The Christy Ring Cup: the May 21 semi-final between favourites Antrim and Down provides plenty of intrigue. Leinster rivals Kildare and Meath meet on the other side of the draw, while Derry attempt to save their skin tomorrow when they face Wicklow in a bid to avoid relegation to the Nicky Rackard Cup...
ANTRIM
FOLLOWING a turbulent National League campaign, in the aftermath of which manager PJ O’Mullan stepped aside, Antrim have regrouped under their new management team and are strong favourites to win the Christy Ring Cup. An all-Ulster meeting with Down is up next in the semi-final.
Managers: Terence McNaughton, Neal Peden, Dominic McKinley, Gary O’Kane
Last year’s highlight: A Leinster SHC Qualifier group win over Laois – it was all downhill from there
Disappointed if they don’t: Win the Christy Ring Cup and the Ulster Championship
Main man: Ciaran Clarke
Look out for: James Connolly
KILDARE
BOUNCED back from a heavy defeat to Antrim in Parnell Park on April 23 to defeat Wicklow and, last weekend, stunned London in the quarter-final. With Leinster rivals Meath up next in the semi-final, the Lilywhites will fancy their chances of moving into the June 4 decider at Croke Park.
Manager: Joe Quaid
Skipper: Paul Divilly
Last year’s highlight: Beating Meath in the Christy Ring semi-final
Disappointed if they don’t: Get past Meath and book a spot in the final
Main man: Gerry Keegan
Look out for: Philip Cocoman
DOWN
TOOK a while to get the Division 2B promotion play-off defeat to Armagh out of their system, but looked to be finding form against an improving Roscommon last weekend. Considering the Rossies pushed the Saffrons all the way, Down can take heart from how convincingly – in the second half at least – they dealt with the Connacht men ahead of their semi-final showdown with Antrim on May 21.
Manager: Michael Johnston
Skipper: Stephen Keith
Last year’s highlight: Beating London at Ballycran in the Christy Ring quarter-final
Disappointed if they don’t: Push Antrim all the way on May 21, and possibly cause an upset
Main man: Conor Woods
Look out for: Brook Byers
MEATH
LOOKED set for a mediocre enough campaign after a quiet Division 2B run, in which they finish fourth, behind Nicky Rackard duo Mayo and Armagh. Certainly weren’t fancied to come away from Ruislip with a victory, but they came from two points down at half-time to do so, and they now face a very winnable semi-final against Kildare on May 22.
Manager: Martin Ennis
Skipper: James Toher
Last year’s highlight: Gave eventual winners Kerry a real fright
Disappointed if they don’t: Reach next weekend’s final
Main man: Adam Gannon
Look out for: Ronan Sherlock
LONDON
HEADED to Kildare on Saturday as favourites with the bookies but were unable to justify that tag as they slipped out in a five-point defeat. Will be disappointed by that after a promising League campaign and winning in Down in the opening round. Defeat by Meath left them facing an uphill battle and they could never quite claw London back last weekend.
Manager: Fergus McMahon
Skipper: Kevin Reid
Christy Ring results: Down 2-12 London 2-17; London 1-16 Meath 2-17; Kildare 1-17 London 0-15
ROSCOMMON
ACHIEVED their primary ambitions for the year by climbing out of Division 3A with some powerful performances, and gave early indication of their new weight with a comprehensive dismissal of last year’s finalists Derry in their opener. Pushed Antrim all the way, but just hadn’t the gas to stay with Down in the second half of last Saturday’s quarter-final. A big improvement.
Manager: Justin Campbell
Skipper: Michéal Kelly
Christy Ring results: Roscommon 2-20 Derry 0-15; Antrim 2-14 Roscommon 1-12; Down 1-14 Roscommon 1-7
DERRY
FOLLOWING a raft of retirements heading into the National League, 2016 has proved a difficult year so far for Tom McLean’s men. They lost all their games in Division 2A en route to relegation, swapping places with Armagh, and have had a difficult Christy Ring so far – losing badly to Roscommon before being edged out by Down. Winning their relegation play-off with Wicklow is crucial.
Manager: Tom McLean
Skipper: Sean McCullagh
Last year’s highlight: Reaching the final of the Christy Ring Cup
Disappointed if they don’t: Retain their Christy Ring Cup status
Main man: Ruairi Convery
Look out for: Meehaul McGrath
WICKLOW
DERRY will be wary that Wicklow had a quiet Christy Ring Cup last year but had enough in the tank when it came to it to overcome Mayo and secure their status. Back in the relegation play-off again after defeats by Meath and Kildare.
Manager: Martin Storey
Skipper: Billy Cuddihy
Christy Ring results: Meath 3-18 Wicklow 2-12; Wicklow 0-9 Kildare 0-17
Fixture: Derry v Wicklow (Saturday 21 May, TBC)
