The Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups continued to take shape in the penultimate round of the groups.

Christy Ring Cup

Kildare took another step towards a Christy Ring Cup Final place with a convincing win over Tyrone in Dungannon.

David Qualter hit nine first-half points as Kildare built up an unassailable 0-19 to 0-4 lead, which they promptly increased with a goal from sub James Dillon. Aidan Kelly and sub Joe McToal landed 10 points between them for Tyrone, but that was almost the entire tally for the hosts, who were already toiling by the time Kildare sprung the in-form Jack Sheridan off the bench to hit 1-3 in a productive cameo. With Qualter and Cian Boran leading a list of 12 Kildare scorers, Brian Dowling’s side claimed their 14^th consecutive win in this competition.

Derry gave their qualification hopes a real boost by ending London’s 100% record.

Jack Goulding continued his prolific form for London, with his early goal bringing them into the game after Derry had made a strong start. Ruairí Ó Mianáin and Seán Glynn hit the net at either end as the momentum swung throughout a first half that ended with Derry ahead by the minimum: 1-11 to 2-7. The result remained very much in the balance until near the hour mark when Christy McNaughton’s goal gave Derry some breathing space and although Goulding finished with 1-8, points from the likes of Cormac O’Doherty, Darragh McGilligan and Corey O'Reilly kept the hosts clear at Owenbeg.

Wicklow got off the mark when they pipped Sligo in Aughrim on Sunday.

Warren Kavanagh’s goal helped Wicklow lead by 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval and they went on to open up an eight-point gap when Gary Hughes found the net. Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch and Thomas Cawley led a spirited comeback from Sligo, who hit five unanswered points down the home straight to get back on level terms. O’Kelly-Lynch took his tally to 1-8 in added time as Sligo looked set to grab a share of the spoils, only for Seánie Germaine’s sixth point to swing it in Wicklow’s favour.

Nickey Rackard Cup

Donegal are through to for a second consecutive Nickey Rackard Cup Final after preserving their unblemished record in a top-of-the-table clash with Roscommon.

The teams were level at 0-6 apiece midway through the first half, before Donegal surged clear in the second quarter, with Gerard Gilmore, Liam McKinney and goal-scorer Seán Ward helping them to a 1-13 to 0-8 lead. Roscommon goals from Robbie Fallon and Brendan Mulry book-ended the second half, but with Gilmore (0-9) and McKinney (0-7, all from play) leading the way, Donegal made it four wins from four.

Mayo’s prolific win over Armagh saw them set up a crucial final-round derby against Roscommon.

Early goals from John Heraty and Seán Regan set the tone for Mayo, who led by 3-12 to 0-7 at the break, with Shane Boland adding their third and Liam Lavin also starring up front. Alex O’Boyle hit 0-9 for Armagh, who got a consolation through Ciarán Duffy, but by then, Cormac Philips had notched a fourth for Mayo, who had four subs among their list of 15 scorers.

Louth boosted their hopes of retaining Nickey Rackard status with a dramatic derby win over Monaghan in Inniskeen.

Niall Arthur helped Monaghan establish a six-point lead early on, but Darren Geoghegan netted a penalty as Louth cut their deficit to the minimum by the end of the first half. A brace of goals from Conor Murphy moved Louth into the driving seat and they were eight points to the good entering the final quarter. Monaghan stormed back into it, with Kevin Crawley raising a green flag as they got back within a point, but Aaron McGuinness-Smith gave Louth some breathing space again. Leo Moloney hit the game’s sixth major deep into added time to make it a one-point game, but Louth held on for a valuable win.

Lory Meagher Cup

Fermanagh moved out on their own at the top of the group in the Lory Meagher Cup via a six-point win at home to Lancashire.

Eoghan Clifford hit nine first-half points as Lancashire threatened to rip up the form book, leading by 0-18 to 0-14 after a high-scoring 35 minutes. The scores dried up in the second half, however, for the Exiles, as a first win of the campaign slipped away from them, with Brian Teehan notching the only goal to help turn it for Fermanagh. A productive day for Dannan McKeogh and Seán Corrigan helped the leaders retain their unbeaten and leave themselves in pole position to qualify for the final, albeit with a big test to come against Longford next weekend.

Longford ensured that the race for the top two will go down to the wire when they claimed a crucial derby win in Cavan.

Despite Cavan netting the game’s only goal through Cillian Sheanon, a Cian Darcy-inspired Longford side led by 0-12 to 1-5 at the half-way stage. Every time Cavan threatened to turn it around, with Liam O’Brien and Nicky Kenny to the fore, Longford were able to keep their noses in front, more often than not courtesy of Darcy, who ended up with a personal haul of 0-16. Longford were reduced to 14 men on the hour mark, but they got over the line to end Cavan’s unbeaten run and leave just two points separating the top three ahead of the last round.

Leitrim returned to winning ways at home to Warwickshire.

Leitrim led by a single point (0-11 to 0-10) after a first half where Jordon Conway’s accuracy from frees and open play helped keep Warwickshire in touch. Gavin O’Hagan led the scoring charts for Leitrim with 14 points and after Warwickshire had a man sent off late on, the home side finished with a flourish, adding gloss to the scoreline with goals from Seán Markham and Seán O’Riordan.

RESULTS:

Saturday May 11

Christy Ring Cup Round 4

Kildare 2-31 Tyrone 0-11

Derry 2-22 London 2-13

Nickey Rackard Cup Round 4

Donegal 1-25 Roscommon 2-10

Mayo 4-29 Armagh 2-16

Monaghan 2-17 Louth 4-12

Lory Meagher Cup Round 4

Fermanagh 1-23 Lancashire 0-20

Leitrim 2-25 Warwickshire 0-16

Longford 0-25 Cavan 1-19

Sunday May 12

Christy Ring Cup Round 4

Wicklow 2-15 Sligo 1-17