The Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups continue this weekend.

Christy Ring Cup

Roscommon host Derry in the Christy Ring Cup at Athleague on Saturday.

Roscommon lost to Wicklow in the Group A opener last weekend and they will be looking to halt a five-game losing run since competitive action resumed in May. Johnny Keane’s side were relegated from Division IIB of the Allianz Hurling League, having fallen to a heavy defeat away to Derry in the final round. Both of these counties have won two Nickey Rackard titles in the past, while Derry contested a Christy Ring Final in 2015.

2020 Christy Ring Cup top scorer Cathal Dolan continues to carry the bulk of Roscommon’s attacking threat, although Cillian Egan stepped up with four points last time out. Cormac O’Doherty racked up 35 points during the league for Derry, while Brian Cassidy is also a regular on the scoresheet. Sé McGuigan, Gerald Bradley and John Mullan can also contribute plenty for Derry.

Group B sees Offaly travel to Sligo.

Four-time All-Ireland champions Offaly were relegated from the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2019 and after winning on their Christy Ring Cup debut against Derry last year, they were dumped out by Down after a thriller that ended up being decided by a penalty shoot-out. The Faithful County sent out signals that they may be on the way back with a series of comprehensive wins in the Allianz Hurling League that saw them claim the Division IIA title with a score difference of +91.

Sligo, who were in the Lory Meagher Cup as recently as three years ago, have been on an upward curve of late, having secured back-to-back championship promotions in 2018 and 2019. They have also been moving up in the Allianz Hurling League, winning Division IIIB last year and Division IIIA just last month.

Eoghan Cahill has been in prolific form for Offaly throughout the last two seasons, accumulating a remarkable 2-120 in 11 games. Shane Dooley, Liam Langton and Brian Duignan could also play key roles. Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch hit 5-38 during Sligo’s successful recent league campaign. Sligo will also need big performances from Joe McHugh, Kevin Banks and Conor Hannify if they are to put it up to the favourites.

Nickey Rackard Cup

Mayo will be looking to build on a winning start to the Nickey Rackard Cup when they host neighbours Leitrim.

Mayo reversed last year’s Nickey Rackard Final loss to Donegal by inflicting a rare O’Donnell Park defeat on the hosts last Saturday. Mayo competed well in a competitive Allianz Hurling League Division IIB, ending up just behind 2020 Christy Ring Cup winners Kildare, having claimed a notable scalp against Derry in round one. By contrast, Leitrim had a forgettable campaign, losing their three games in Division IIIB. Leitrim were promoted after winning their first Lory Meagher Cup in 2019 and they made it to the semi-finals last year, where they put it up to Mayo for the first half, only to fall away as the game progressed.

Four-time All-Star footballer Keith Higgins underlined the importance of his availability to the Mayo hurlers with an influential performance last time out, while Shane Boland and Adrian Phillips were also to the fore. Leitrim will need Karl McDermott, Colm and Liam Moreton and Gavin O’Hagan on top form in Castlebar.

The Group B fixture is an Ulster derby between Armagh and Tyrone.

Armagh have been the nearly-men of this competition since winning two titles in three between 2010 and 2012, as the seven-time finalists were runners-up in four times between 2015 and 2019. Tyrone, who reached the semi-finals last year, won the title in their only final appearance to date in 2014. These teams finished second and third in the Allianz Hurling League Division IIA, with Armagh claiming a narrow derby win in the final round.

Free-taker Fionntán Donnelly was Armagh’s leading marksman in the league, while Aaron Fox, Odhrán Curry and Eoin McGuinness are other key players. Damian Casey remains the talisman for Tyrone, with support from the likes of Bryan McGurk and new recruit, Antrim native CJ McGourty.

Lory Meagher Cup

Lory Meagher Cup holders Louth will bid to bounce back from a heavy opening-round defeat when they host Monaghan.

Louth won their second Lory Meagher title in five years last November and they followed that up with more silverware via the Allianz Hurling League Division IIIB, but they were left stunned by a goal-hungry Longford side last Saturday. A win over Longford last month was enough for Monaghan, who are in the Lory Meagher for the first time to maintain their Division IIIA status in the league.

Darren Geoghegan and Paul Matthews are key forwards for Louth, who will hope to be able to recall last year’s main man Andrew Mackin. Monaghan will be looking to Fergal Rafter, Mark Treanor and Stephen Lambe to lead the way.

Neighbours Cavan and Fermanagh renew acquaintances on Sunday.

These sides have played out two draws inside eight months, once in last year’s Lory Meagher and again in the recent Allianz Hurling League, where they finished joint-second in Division IIIB. Fermanagh went on to lose to Louth at Croke Park last November in their fourth Lory Meagher Final appearance, five years after their last title.

Brian Fitzgerald, Diarmaid and Caoimhín Carney and Sean Keating are among the main men for Cavan, with Seán Corrigan, Francis McBrien, Shea Curran and John Duffy carrying much of the scoring burden for Fermanagh.

FIXTURES

Saturday, July 3

Christy Ring Cup Group A

Roscommon v Derry, Athleague, 2pm

Christy Ring Cup Group B

Sligo v Offaly, Markievicz Park, 3pm

Nickey Rackard Cup Group A

Mayo v Leitrim, Castlebar, 3pm

Nickey Rackard Cup Group B

Armagh v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 1.30pm

Lory Meagher Cup Group A

Louth v Monaghan, Darver, 7pm

Sunday, July 4

Lory Meagher Cup Group A

Cavan v Fermanagh, Kingspan Breffni, 1.30pm