Tyrone and Donegal eyeing upturn in fortunes

By Shaun Casey

IT’S 12 weeks since Donegal and Tyrone faced off in round two of the Division Two National Hurling League, but what bearing will that result have on Saturday’s Christy Ring Cup meeting?

Donegal were 10 points better off that day in Letterkenny but by the end of the campaign, they suffered the exact same fate as their Red Hand rivals as both were ultimately relegated to Division Three for next season.

Neither team’s fortunes have improved much in the championship and both head into this weekend’s clash eyeing up their first victory of the competition, having both tasted defeat in their two opening round ties.

Across their first two outings, Donegal have lost to Derry and Wicklow by a combined five points. The Oakleafers were four points stronger in round one while Wicklow picked up the narrowest of wins at Letterkenny last weekend.

A second-half penalty from Luke White, along with a Wicklow red card, left Donegal in pole position to drive on but they failed to score in the final ten minutes of the game and Wicklow sneaked the two points on offer.

Tyrone also lost to Wicklow on the opening day of the campaign, losing by five in Aughrim, while Meath were 14 points better off when the pair collided in round two down at Trim, so Saturday’s clash will be Tyrone’s first of the Christy Ring Cup on home ground.

The setting is Páirc Colmcille, Carrickmore and Steven McGarry’s side will hope to lay down a marker. They’ve experienced an extremely difficult season and remaining in the Christy Ring Cup will be their main objective over the next few weeks.

Donegal, last year’s Nickey Rackard Cup champions, will have a similar target in mind and if they can pick up two crucial away points here, then they’ll be on their way to achieving that.