Kevin Hinphey admits that Derry have "a terrible record" in the Christy Ring Cup.

Having scraped past Mayo in unconvincing fashion at Owenbeg last weekend, the Oak Leaf County are due to face either Kildare or London on Saturday week for a semi-final place. Veteran wing back Hinphey says it's time for the team to step up:

"The Christy Ring is our real championship now," the 33-year-old accepts in The Irish News. "This is what we are building towards all year. We have a terrible record in it.

"We have always gone into it as one of the highest-placed teams in the league. I don't think I have played in a semi-final yet. We need to do something shortly. I don't know how many years I've left, so I hope we can push on this year.

"It's all a bit erratic at the minute. When we are the underdogs and playing against teams that are expected to beat us, we seem to play a lot better. Maybe the favourites' tag doesn't sit too well on us - we'll probably not have to worry about that the next day."

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