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

Christy Ring Cup

Two teams who could be content with their performances on the opening day of the Christy Ring Cup, albeit with neither managing to claim full points, clash on Saturday when Mayo host Tyrone.

Mayo pushed favourites Meath all the way when losing by just two points, while Christy Ring debutants Tyrone went one step further, claiming a deserved draw from a thrilling derby against Derry. These counties contested the Nickey Rackard Cup Final in 2021, which Mayo won, before both returned to Croke Park last year. Tyrone lifted the Nickey Rackard title then, while Mayo lost out in the Christy Ring decider.

Having missed out on promotion from the Allianz Hurling League Division IIA in the absence of their Tooreen contingent, Mayo are back close to full strength, with Cormac and Adrian Phillips, Jason Coyne and Seán and David Kenny capable of leading the way. Lorcan Devlin, Seán Óg Grogan, Dermot Begley and Seán Duffin were all in fine form for Tyrone last weekend.

Meath will be targeting a second win when they travel to Ruislip to face London on Sunday.

A fancied Meath side, who are looking to make a quick return to the Joe McDonagh Cup, had to work hard to hold off a stern challenge from Mayo in round one, while London were pipped to the finish line by Sligo. The teams had contrasting league campaigns, with Meath winning Division IIB and London having to secure their status via a relegation play-off, although their own meeting saw the Exiles go within a point of ripping up the form book at Sunday’s venue.

Jack Regan, James Toher, Éamon Ó Donnchadha and Pádraig O’Hanrahan have been central to Meath winning seven games on the spin. Ronan Crowley, Jack Goulding and Daithí Barron will be key to London’s chances.

Sligo will be chasing another big result when they head to Owenbeg to take on Derry.

A late goal from Joe McHugh proved decisive as Sligo edged out London last time out, while Derry may have left Omagh relieved to have secured a draw against neighbours Tyrone. Both of these teams are looking to put Allianz Hurling League relegations behind them, with Derry having dropped out of Division IIA and Sligo doing likewise from Division IIB. The Oak Leaf County ran out convincing winners when the teams met in last year’s group stage.

Having relied on Cormac O’Doherty for a large chunk of their scores during the league, Derry saw John Mullan step up with 1-8 from play against Tyrone. Andrew Kilcullen, Diarmuid Hanniffy, Joe McHugh and Tomás Cawley should be to the fore for Sligo.

Nickey Rackard Cup

All three Nickey Rackard Cup games are down for decision on Saturday, starting with an Ulster derby between Armagh and Donegal.

Armagh reversed their recent history with Roscommon to claim a comprehensive win at Dr. Hyde Park last week, while a late surge saw Donegal eventually pull away from a stubborn Fermanagh challenge. Both teams went into the championship on the back of falling short in league finals, with Donegal having lost to Meath in Division IIB and Roscommon having denied Armagh a Division IIIA title.

Fionntán Donnelly has been in free-scoring form for Armagh, who will also need Tomás Galvin, Cormac Jennings and Odhrán Curry to show the way. Donegal were boosted by the fitness of Danny Cullen, Declan Coulter and Stephen Gillespie for their opener, while Liam McKinney maintained his prolific run.

Wicklow will be looking to build on a confident Nickey Rackard debut when they meet Fermanagh in Ederney.

Wicklow (Christy Ring Cup ever-presents up to last year) wasted little time in blowing Louth away in the first round. Fermanagh’s fate mirrored their league campaign as another competitive performance – with 14 men for more than half of the game – fell short of taking the scalp of Donegal.

Gavin Weir, Andy O’Brien, Luke Maloney and Luke Evans were all on song for Wicklow last weekend, with Christy Moorehouse adding an impact off the bench. Fermanagh will need big performances from Luca McCusker, Daniel Teague, Caolán Duffy and Seán Corrigan if they are to cause an upset. Both teams are set to be without key men through suspension: John Henderson for Wicklow and Brian Teehan for Fermanagh.

Louth and Roscommon will both be aiming for their first points of the campaign when they clash in Darver.

Louth fell to a heavy defeat against Wicklow in round one, while the momentum Roscommon had built in the second half of the league was checked by a home loss to Armagh. 2022 Lory Meagher winners Louth managed to turn Roscommon over in the second round of the Allianz Hurling League, but the Rossies, who reached the Nickey Rackard decider last year, recovered to win Division IIIA.

Darren Geoghegan is the talisman for Louth, with support from the likes of Liam Molloy and Seán Kerrisk. Roscommon will be leaning on Mickey Joe Egan, Paddy Fallon, Naos Connaughton and Conor Mulry to get them back on track.

Lory Meagher Cup

Two teams who finished the Lory Meagher Cup round one on a high cross paths when Leitrim host Lancashire on Saturday.

Lancashire, who were Lory Meagher finalists in 2018 and 2019, have struggled to recapture that kind of form since returning to competitive action after a lengthy absence, but they got a notable boost with a high-scoring win over Longford. Leitrim claimed a share of the spoils from their trip to Monaghan, but it must have felt like a win for the 2019 champions, who came from seven points down late on to stun the home side. Leitrim beat the Exiles by five points in February, en route to a Division IIIB final appearance.

Lancashire will have been thrilled to have 11 players on the scoresheet last time out, with Darragh Carroll adding to the threat offered by Robin Spencer, Shane Madden and Ray McCormack. Martin Feeney, Gavin O’Hagan and Conor Beirne did most to earn Leitrim their opening-round result.

As the curtain-raiser to the Ulster SFC quarter-final between Cavan and Armagh, the Breffni hurlers meet local rivals Monaghan.

Cavan have been back on the upward curve this year, putting a winless 2022 behind them to clinch the Division IIIB title at the start of April, but they were turned over by Warwickshire last weekend. Division IIIA semi-finalists Monaghan, meanwhile, were within touching distance of a win over Leitrim, only for a late comeback to see them have to settle for a draw.

Cavan can call on Kilkenny duo Canice Maher and Nicky Kenny, as well as the Sheanons and Diarmaid Carney. Monaghan will be depending on Fergal Rafter, Thomas Hughes, Niall Garland and Niall Arthur.

Sunday’s fixture sees Longford meet Warwickshire.

Two-time Lory Meagher winners Longford will hope to fare better than they did against Lancashire, while former Nickey Rackard finalists Warwickshire will have a spring in their step after ending their long wait for a win at the expense of Cavan. Longford had a mere four points to spare when the teams met in the league just under two months ago.

Cathal Mullane, Paddy Lynam, Reuben Murray and David Buckley are among the main men for Longford, with Warwickshire relying on Jack Grealish, Luke Hands and Pádraic Crehan.

FIXTURES

Saturday, April 22

Christy Ring Cup Round 2

Mayo v Tyrone, Castlebar, 3pm

Nickey Rackard Cup Round 2

Armagh v Donegal, Athletic Grounds, 2pm

Fermanagh v Wicklow, Ederney, 3pm

Louth v Roscommon, Darver, 3pm

Lory Meagher Cup Round 2

Leitrim v Lancashire, Drumshanbo, 1pm

Cavan v Monaghan, Kingspan Breffni, 4.15pm

Sunday, April 23

Christy Ring Cup Round 2

London v Meath, Ruislip, 1pm

Derry v Sligo, Owenbeg, 3pm

Lory Meagher Cup Round 2

Longford v Warwickshire, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm