Shea Cassidy of Derry during the Allianz Hurling League Division 2 match between Kerry and Derry at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.
The 2025 Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups get underway this weekend.
Christy Ring Cup
All three first-round games in the Christy Ring Cup are down for decision on Saturday.
Meath begin their bid for a fourth Christy Ring title by welcoming London to Trim.
Meath, who dropped back down from the Joe McDonagh Cup last year, finished in mid-table in the Allianz Hurling League Division II, while London reached the Division III final, where they fell short against Mayo.
Jack Regan (who hit 2-62 during the league), Nicky Potterton, Joey Cole and Dáire Shine should play key roles for Johnny Greville’s Meath side, while David Devine has been in prolific form for London, supported by Seán Glynn and Paul Kennedy. The Exiles have had to fend without Jack Goulding, who was the 2024 Christy Ring Player of the Yer after hitting 5-50 in five games.
Tyrone make the journey to Aughrim to take on Wicklow.
These counties will both be trying to establish themselves at Christy Ring level, having been promoted via Christy Ring victories in 2022 (Tyrone) and 2023 (Wicklow). Tyrone endured a difficult league in being relegated from Division II, while Wicklow’s promotion bid from Division III ended in the last round.
Aidy Kelly is the main marksman for Tyrone, who will also need Tiernan Morgan and Michael Little on song. Wicklow will be looking to Seánie Germaine and Pádraig Doyle to continue their free-scoring form.
The round concludes with an Ulster derby between Derry and Donegal.
Perennial challengers Derry have been in three of the last four Christy Ring finals and they retained their Division II status in the Allianz Hurling League by winning three games, including a comprehensive result against Saturday’s opponents last month. Fresh from their fourth Nickey Rackard title last season, Donegal’s loss to their neighbours was out of kilter with a league campaign which featured some very competitive performances, not least their win over Kerry and a narrow loss to Meath.
Former Antrim hurler Christy McNaughton has starred in his first season with Derry, who should also be able to call on the likes of Cormac O’Doherty, Mark Craig and Shea Cassidy. Donegal have their own threats up front in Gerard Gilmore, Liam McKinney and Conor Gartland, while the long-serving Danny Cullen can still help make them tick.
Shane Boland of Mayo during the Allianz Hurling League Division 3 final match between London and Mayo at Manguard Park in Newbridge, Kildare. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile.
Nickey Rackard Cup
The opening day of the Nickey Rackard Cup includes an all-Connacht clash of Mayo v Roscommon.
Both counties are former winners of this competition, with Mayo having contested three finals since 2020, most recently when losing to Donegal last June. 12 wins from their last 13 league games have seen Mayo lift back-to-back titles and secure promotion to Division II, while Roscommon finished fourth in Division III.
Mayo had three of the division’s highest scorers in Shane Boland (2-42), Liam Lavin (4-28) and Cormac Phillips (4-25), while David and Seán Kenny should also be to the fore. Roscommon will need big displays from Robbie Fallon, Brendan and Conor Mulry and Cathal Kenny.
Markievicz Park is the venue for Sligo v Louth.
Sligo return to Nickey Rackard level for the first time since their 2019 success, but they will have to regroup from a winless run in the league. These teams will effectively swap places for the 2026 league, with Louth going up to Division III and Sligo heading in the opposite direction.
Darren Geoghegan was the runaway leader of the Division IV scoring charts on 66 points, with Peter Fortune and Offaly natives Conor Clancy and Leon Fox also contributing well as Trevor Hilliard’s men claimed silverware. Sligo will hope that Andrew Kilcullen, Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch and Conor Hanniffy can help get them back to winning ways.
Sunday sees Armagh travel cross Ulster to face Fermanagh in Enniskillen.
Armagh have reached more Nickey Rackard finals than anyone else, winning two of their seven appearances at that stage, while Fermanagh won their third Lory Meagher title last year. Armagh did just enough to preserve their Allianz Hurling League Division III status, while Fermanagh will join them in that tier next spring after finishing as runners-up in Division IV.
Both teams look set to be missing key men on Sunday: Fermanagh’s Brian Teehan and Armagh’s top scorer Shea Harvey. Ryan Bogue, Seán Corrigan and John Duffy can step up for Fermanagh, as can Pauric McNaughton and Charlie McArdle for Armagh.
Shane Boland of Mayo during the Allianz Hurling League Division 3 final match between London and Mayo at Manguard Park in Newbridge, Kildare. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Lory Meagher Cup
Lancashire and Longford get the Lory Meagher Cup underway on Saturday.
Two-time Lory Meagher winners Longford have been in two of the last three finals, with Lancashire reaching the decider in between in 2023. Tipperary man Diarmuid Cahill took the reins of Longford earlier this year, but another Tipp native, Cian Darcy, who was the 2024 Lory Meagher Player of the Year, hasn’t featured this season, increasing their reliance on Reuben Murray, Evan Tully and Martin Farrell. Eoghan Clifford, Pádraic Burke and Shane O’Boyle could lead Lancashire’s challenge.
2023 champions Monaghan host 2019 winners Leitrim in Inniskeen.
Monaghan, who dropped down from the Nickey Rackard Cup last year, had a disappointing league, including a five-point loss to Saturday’s opponents, who faded out of the promotion race in the last two rounds.
Dublin-based duo Joe Murray and Philip Burgess add significantly to Leitrim’s options under Mike Wall, who has championship-winning pedigree in his native Kilkenny, while veteran Clement Cunniffe continues to soldier on in goals. Niall Arthur, Niall Garland and James Slevin should play central roles for Monaghan.
Warwickshire welcome Cavan to Páirc na hÉireann on Sunday.
Warwickshire struggled to make much impact in the league, although they ended their winless streak in emphatic style against Leitrim in the final round. Despite being relegated from Division III of the league, Cavan could take heart from their competitive performances. The Breffni County – who fell just short of the Lory Meagher final in each of the last two years – enjoyed wins over Sligo and Wicklow, while also competing well in most games.
Cavan manager Ollie Bellew can call on his fellow Antrim man Éamon Óg McAllister, as well as prolific Waterford native Liam O’Brien and Kilkenny duo Canice Maher and Nicky Kenny. Warwickshire will be depending on Jack Grealish, Luke Hands, Ian Dwyer and Miley Connors.
FIXTURES
Saturday, April 12
Christy Ring Cup Round 1
Meath v London, Trim, 1pm
Wicklow v Tyrone, Aughrim, 1pm
Derry v Donegal, Celtic Park, 3pm
Nickey Rackard Cup Round 1
Mayo v Roscommon, Castlebar, 3pm
Sligo v Louth, Markievicz Park, 3pm
Lory Meagher Cup Round 1
Lancashire v Longford, Abbottstown, 2pm
Monaghan v Leitrim, Inniskeen, 3pm
Sunday, April 13
Nickey Rackard Cup Round 1
Fermanagh v Armagh, Enniskillen, 2pm
Lory Meagher Cup Round 1
Warwickshire v Cavan, Páirc na hÉireann, 12.30pm
