and Odhrán Curry and Dylan McKenna, with Monaghan depending on big showings from Fergal Rafter, Mark and Peter Treanor and Kevin Crawley.

Group 1 also features the meeting of Longford and Warwickshire on Sunday.

Warwickshire continued their recent strides by enjoying a progressive 2018 campaign. The 2017 Lory Meagher Cup winners added the Allianz Hurling League Division 3A to their cabinet, before reaching their first Nicky Rackard Final, which they lost to Donegal. Warwickshire turned the tables on Donegal in a relegation play-off to retain their Division 2B status. Longford, meanwhile, pipped Sligo after extra-time in the Division IIIB Final to secure a quick return to Division 3A.

Warwickshire will hope to have players like Niall Kennedy, Ian Dwyer, John Collins, Emmet McCabe and Kelvin Magee available, while Longford would need David Buckley, Cathal Mullane, Paddy Corcoran and John Mulhern on top of their game.

Louth welcome Sligo to Dowdallshill for Saturday’s Group 2 opener.

Louth lost four Nicky Rackard Finals between 2005 and 2012, but haven’t been back at that stage since. Having won the Kehoe Shield in January, the Wee County narrowly avoided relegation from Division 3A of the 2019 league, while Sligo went so close to going the opposite direction; losing to Longford after extra-time in the Division 3B Final. Sligo had also lost Lory Meagher Cup deciders in 2015 and 2016, but they picked up silverware in that competition at Croke Park last June.

Darren Geoghegan, Gerry McKeown, David Kettle and Seaghán Connelly are big players for Louth, with Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, Kevin Gilmartin, Liam Reidy and Gary Cadden set to backbone Sligo.

2016 winners Mayo return to the Nicky Rackard Cup with a trip to Omagh to face 2014 champions Tyrone on Sunday.

Mayo were relegated from the Christy Ring Cup last year, but they had a good end to their league campaign, winning a Division IIA relegation play-off against London. Meanwhile, Tyrone narrowly missed out on a place in the Division 3A Final.

Shane Boland, Cathal Freeman, Seán Kenny and Seán Regan are central to Mayo’s plans, while Tyrone’s scoring power depends largely on Damian Casey, with support from Matthew Mulgrew, Tiarnan Morgan, Bryan McGurk and Ryan McKernan.

FIXTURES

Saturday, May 11

Christy Ring Cup Group 1 Round 1

Down v Derry, Portaferry, 3pm

Nicky Rackard Cup Group 1 Round 1

Armagh v Monaghan, Athletic Grounds, 3pm

Nicky Rackard Cup Group 2 Round 1

Louth v Sligo, Dowdallshill, Dundalk, 3pm

Sunday, May 12

Christy Ring Cup Group 1 Round 1

Donegal v Wicklow, Letterkenny, 1pm

Christy Ring Cup Group 2 Round 1

Roscommon v Kildare, Athleague, 12.45pm

Meath v London, Navan, 1pm

Nicky Rackard Cup Group 1 Round 1

Longford v Warwickshire, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1pm

Nicky Rackard Cup Group 2 Round 1

Tyrone v Mayo, Omagh, 2pm