Christy Ring Cup Round-Up

There were wins for Westmeath, Derry, Carlow and Mayo in Saturday’s Christy Ring quarter-final games.

Westmeath 2-22 Kildare 3-13

Westmeath’s bid for a third Christy Ring Cup in four seasons continues after they outgunned Kildare at St Conleth’s Park.

The defending champions had to survive a gallant second-half comeback by the home side, who reduced a 10-point interval deficit to two, just seven minutes after the restart.

Two blockbuster finishes to the roof of the Westmeath net from the excellent Oisín Lynch and Adrian McAndrew brought Andy Comerford’s side right back into the game but they could never get closer enough to their opponents.

Westmeath survived an early scare when having a penalty awarded against them in the opening minute for a foul on McAndrew but full-back Paul Greville stopped David Harney’s shot.

The Maroons were much the slicker outfit in that opening period however, making full use of the let-off with Paddy Dowdall goaling four minutes later following a powerful surge through the middle by Brendan Murtagh.

Murtagh was the commanding figure of the game and as well as that assist, he contributed six points in the first half, split evenly between scores from play and frees, and then added five more in the second.

When Andrew Mitchell drove low to the Kildare net having pounced on a break from Mark Briody’s puckout, Johnny Dooley’s men were 10 points clear but the Lilies responded immediately, Tony Murphy scrambling home after Briody’s point-blank save from Kildare’s chief scoring threat Oisín Lynch.

Westmeath still led 2-13 to 1-6 at the change of ends and though Kildare had the benefit of a reasonably strong wind in the second period, one didn’t hold out much hope for a fight back.

The two goals made a real game of it but the hosts could not make any further ground however, with Murtagh’s accuracy from frees leaving just enough breathing space between the sides before a late flurry of points from Murtagh, Pat Clarke and John Shaw finished proceedings.

That surge probably resulted from the sendings off in the final minutes of Kildare duo Paudie Reidy (straight red) and Kieran Divilly (second yellow) as the Lilywhites finally ran out of puff.

Westmeath: M Briody; G Gavin, P Greville, A Price; C Jordan, D McCormack 0-1, B Connaughton; L Smyth, P Clarke 0-3; E Price 0-1, B Murtagh 0-11(6fs), A Mitchell 1-1; D McNicholas 0-2, P Dowdall 1-1, J Shaw 0-1.
Subs: R Jackson 0-1 for Jordan (46); B Smyth for Connaughton (57)

Kildare: P Dermody; P Reidy, D Ryan, J Doran; D Harney, D Kennedy, C Everard; C Buggy, R Hoban 0-1; T Murphy 1-2, M Moloney 0-2, T Byrne; A McAndrew 1-0, P Divilly 0-1, O Lynch 1-7(6fs).
Subs: K Divilly for Buggy (29); D Shinnors for Ryan (44); M Divilly for Hoban (63)

Referee: J Owens (Wexford)

Wides: Wmth 12 Kil 10 FREES: Wmth 14 Kil 13 YELLOW CARDS: Wmth 3 Kil 6

Red Cards: Wmth 0 Kil 2

Down 0-18 Derry 1-20

The Oak Leafers embarrassed Down on their home patch with a five-point win in their Christy Ring Cup quarter-final game in Páirc Esler in Newry.

Paddy McCloskey’s first-half goal set the tone for the afternoon as Derry dominated the opening period to assume a four-point lead at the interval.

While the Ardsmen put up more resistance in the second-half, it was their Ulster rivals who continued to excel with Michael Kirkpatrick particularly impressive up front.

The Ulster finalists will be greatly disappointed with their display after many felt they had cemented their position as the second best side in the province but Derry showed no signs of inferiority as they secured their spot in the last four of the competition.

Kerry 2-4 Carlow 1-14

The visitors started the strongest, racing ahead to open up a six point lead (0-9 to 0-3) at half-time in Tralee.

As the game progressed the goals began to flow for both sides with Kerry bagging two to Carlow’s one.

However, the men from the Kingdom struggled to score as freely as their Leinster counterparts and ultimately Carlow had enough firepower to see them through to the semi-final.

Wicklow 1-22 Mayo 3-18

Mayo finally prevailed in this gripping quarter-final encounter in Aughrim.

Spectators were treated to 90 minutes of championship hurling after the sides were deadlocked 1-16 to 2-13 after the first 70.

However, it was Mayo who adapted to the extra-time situation scoring another crucial goal against a tiring Garden County defence.

The Connacht men had been doubted by many before the game following their indifferent form during the group stages but the rallied together to claim the final spot in the last four of the competition.