The Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups reach the knock-out stages this Saturday, while the Lory Meagher Cup group stage is at the third round.

By Colm Shalvey

CHRISTY RING CUP

The last two Christy Ring Cup semi-final places are up for grabs on Saturday.

Kildare welcome London to Newbridge.  Kildare lost to Antrim in Round 1, before bouncing back to ease past Wicklow, while London had an away win over Down, only to let a five-point lead slip away as they lost to Meath at Ruislip last Sunday.

These teams drew in early March in the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A, where London went on to finish third, two places and four points better off than Kildare.

Gerry Keegan (who has 0-21 to his name in the last two games), Martin Fitzgerald, Paul Divilly, and Mark Moloney are key players for Kildare, with Kevin O’Loughlin, Kevin Reid, Shane O’Donnell, and Martin Duggan among the main men for London.

Roscommon face Ulster opposition for the third week in a row when they travel to Ballycran to face Down.

Having turned over last year’s runners-up Derry, Roscommon also put it up to Antrim last Saturday, only for a strong finish by the favourites to decide the game. 2013 champions Down lost to London in their opening game, but they got through a tight battle with Derry in Round 2B.

Both teams reached Allianz Hurling League Finals this spring, when Roscommon won the Division 3A title and Down lost out to neighbours Armagh in Division 2B.

Roscommon will be looking for big performances from Jerry Fallon, Cillian Egan, Micheál Kelly, and Ronan O’Meara, while Danny Toner, Conor Woods, Aaron O’Prey, and Oisín McManus are central to Down’s chances.

NICKY RACKARD CUP

The **Nicky Rackard Cup **semi-final line-up is also due to be completed on Saturday.  First up, Longford have home advantage against Armagh.

Longford fell short of getting promoted from Division 3B of the Allianz Hurling League, losing to Fermanagh in the final, but they put up a decent showing in their Rackard Cup opener against Fingal, before knocking Tyrone out of contention last Saturday. Armagh, who enjoyed a great run to the Division 2B title, won their opener against Donegal, only to find last week’s clash with Mayo a hurdle too high.

Longford have plenty of firepower in the likes of Joe O’Brien, Cathal Mullane, and Paddy Farrington, but Armagh can call on players of the calibre of Ryan Gaffney, Conor Corvan, Declan Coulter, and Cathal Carvill.

Monaghan will hope to finally take the scalp of Donegal when they meet in Inniskeen.

Donegal have knocked Monaghan out of this competition three times in the last four years, including in the 2013 semi-finals, when the Tír Chónaill men went on to win the title. Donegal have had a difficult year, which saw them get relegated from Division 2B of the league and lose their championship opener against Armagh, but they got their first competitive win of 2016 last week, despite playing more than half of their game against Fermanagh with 14 men. Having been beaten in the Division 3A Final for the second year in a row, Monaghan beat Fermanagh in Round 1, but they were then edged by Fingal.

Donegal have been boosted by the return from injury of both Danny Cullen and Jamesie Donnelly, who should be prominent, along with Seán McVeigh, Lee Henderson, and Ciarán Mathewson. Monaghan will be looking to Stephen Lambe, Mark and Peter Treanor, Niall Garland, and Brian McGuigan to lead their challenge.

LORY MEAGHER CUP

Louth bid for a third consecutive win in the Lory Meagher Cup when they welcome Lancashire to Dunleer.

Wins over Sligo and Warwickshire have Louth well placed in their maiden appearance in this competition, while Lancashire are still chasing their first win at this level after losing to Leitrim last Saturday.

Despite starting both games without key forward Liam Dwan, Louth have so far overcome that, largely thanks to the efforts of Diarmuid Murphy, Paddy Lynch, Nigel Stanley, and Shane Callan. Lancashire will be depending on the availability of the likes of Patrick Duggan, David Coughlan, and Colm Mac Eoin.

Sligo will be hoping to get off the mark when they host Warwickshire.  Sligo’s only game so far was a loss to Louth, while Warwickshire have already earned one win in Connacht at the expense of Leitrim, although they lost to Louth in their second outing.

Keith Raymond, Ciarán Brenan, Kevin Gilmartin, and former Warwickshire player Cormac Behan should be to the fore for Sligo, while the Exiles will look to John Reddan, Liam Reale, Shane Morrissey, Pauric Crehan, and Conor Robbins to spearhead their challenge.

FIXTURES

Saturday, May 7

Christy Ring Cup Quarter-Finals**

Down v Roscommon, Ballycran, 2pm

Kildare v London, Newbridge, 2pm

** Nicky Rackard Cup Quarter-Finals**

Longford v Armagh, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1.30pm

Monaghan v Donegal, Inniskeen, 3pm

Lory Meagher Cup Round 3

Louth v Lancashire, Dunleer, 2pm

Sligo v Warwickshire, Sligo GAA Centre of Excellence, 2pm