Broad support to retain Ring and Rackard Cups

WHILE participation in the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups is causing fixture concerns for some county boards, there remains broad support for the retention of the competitions.

Down, beaten in last year’s Christy Ring final by Westmeath, are back on the glory trail again, and according to county PRO Diarmuid Cahill, are very keen to make amends for their 2005 disappointment.

He explained: “We have only three senior hurling clubs in the county which makes it far easier for us to play as many inter-county games as we can get. In order to get competitive hurling games, our three senior clubs take part in the Antrim County League so any opportunity to play more hurling matches is always welcome by Down.