Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups updates
July 13, 2005
Although there is still one round of games remaining in the Christy Ring Cup, three of the semi-finalists are already known - Down, Kildare and Carlow. Either Westmeath or Meath will fill the remaining spot at the weekend.
One of the most defining results of the competition arrived at the weekend when Kerry drew with Wicklow. Kerry had to win to remain in the competition but a Wayne O Gorman goal for Wicklow late in the second-half proved crucial.
A win for Kerry would have turned their clash with Carlow on Saturday into a real shootout and would have left Kildare also sweating due to scoring difference. That, however, is immaterial now but Carlow will still be keen to top the group.
With the way other results have gone in Group A, Down are mathematically already in the semi-finals due to their massive scoring difference. Westmeath, however, will more than likely have to defeat Down on Saturday to make sure of qualification.
Meath will also probably have to beat Roscommon to ensure their semi-final spot but even if both teams lose, qualification will be decided by scoring difference. At the moment though, Meath appear odds on favorites to secure the last remaining semi-final spot.
Meanwhile, results went to form in the concluding group stages of the Nicky Rackard Cup at the weekend when three of the four semi-finalists were decided. Donegal, Louth and London each won their third game in succession to finish top of their respective groups and guarantee qualification.
They will be joined by either Armagh or Tyrone who now play off in a quarter-final clash on July 24. Both sides were very impressive at the weekend and still have a lot to play for in this competition.
Armagh were unlucky to go down by two points to Louth in a real local derby match played in Keady. David Dunne and Gerard Smith goals proved crucial for the winners who just held out for the win.
Donegal maintained their good form with a 25 point win over Fermanagh, while in the same group, Tyrone and Sligo were effectively playing off for a place in the quarter-final when they clashed in Carrickmore. In the end, Tyrone had five points to spare, when two Aidan Taggart goals proved decisive.
In Group C, London lived up their billing as favorites for the competition when they defeated Warwickshire on a scoreline of 1-23 to 1-6.
The semi-finals line-ups will now be decided by open-draw but teams from the same groups will be kept apart. Both semi-finals will be played on August 6.
SCORING SNIPPETS FROM NICKY RACKARD CUP
The top scorer to date in the Nicky Rackard Cup is Gerard Smith from Louth. Smith has hit 2-19 in three games and he has been excellent in all of Louth s three wins. He hit 1-7 against Leitrim, 0-9 against Louth and he chipped in with a crucial 1-3 at the weekend against Armagh. His average scoring ratio is 0-8 per game.
The highest scoring tally posted in one match was Armagh s 9-17 against Leitrim. That really drove up their scoring total but along with Armagh, Louth are joint-second highest scorers in the competition with a massive tally of 9-51 from three games - an average ratio of 3-17 per game. Indeed, even more notable is Louth s spread of scoring talent. Nine different players have scored in three matches and the bulk of the scoring hasn t been left to Gerard Smith - David Dunne hit three goals against Cavan, while Aidan Carter hit 2-1 against Leitrim.
The top scorer from play in the Nicky Rackard Cup is Niall Campbell from Donegal with a tally of 3-10. Campbell has been in blistering form all season and he also hit four points from frees to bring his final tally up to 3-14. He has been playing in a lethal full-forward line as well - Campbell, Danny Cullen and Mickey McCann accounted for 4-11 of the team s total of 6-18 between them against Fermanagh at the weekend, all of which were from play. Indeed, Donegal are the highest scoring team in the competition, having amassed a massive 14-44 in just three matches.
Form has held true to date in the Rackard Cup, not just in scoring terms but in the manner of defensive play as well. Donegal have the best defensive record of the 12 teams with a concession rate of just 0-12. Louth have been conceding just an average of 0-13 while both London and Armagh have conceded an average of 0-14 per game. With Armagh favored to make it to the last four and with so little between all four teams, the semi-finals are sure to provide great entertainment. Especially with a final place up for grabs in Croke Park to be played before a packed house.
This Weekends Fixtures:
Saturday, July 16th
Nicky Rackard Cup Quarter Final Play Off
Kingspan Breffini Park
Longford v Armagh (5.15)
Christy Ring Cup Round 5
Group 2A
Newry
Down v Westmeath (5pm)
Athleague
Roscommon v Meath (5pm)
Group 2B
Tralee
Kerry v Carlow (3.30)
Arklow
Wicklow v Mayo (3.30)
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