Christy Ring/Nicky Rackard/Lory Meagher Championships 2017

Hammer Archer

This season's lower tier hurling championships start tomorrow!





Despite the fact that they are criminally ignored by most of the main media outlets (including RTE), these championships have provided some of the most exciting games of hurling in recent years, not least last year's Christy Ring final replay which ended in Meath winning their first title against Antrim on a scoreline of 4-21 to 5-17.


Christy Ring Cup - Round 1
Down v Roscommon
Carlow v Antrim
Kildare v Mayo
Wicklow v London

Antrim will most likely be favourites to go one step further than last year having beaten Carlow to promotion to 1B recently. However, along with Carlow, Kildare will surely fancy their chances having just missed out on the 2A final thanks to their narrow loss to Antrim as well as Carlow snatching a last gasp equaliser in Newbridge.
Mayo will be looking to build on their promotion from the Nicky Rackard last year but it wouldn't be a surprise to see a repeat of the 2B relegation playoff between themselves and Roscommon.

Nicky Rackard Cup - Round 1
Louth v Derry
Donegal v Armagh
Monaghan v Tyrone
Longford - BYE

Fingal's withdrawal from intercounty hurling has sort of thrown a spanner in the works. The two teams that should be gunning for promotion are Armagh and Derry. Armagh lost out to Mayo in last year's final while Derry were relegated from the Christy Ring. Armagh having plied their trade in 2A (albeit getting relegated in the process) could swing it for them.
I'm not entirely sure how the relegation works, or indeed if there even is a relegation playoff this year. Louth and Longford look like the weakest two teams in the grade on paper.

Lory Meagher Cup - Round 1
Sligo v Lancashire
Cavan v Warwickshire
Fermanagh v Leitrim

Last year's final was another example of the excitement that these championships provide with Louth coming from 12 down at one stage to beat Sligo 4-15 to 4-11.
The big news is that Cavan are back! For the first time since 2011, Cavan will field a senior hurling team. They last competed in the league where they conceded an average of nearly 40 points per game, ending with a score difference of -157. So it shouldn't be too difficult to better that performance.
But they're up against one of the favourites this year in Warwickshire who have former Antrim forward Liam Watson in their ranks. Sligo will obviously also be there or thereabouts.

OldMrBrennan83

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Hammer Archer

Patww79 wrote: »

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Last year we just avoided a relegation playoff in 2B and ended up winning it. London in Arklow is definitely winnable. Then you've got two chances to make the semi final and anything could happen. A lot depends on the luck of the draw.

krazyklown

Attended the Mayo - Kildare game held in Ballina this afternoon. 0-17 to 0-16 win for the visitors. Good contest, Mayo had their centre back sent off early in the second half and were trailing by three points at the time. Kildare probably had the greater guile, and had a significant physical advantage, but Mayo probably had the greater fight and were more committed to the cause. A feature of the game was the number of 'outside' players playing. Mayo had four Judes players from Dublin starting and Kildare had three in their first fifteen - their wing back - Reidy from Limerick was superb. They also brought on John Mulhall, former All Ireland winner with KK. The lad either doesnt take the thing seriously or is somewhat away with the fairies. Started roaring when the lad that was marking him wouldnt stop moving and at one stage said 'I'm not ****ing running around any more' and seemed to have a verbal exchange with one of his own teammates about who should be the free man. Scored a beautiful point though, but seems to be carrying a few extra pounds.

phkk

krazyklown wrote: »

Attended the Mayo - Kildare game held in Ballina this afternoon. 0-17 to 0-16 win for the visitors. Good contest, Mayo had their centre back sent off early in the second half and were trailing by three points at the time. Kildare probably had the greater guile, and had a significant physical advantage, but Mayo probably had the greater fight and were more committed to the cause. A feature of the game was the number of 'outside' players playing. Mayo had four Judes players from Dublin starting and Kildare had three in their first fifteen - their wing back - Reidy from Limerick was superb. They also brought on John Mulhall, former All Ireland winner with KK. The lad either doesnt take the thing seriously or is somewhat away with the fairies. Started roaring when the lad that was marking him wouldnt stop moving and at one stage said 'I'm not ****ing running around any more' and seemed to have a verbal exchange with one of his own teammates about who should be the free man. Scored a beautiful point though, but seems to be carrying a few extra pounds.

