Hurling

Ring, Rackard, and Meagher Cup previews

25 May 2018 - 2:38PM

Newly appointed Westmeath hurling team manager, Joe Quaid.

The semi-finals of the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups are down for decision this weekend, along with the relegation play-offs. There is also plenty to play for in the final round of Lory Meagher Cup group games.

By Colm Shalvey

CHRISTY RING CUP

The first Christy Ring Cup semi-final is an Ulster derby between Antrim and Down at Loughgiel on Saturday.

2006 winners Antrim made a winning return to the second tier by seeing off Kildare and Roscommon, while Down recovered from losing to London to knock out Derry and Roscommon.

Antrim missed out on promotion from Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League after a turbulent start to the season that led to a change of management, while Down reached the Division 2B Final, only to lose to Armagh.

Down, who won this title in 2013, will be determined to make up for losing to Antrim by the narrowest of margins in last year’s Ulster SHC Final.

Top marksman Ciarán Clarke, Kevin McKernan, and Eddie McCloskey are among the main men for Antrim, who will be hoping that Ciarán Johnston overcomes an injury concern. Conor Woods, Danny Toner, Aaron O’Prey, and Oisín McManus are central to Down’s chances.

The second semi-final is also a local derby between Leinster rivals Kildare and Meath on Sunday at Newbridge.

2014 winners Kildare are in the last four for the fourth year in a row after bouncing back from defeat against Antrim to oust Wicklow and London; the same two teams that Meath have beaten en route to this stage.

Both teams maintained Division 2 status in this year’s Allianz Hurling League: Kildare in 2A and Meath in 2B. Meath beat Kildare in championship in 2012 and 2013, only to have their hopes ended by the same opponents in the 2014 semis and last year’s quarter-finals. Kildare will be keen to atone for their heavy loss to Kerry at this stage 12 months ago.

Gerry Keegan (who has 0-30 to his name in the last three games), Martin Fitzgerald, Paul Divilly, and Mark Moloney are key players for Kildare, with Meath’s chances largely depending on the likes of James Toher, Adam Gannon, Neil Heffernan, and Gavin McGowan.

Just a year after reaching the Christy Ring Cup Final, Derry need to win a play-off against Wicklow in Newry on Saturday to secure their status in the second tier.

Derry’s fortunes have been in stark contrast to their conquerors at Croke Park last June, Kerry, who have gone from strength to strength.

Having been relegated from Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League, Derry’s hopes of another run in this championship were ended by Roscommon and Down. Wicklow followed an underwhelming Division 2B campaign with defeats against Meath and Kildare.

Ruairí Convery, Shane Farren, Alan Grant, and Oisín McCloskey are key men for Derry, while Wicklow, who were without Mikey Lee in their last game, saw their chances hit further by red cards for Christy Moorehouse, Gavin Weir, and Billy Cuddihy; which will increase the burden on players like Éamonn Kearns and Diarmuid Masterson.

Armagh forward Ryan Gaffney.

NICKY RACKARD CUP

Mayo will attempt to qualify for the Nicky Rackard Cup Final at the first attempt when they travel to Letterkenny to take on Donegal on Saturday.

Having been relegated from the Christy Ring last year, Mayo have impressed in qualifying for this stage with wins over Tyrone and Armagh. Donegal lost to Armagh, but have since knocked out another couple of Ulster teams, Fermanagh and Monaghan. Mayo fared much better than their opponents in Division 2B of the Allianz Hurling League, where Donegal ended up being relegated, although they had just four points to spare when they met an injury-disrupted Tír Chónaill side.

Mayo, who were Christy Ring semi-finalists as recently as 2014, will hope that dual star Keith Higgins is available alongside players such as Kenny Feeney, Eoghan Collins, and new recruits Ger and Joe McManus.

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.

At the same time, the Naomh Barróg grounds in Kilbarrack hosts the clash of the last two Nicky Rackard runners-up, Fingal and Armagh.

Wins over Longford and Monaghan have 2014 beaten finalists Fingal through to the semi-finals for a third consecutive year. 2010 and 2012 winners Armagh, who were pipped by Roscommon at Croke Park last June, are bidding to reach a fifth final. Having won the Allianz Hurling League Division 2B, Armagh have beaten Donegal and Longford, either side of a loss to Mayo.

John Matthew Sheridan, Cillian and Kevin O’Flynn and TJ Howard should be to the fore for Fingal, while Armagh will need Ryan Gaffney, Conor Corvan, Declan Coulter, and Cathal Carvill on form.

Later on Saturday, Carrickmore is the venue for the relegation play-off between Tyrone and Fermanagh.

This is the second time for these teams to contest a play-off this year, as they also met in a battle for Allianz Hurling League Division 3A status, which Tyrone won, after Fermanagh had lifted the Division 3B title.

Winners of this competition just two years ago, Tyrone now need to once again beat their neighbours to avoid demotion after losing to Mayo and Longford. Fermanagh were beaten by Monaghan and Donegal.

Despite Tyrone’s struggles this year, their star man Damian Casey now has 3-90 to his name, with the Red Hands also needing big contributions from the likes of Aidan Kelly, Conor Grogan, and Gerard Gilmore. Fermanagh are similarly dependent for scores on Seán Corrigan, who will need support from players like Ryan Bogue, John Duffy, and Daniel Teague.

LORY MEAGHER CUP

The last round of group games in the Lory Meagher Cup sees Connacht rivals Sligo and Leitrim battle it out Markievicz Park for a place in the final against Louth.

Sligo lost to table-toppers Louth first time out, but wins over Warwickshire and Lancashire have them in pole position to progress ahead of Leitrim, who beat Lancashire but lost to Warwickshire and Louth.

A draw would be enough for Sligo to secure second place, but a win for Leitrim (who beat their neighbours in a Division 3B league game in March) could see them edge through, depending on the result in Birmingham.

Sligo will be looking for big performances from Keith Raymond, Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, Ciarán Brenan, and Cormac Behan, while Leitrim will need Pádraig O’Donnell, Clement Cunniffe, and Gavin O’Hagan on form.

The other game sees Warwickshire and Lancashire go head-to-head at Páirc na hÉireann.

Warwickshire began their campaign with a fine win away to Leitrim, but defeats at the hands of Sligo and Louth leave them with slim hopes of advancing to a first final since their 2013 success.

Lancashire’s three straight defeats have continued their wait for a first win in the competition. Warwickshire need a comprehensive win and for Sligo to lose to have any chance of claiming second place on score difference.

Warwickshire will look to John Reddan, Liam Reale, Shane Morrissey, Pauric Crehan, and Conor Robbins to spearhead their challenge, with Lancashire depending on the likes of Patrick Duggan, David Coughlan, and Nathan Unwin.

FIXTURES

Saturday, May 21

Christy Ring Cup Semi-Final

Antrim v Down, Loughgiel, 3.30pm

**Christy Ring Cup Relegation Play-Off **

Derry v Wicklow, Páirc Esler, 3.30pm

Nicky Rackard Cup Semi -Finals

Donegal v Mayo, Letterkenny, 3.30pm

Fingal v Armagh, Naomh Barróg, 3.30pm

Nicky Rackard Cup Relegation Play-Off

Tyrone v Fermanagh,** **Carrickmore, 7pm

Lory Meagher Cup Round 5