Beeen a bit slow with the stats updates this week.  However finally got the four hurling competitions (Liam McCarthy, Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher) up to date last night.

In the Liam McCarthy cup. Anthony Daly got his championship managerial career with Dublin off to a winning start with a 10 point win over Antrim.  Alan McCrabbe and David O’Callaghan contributed 1-9 and 1-3 respectively.

The draw for the Leinster semi-finals was made and it sees 4-in-a-row chasing Kilkenny play Leinster newbies Galway in Tullamore on Saturday evening of the 20th of June.  The next day Dublin play their Leinster nemesis Wexford in Nowlan Park.  Dublin have lost to Wexford in the championship for two consecutive years now so it will be a good measure of their progress under Daly if they manage to win this and advance to the Leinster final.

The Christy Ring Cup is nearing its conclusion.  Down are in the final having defeated Mayo in the semi-final.  In the other semi, Kerry drew with Carlow after extra-time.  The replay is next weekend with Kerry having home advantage.

The Nicky Rackard Cup has completed round one.  The defending champions Sligo lost heavily to Meath who were demoted from the Christy Ring last year.  London, Roscommon and Louth also won.

Finally the new Lory Meagher Cup is also under way.  Round one saw victories for Longford, Donegal, Leitrim and South Down.

In my list of championship debutantes last week, I omitted Tipperary’s Padraic Maher. The Dublin v Antrim match had 7 newcomers:

Dublin (4)
Oisin Gough
Shane Durkan
Liam Rushe
David Treacy

Antrim (3)
Kevin McGourty
Neil McGarry
CJ McGourty