That's John!!

Hammer Archer

Christy Ring results
Down 2-24
Roscommon 1-20

Carlow 2-22
Antrim 3-20 AET

Kildare 0-18
Mayo 0-17

Nicky Rackard results
Louth 1-12
Derry 2-17

Donegal 1-19
Armagh 0-13

Monaghan 0-16
Tyrone 2-11

Lory Meagher results
Sligo 4-14
Lancashire 0-17

Cavan 1-14
Warwickshire 3-28

Fermanagh 5-13
Leitrim 2-21

In the Christy Ring, it's proving to be exceptionally difficult to separate Antrim and Carlow. In the three games this year, there have been two draws in normal time.
Kildare were surprisingly made to sweat against Mayo with Down accounting for Roscommon. Wicklow play London today.

Big surprise in the Nicky Rackard with Donegal easily beating last year's beaten finalist Armagh. Derry easily beat Louth as expected with Tyrone avenging their 3A defeat to Monaghan in February.

No surprises in the Lory Meagher. It was a tough return to senior hurling for Cavan who slumped to a 20 point defeat to Warwickshire. Sligo eased past Lancashire while Fermanagh's goals proved crucial in what looked like a cracker against Leitrim.

Hammer Archer

Good win for Wicklow against London yesterday. Draws for the next rounds of the Christy Ring/Nicky Rackard have been made

Christy Ring Round 2A
Antrim v Down
Kildare v Wicklow

Christy Ring Round 2B
Carlow v Mayo
Roscommon v London

Nicky Rackard Round 2A
Derry v Longford
Tyrone v Donegal

Nicky Rackard Round 2B
Armagh v Louth


Anyone know if there is any relegation in the Nicky Rackard?

OldMrBrennan83

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Hammer Archer

Patww79 wrote: »

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Winners of 2B play losers of 2A in quarter finals. Winners of those two games play winners of 2A in the semi finals. The winners of 2A will be kept apart in the semi finals.

OldMrBrennan83

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PTH2009

why do the GAA rush these comps ??

Expect it to be a Antrim vs Carlow Christy Ring Final.

OldMrBrennan83

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Django99

Patww79 wrote: »

That's a definite. Should be decent though, they always seem to be hard separated.

The could meet in the semi final though if I understand the format correctly? Who would be the next best?

PTH2009

Django99 wrote: »

The could meet in the semi final though if I understand the format correctly? Who would be the next best?

Kildare are suppose to be handy, i think Wiclow played in the Div 2B final this year

Django99

PTH2009 wrote: »

why do the GAA rush these comps ??

Expect it to be a Antrim vs Carlow Christy Ring Final.

I think they play them off quickly so club championships aren't clashing as much. Particularly when football would be the main sport for most of the counties. It's actually a good calendar though, no long wait between matches and everyone knows when they'll be playing.

I'd imagine most of the players and supporters like the format and timing? Apart from the media not giving the competitions any respect there's not a whole lot they get wrong with the organisation looking from the outside.

OldMrBrennan83

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PTH2009

Django99 wrote: »

I think they play them off quickly so club championships aren't clashing as much. Particularly when football would be the main sport for most of the counties. It's actually a good calendar though, no long wait between matches and everyone knows when they'll be playing.

I'd imagine most of the players and supporters like the format and timing? Apart from the media not giving the competitions any respect there's not a whole lot they get wrong with the organisation looking from the outside.

yeah its a pity only the Finals are broadcast

the GAA could set up a weekly youtube show with highlights from the games

Django99

PTH2009 wrote: »

Kildare are suppose to be handy, i think Wiclow played in the Div 2B final this year

I see Kildare have benefited from a few players coming in from other counties, Mulhall from Kilkenny and Reidy from Limerick. These two lads wouldn't be far off the panels on their own counties so are presumably a big boost. Same with Kelly for Kerry.

I'm surprised it doesn't happen more, isn't there a rule allowing players from stronger counties to play for weaker counties? It's surely a win win for everyone involved.

