Christy Ring Cup semi-final line-up decided

The hurlers of Down will take on Carlow in next Saturday’s Christy Ring Cup semi-finals after a 2-17 to 1-13 victory in their final Group 2A game at Ruislip this afternoon.

The Mourne men secured top spot in their group as Ballygalget corner forward Stephen Clarke rammed home a brace of second-half goals.

The Exiles had done well to end the first half level at 0-09 apiece, but points from Brendan McGourty and Paul Braniff, allied to Clarke’s strikes, helped maintain Down’s 100% record.

The other semi-final will see Antrim, who were idle this weekend, clash with Group 2B winners Kildare. Ben Dorney’s Lilywhites side belittled the bookmakers who had them priced at 7/1 to finish top of their group.

They claimed their fourth successive win against Carlow last Saturday to progress.

Today saw Kerry slump to their fourth defeat on the trot as Carlow emerged as the second-placed team in Group 2B with a 1-22 to 3-11 triumph at Dr. Cullen Park.

Two points from Pat Coady and one from Paul Kehoe saw the Barrowsiders move into a 0-03 to 0-01 lead before Brendan Lawler scrambled home their goal.

Kerry skipper Michael Conway managed a goal of his own before the break to shore the gap up to 1-11 to 1-06. Carlow, with Coady in magnificent form, were operating at a different level however, and they pulled away in the second half.

Two goals at the death for a disjointed Kerry put an admittedly flattering gloss on the score line. Abbeydorney clubman Ivan McCarthy delivered in a ‘65’ for Andrew Keane to bat home. McCarthy also swept a close range free to the Carlow net in the dying seconds.

Kerry now face Roscommon, who finished bottom of Group 2A, in a Relegation play-off. The Rossies proved no match for Meath, who ran out 2-21 to 2-08 winners in Navan in their final outing. In Ballina, Mayo held firm for a 3-09 to 2-10 win against Wicklow in Group 2B’s other tie.