Places in the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups for 2017 are up for grabs in play-offs this Saturday.

By Colm Shalvey

Christy Ring Cup Promotion/Relegation Play-Off

Derry v Mayo, Saturday, Ballinamore, 3.00

A week after winning the Nicky Rackard Cup for the first time, Mayo can secure a swift return to the Christy Ring Cup when they take on Derry in Ballinamore.

Four consecutive wins saw Mayo lift the silverware, as they saw off Tyrone, Armagh and Donegal, before finishing strongly to defeat the Orchard County once again in last Saturday’s final at Croke Park. Just 12 months after reaching the Christy Ring Final, Derry have had a miserable 2016 campaign, with relegation from Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League being followed by championship defeats against Roscommon, Down and Wicklow (the latter coming in the first play-off).

Kenny Feeney’s 1-9 last week took his Nicky Rackard Cup tally to 3-30, while dual star Keith Higgins, Eoghan Collins, Cathal Freeman, and Ger and Joe McManus have also been in fine form for Mayo. Derry have had to deal with the loss of several experienced players this year, increasing their reliance on the likes of Ruairí Convery, Oisín McCloskey, Shane Farren, and Alan Grant.

Nicky Rackard Cup Promotion/Relegation Play-Off

Fermanagh v Louth, Saturday, Athletic Grounds, 1.30

Louth will also be attempting to complete a quick reverse of last year’s relegation when they challenge Fermanagh in Armagh for a place in the Nicky Rackard Cup.

Having been relegated from the third tier for the first time, Louth won all five games in their maiden Lory Meagher Cup appearance. Louth produced a storming finish to deny Sligo in the final at Croke Park last Saturday, 12 months after this weekend’s opponents, Fermanagh, had also beaten the Connacht side in the decider. Fermanagh added more silverware this spring via the Allianz Hurling League Division 3B, but defeats against Monaghan and Donegal ended their Nicky Rackard Cup bid.

Having missed out on league promotion by losing a play-off to Tyrone, Fermanagh then lost a Nicky Rackard play-off against their near neighbours.

Diarmuid Murphy, Liam Dwan, Gerard Smyth, Shane Callan, and Roger Maher are key players for Louth, while Fermanagh will their main marksman Seán Corrigan on top form, along with others like John Duffy, Ryan Bogue, and Declan McGarry.