OldMrBrennan83

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arctictree

Winners of the CR go straight into the qualifiers this year and are in the Leinster round robin next year. Thats a big incentive.

PTH2009

arctictree wrote: »

Winners of the CR go straight into the qualifiers this year and are in the Leinster round robin next year. Thats a big incentive.

They will face one of the top 2 leinster round robin teams for a chance of entering round 1 of the qualifiers ???

I imagine who ever finishes 4th in the round robin is relegated too the CR for 2018 ??

Hammer Archer

arctictree wrote: »

Winners of the CR go straight into the qualifiers this year and are in the Leinster round robin next year. Thats a big incentive.

I think that's a load of utter rubbish from the GAA. Basically two teams from Laois, Meath, Kerry, Westmeath (who are in the Leinster Championship) get no route into the qualifiers yet the Christy Ring winners will be playing in the Liam McCarthy after these two teams are knocked out.

CrabRevolution

Hammer Archer wrote: »

I think that's a load of utter rubbish from the GAA. Basically two teams from Laois, Meath, Kerry, Westmeath (who are in the Leinster Championship) get no route into the qualifiers yet the Christy Ring winners will be playing in the Liam McCarthy after these two teams are knocked out.

I remember reading an article when Antrims "Christy Ring winner to enter the same years Leinster championship" motion passed at congress. It explained the 5 or 6 different ways the motion contradicted other laws and rules in place, even laws that had been voted in earlier that same afternoon!

This playoff to enter the qualifiers is the GAAs compromise, which is still ridiculous.

Mushy

Wicklow have just gone and beaten kildare, shock result is say!

arctictree

Mushy wrote: »

Wicklow have just gone and beaten kildare, shock result is say!

Why so? Wicklow and Kildare have a long history of very close hurling championship games.

Hammer Archer

arctictree wrote: »

Why so? Wicklow and Kildare have a long history of very close hurling championship games.

Not recently though. Kildare have been a fair bit ahead in recent years. Would have expected Kildare to come through given they weren't too far behind Antrim and Carlow in the league but fantastic win for Wicklow to make it to the semi final!

Antrim, as expected, easily beat Down to also make the semi final.
Carlow and London had massive wins over Mayo and Roscommon respectively. Mayo and Roscommon will play in the relegation playoff. Carlow and London will play Kildare or Down in the quarter finals.

Christy Ring Round 2A
Antrim 3-15
Down 0-12

Kildare 2-19
Wicklow 3-18

Christy Ring Round 2B
Carlow 5-18
Mayo 2-7

Roscommon 1-9
London 4-24

In the Nicky Rackard, Derry had a massive 28 point win over Longford. Donegal couldn't build on last week's win over Armagh as they were easily beaten by Tyrone. Armagh themselves bounced back with a win over Louth.

Nicky Rackard Round 2A
Derry 8-21
Longford 1-14

Tyrone 4-19
Donegal 0-16

Nicky Rackard Round 2B
Armagh 0-23
Louth 2-9

Lancashire made a bit of history today in winning their first ever Lory Meagher Cup game. They had a surprisingly comfortable win over Fermanagh. Cavan's return to senior hurling is proving difficult after Leitrim eased to an 11 point victory in Carrick on Shannon. Warwickshire had a handy victory at home to Sligo.

Lory Meagher Round 2
Lancashire 2-22
Fermanagh 0-15

Leitrim 1-20
Cavan 0-12

Warwickshire 2-20
Sligo 2-9

cms88

Patww79 wrote: »

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To be fair players cant just join whoever they want. They have to be living/working or have a parent from the county.

There's for and against with it. While it's a good idea to get teams up to a certain level, teams can also become too reliant on them i.e. Kerry.

How committed these players are is another issue. For example Kerry had a few lads from Tipp when they wee in the Christy Ring and they missed games as they played with their clubs in championship games.

Kerrydude1981

Interview with Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi

http://www.the42.ie/zak-moradi-interview-3364909-May2017/

arctictree

Any team that loses their next match in the CR has no more hurling until January. A very sad state of affairs for a game that is best played in high summer.

Hammer Archer

This weekend's fixtures.

