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The Mayo Senior Hurlers find themselves in a do-or-die situation
on Saturday next as they face Derry in the Christy Ring Cup Tier
Two Relegation final. With the losers of this tie doomed to ply
their trade in the Nicky Rackard Cup in 2006, a massive effort will
be required from the Mayo lads if they are to end the year on a
high note.
Mayo find themselves in this position after loses to Carlow, Kildare,
Kerry and Wicklow in the group stages, before then going down to
a late Roscommon winner in the Relegation Semi Final recently. Derry,
who have also been defeated this year by Down, Roscommon and Westmeath
did however muster a share of the spoils with Meath. They subsequently
lost their Relegation Semi to Wicklow and now find themselves at
the brink of the drop.
The last time these sides met was in a similar situation in a NHL
Division 2 Relegation battle in April 2004 in Gulladuff (Lavey).
On that day, Derry recorded a 1-11 to 0-13 win to hold onto their
Division 2 status. Mayo were subsequently relegated from Division
2 but have bounced back up after a NHL Division 3 Final defeat of
Donegal earlier this season.
Mayo will be boosted by the return of dual star Keith Higgins to
action after a recent elbow injury. Also on the recovery list is
his Ballyhaunis clubmate Derek McConn. Both will prove massive additions
on the Mayo starting sheet and will be expected to boost Mayo's
scoring threat also. Paddy Barrett (Belmullet) is also expected
to return to action after a recent lay-off with a thumb injury.
If Mayo are successful in this encounter, it will create an ideal
platform for the development of the Senior team. With a young team
and good underage talent coming through the ranks, Mayo need to
be playing at this higher standard for progression, while a drop
to the Rackard Cup will be a major setback for all concerned.
Down play Westmeath in the Christy Ring Final in Croke Park this
Sunday as a curtain raiser to the Clare-Cork All-Ireland Semi Final,
while the following Sunday, Louth play London in the Nicky Rackard
Cup Final at the same venue as a curtain raiser to the Galway-Kilkenny
Senior Semi Final.
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