By Alan Rodgers

JOE MCDONAGH CUP ROUND TWO

Down v Meath

Saturday, Ballycran, 3pm

A GOOD National League campaign had raised hopes within Down that they would be able to consolidate that advantage with a strong run in the Joe McDonagh Cup.

But the reality proved somewhat different when they fell to a fairly comprehensive defeat against a Kerry team which has won the competition in recent years and will now be favourites to reach the decider for a second consecutive year.

For, Down, there’s a shot at redemption this weekend against Meath and nothing less than a victory in this one will suffice.

The nature of the tiered hurling championships means that there’s precious little room for error.

If Down do win against Meath, then they’ll also need the Royal county to do them a favour by getting a result when they host Kerry the following week.

Past experience and the realities of hurling in the second tier mean that the odds are now stacked against the Mourne county. But they must do what has to be done and that’s starting with a win over their Royal opponents in this one.

CHRISTY RING CUP

Derry v Roscommon

Saturday, Dr Hyde Park, 3pm

Both counties compete din Division 2B of the recently completed National League and all the indications are that Derry should hold the upper hand in this one, especially considering their form in the spring.

Of course, there will be no complacency among the Oak Leaf players or management as they prepare for this one.

Home advantage for the Rossies and their opening-day defeat to Wicklow last weekend mean that they will be well aware of the need for an impressive and urgent response.

Nevertheless, Derry, who are in their first outing, will know only too well the importance of this once. It was them who won by 1-26 to 0-14 when the teams met in the league a few weeks ago and more of the same would do nicely for them on this occasion.

In addition, while Roscommon finished bottom of the table, Derry’s four points was sufficient to take them into second place.

Championship hurling is different, but Derry’s early season form and their traditional ability to compete at a higher level than their opponents suggests a winning debut in the 2021 Christy Ring Cup.

NICKEY RACKARD CUP

Armagh v Tyrone

Saturday, Athletic Grounds, 1.30pm

For many in Ulster, this may well rank as the game of the day and trying to forecast a winner is going to be extremely difficult considering the closeness of the ties between them in recent years.

Last season, the two met in a league clash to decide who would reach the final. Armagh progressed in that one, thanks to results elsewhere and score difference.

This will be their second meeting of 2021 to date, and comes just a fortnight after they met in the National League. There was nothing at stake on that occasion except pride, but the tie still produced an entertaining and high scoring contest.

Armagh won with three points to spare, and Tyrone will be anxious to overcome that result this time around. Whoever wins will progress to the semi-finals and have a much more straightforward run.

The likelihood is that Armagh will fancy their chances of making home advantage count at the Athletic Grounds, but Tyrone, under new manager, Michael McShane, will no doubt jhave plenty to say before the result is decided.

LORY MEAGHER CUP

Louth v Monaghan

Saturday, Darver, 7pm

A home defeat to Tyrone in Clontibret last autumn condemned Monaghan to the Lory Meagher Cup by a narrow margin. But the Farney men are a strong outfit, seasoned in the pressures of the Nickey Rackard and will be determined to win promotion again without delay.

Monaghan enjoyed a league campaign of mixed fortunes. There was a narrow defeat to Tyrone and a more comprehensive nine point loss to Armagh. But they secured survival with a win over Longford and came close to defeating an experienced and already-promoted Sligo side.

That experience should stand to them against Louth and they will again look to the likes of Feargal Rafter, Niall Garland and Stephen Lambe.

Success at this level is well within their capabilities and reach, but they must also guard against complacency.

LORY MEAGHER CUP

Cavan v Fermanagh

Sunday, Breffni Park, 1.30pm

Cavan’s rise through the hurling ranks has been both impressive and encouraging. A few years ago the county side was effectively disbanded, but that acted as a wake-up call and they are now competing well. This game against Fermanagh offers them another chance to make their mark. Both counties finished level on points in Division 3B of the National League, and the game between them offers scant clear evidence of how this championship clash might evolve.

On May 16 last the teams finished level on a score of 1-19 to 2-16. However, Fermanagh’s bid to win the Lory Meagher again means that they may well edge this one.

They reached the final in 2020 and will be aiming to go one better this year. A win here would certainly be a big help in that quest.