Christy Ring Quarter Finals
Saturday 06 May
Kildare v Carlow, Newbridge, 3pm

Sunday 07 May
London v Down, Birmingham, 1pm

Nicky Rackard Quarter Final
Saturday 06 May
Armagh v Longford, Crossmaglen, 3pm
Monaghan v Donegal, Inniskeen, 3pm

Lory Meagher Round 3
Leitrim v Lancashire, Carrick-on-Shannon, 1:15pm
Cavan v Sligo, Breffni Park, 2pm
Fermanagh v Warwickshire, Enniskillen, 2pm

Kildare and Carlow would both have fancied their chances of making the Christy Ring final but one of these teams will be out by tomorrow evening (unless it's a draw of course). London would be expected to build on their easy victory against Roscommon by beating Down in Birmingham.

Armagh will be massive favourites against Longford while Donegal v Monaghan is likely to be very close.

In the Lory Meagher, only Warwickshire have a 100% record. Sligo and Leitrim will fancy their chances of keeping pace with them.

PTH2009

Christy Ring QF
Kildare 0-15- Carlow 1-24

Nicky Rackard QF
Armagh 4-20- Longford 0-12
Monaghan 1-16- Donegal 1-12

Lory Meagher R3
Cavan 0-09- Sligo 1-23
Fermanagh 3-9- Warwickshire 6-16
Leitrim 1-12- Lancashire 0-14

CrabRevolution

Donegal must have played the game of their lives vs Armagh, I'm very surprised they lost to Tyrone and Monaghan.

Kerrydude1981

Kildare will be disappointed,they started the year well just missed out on a league final but have slipped back a bit since then.

Hammer Archer

Liam Watson got 3-9 for Warwickshire today. He got 2-7 in his first game (not sure what he got against Sligo). Looks like he's going to win the Lory Meagher on his own.

feargale

Could I have clarification please. Did Sligo score 1-20 or 1-23 against Cavan? There are conflicting reports.

Hammar

feargale wrote: »

Could I have clarification please. Did Sligo score 1-20 or 1-23 against Cavan? There are conflicting reports.

1-20 according to the Cavan GAA twitter account feargale.

krazyklown

I see a report on Hoganstand.com that Kildare were 'depleted' as the two Reidys and John Mulhall were hurling with their clubs. This is the big problem with 'outside' players - inevitably, their allegiance will be to their home parish. This really needs rethinking as a competition can be severely imbalanced - from Mayos point of view, they might justifiably feel they might have beaten the Kildare team that lined out yesterday in the first round - Carlow, by the sounds of things had a handy enough run out. This could be also an advantage in a tight programme of matches, if one team has are not pushed to their limits, it means they might be fresher than a team that had a tough hard fought game if they meet in a game the following weekend. Although that can happen irrespective of the outside player rule.

Also i see there was Kildare football club action this weekend - on the kildare GAA thread, some guys played in both games the same day.

PTH2009

Christy Ring QF
Down 2-19- London 0-19

Remaining Fixtures

Sat 13th May
Lory Meagher Cup round 4
Lancashire v Cavan, Old Bedians, Manchester, TBC
Warwickshire v Leitrim, Páirc na hÉireann, 1pm
Sligo v Fermanagh, Markievicz Park, 3pm

http://www.gaa.ie/hurling/lory-meagher/tables

Sat 20th May
Christy Ring Cup semi-finals
Antrim or Wicklow v Down or Carlow, TBC TBC
Antrim or Wicklow v Down or Carlow, TBC TBC

Christy Ring Cup relegation play-off
Mayo v Roscommon, TBC, TBC

Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals
Tyrone v Armagh, TBC, TBC
Derry v Monaghan, TBC, TBC

Lory Meagher Cup round 5
Lancashire v Warwickshire, Old Bedians, Manchester, 3pm
Fermanagh v Cavan, Brewster Park, 3pm
Leitrim v Sligo, Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, 3pm

Sat 10th June
Christy Ring Cup final
Semi-final winner v semi-final winner, Croke Park

Nicky Rackard Cup final
Semi-final winner v semi-final winner, Croke Park

Lory Meagher Cup final
1st placed team v 2nd placed team, Croke Park

Kerrydude1981

krazyklown wrote: »

