Carlow in tough group for Christy Ring Cup

Eoin Garvey's Carlow hurlers, beaten finalists in last year's competition, have been drawn in a tough Group 2B for the 2007 Christy Ring Cup.

Wed, 16 May, 2007 - 13:31

Eoin Garvey's Carlow hurlers, beaten finalists in last year's competition, have been drawn in a tough Group 2B for the 2007 Christy Ring Cup.

Carlow have Kildare, Wicklow, London and Derry for company in Group 2B.

Wicklow, who recently reached the NHL Division Two final, could pose the biggest threat, while Derry, who squeezed past Armagh in the Ulster championship last weekend, finished third in Division 2A this season, two places above Carlow.

London failed to win a league match in 2007 but despite missing many of their first choice players, the Exiles gained some respectability when scoring three goals in their Ulster SHC defeat to Antrim last Sunday.

Antrim, who won last year's Christy Ring Cup final, beating Carlow 5-13 to 1-7 at Croke Park, are not competing in the Ring Cup this summer.

Meanwhile, Kildare and Down, who lost in the 2006 semi-finals, will be hoping to go one step further this summer.

Down, who face Derry in an Ulster SHC semi-final this weekend, have been drawn with Mayo, Meath, Westmeath and Kerry in the Ring Cup's Group 2A.

League form would suggest that Westmeath, who topped Division 2B, will be the team pressing Down in that group.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals which will take place on July 21.

The final has been pencilled in for August 5.

2007 CHRISTY RING CUP SH TOURNAMENT -

Group 2A:

Kerry, Mayo, Meath, Westmeath, Down

Group 2B:

Carlow, Kildare, Wicklow, London, Derry

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