I see a report on Hoganstand.com that Kildare were 'depleted' as the two Reidys and John Mulhall were hurling with their clubs. This is the big problem with 'outside' players - inevitably, their allegiance will be to their home parish. This really needs rethinking as a competition can be severely imbalanced - from Mayos point of view, they might justifiably feel they might have beaten the Kildare team that lined out yesterday in the first round - Carlow, by the sounds of things had a handy enough run out. This could be also an advantage in a tight programme of matches, if one team has are not pushed to their limits, it means they might be fresher than a team that had a tough hard fought game if they meet in a game the following weekend. Although that can happen irrespective of the outside player rule.

Also i see there was Kildare football club action this weekend - on the kildare GAA thread, some guys played in both games the same day.

Thats something we got caught with a few years back for a promotion/relegation play off,we were short the "outside" players,we went through a phase with them but thankfully we only have one now and he is probably the best one that transferred to us tbh,

As for the football,that craic happens down here as well,players have had to play hurling for Kerry and then play football for their clubs after on the same day,last week the hurlers played Westmeath on Sunday and then five of the panel had to play club football championship games on the Monday,county board wouldnt call off the games or put them back,

PTH2009

expect the finals too be

Christy Ring
Antrim vs Carlow (if they dont draw each other in the semis)

Nicky Rackard
Armagh vs Derry

Lory Meagher
Warwickshire vs Sligo

i always laugh at the TG4 guys for the finals who clearly have no idea who most of the players are

OldMrBrennan83

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PTH2009

Christy Ring semi draw
Antrim vs Down
Wiclow vs Carlow

OldMrBrennan83

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Hammer Archer

I find it ridiculous that Wicklow don't get home advantage despite winning both their games so far.

arctictree

Wicklow have been underestimated by most this year. This one may be a bridge too far though. Carlow are probably a step up and at the same level as Antrim and Meath.

Stevecw

Hammer Archer wrote: »

I find it ridiculous that Wicklow don't get home advantage despite winning both their games so far.

Even as a Carlow man, i agree completely. They have won both their games, so should have home advantage.

Ok we were unlucky to draw Antrim 1st day out, but we still lost after extra time. So should not have home advantage over a side that has won through the direct route.

Kerrydude1981

When did they change this rule,I remember we had home advantage for semi finals but then again I remember we had to go to Nenagh for a semi final against Wicklow as well

Seems like they make it up as they go along

CrabRevolution

In 2009 it was neutral venues for the quarter finals, then the unbeaten team got home advantage in the semi finals.
In 2010 it changed to neutral venues for the QFs and SFs.

From 2011 till 2013 there was a draw for home advantage in the QF, and home advantage in the SF went to the undefeated team. (Well, either that or it was a draw for home advantage and the 2A winner won every time for 6 draws in a row, which seems unlikely). Then for some reason in 2014 the semi finals changed to a draw for home advantage.

In 2014 Kerry won their 2 games but played their semi final in Castlebar.
In 2015 Kerry won their 2 games but played their semi final in Newbridge.
In 2016 Meath won their 2 games but played their semi final in Newbridge.

If it's any consolation, in the 3 games so far where the undefeated team played away, they've won their semi final!

Hammer Archer

Cavan got their first win since returning to intercounty action after beating Fermanagh 4-17 to 0-17.

Hammer Archer

And Leitrim make the Lory Meagher Cup final after beating Sligo in a winner takes all match.
First time since 1994 that a Leitrim team will appear in Croke Park I think it's their hurlers' first ever national final appearance.

PTH2009

Lory Meagher Cup Round 5
Fermanagh 0-17 Cavan 4-17
Lancashire 1-10 Warwickshire 1-15
Leitrim 3-15 Sligo 3-08

Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals
Tyrone 1-14 Armagh 2-25, 3pm

Christy Ring Cup semi-finals
Carlow 0-23 Wicklow 2-08

lory meagher cup final is Warwickshire vs Leitrim

Christy Ring semi- Antrim vs Down 5pm
Nicky Rackard semi- Monaghan vs Derry 5pm