Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher round-up

CHRISTY RING CUP

Derry made a good start towards making up for last year's Christy Ring final heartbreak with a 12-point win over Wicklow in the first round of the new six-team group stage.

The Division 2B champions led by just 0-10 to 0-06 at half-time in Celtic Park but had pulled eight clear when Wicklow's Eoin McCormack scored the opening goal of the game.

Fintan Bradley raised a green flag moments later however and Derry went on to win 1-21 to 1-09.

Kildare top the early table however after a 30-point thumping of Mayo in Ballina.

The Lilywhites were just five ahead at the interval - 0-13 to 0-08 - but David Herity's men rattled in goals from Paul Divilly, sub Mark Delaney, Cathal Dowling, Brian Byrne and Jack Sheridan in the second half for a 5-25 to 0-11 win.

On Saturday, Division 2B finalists Sligo were reeled in by a London side playing their first championship game since 2019.

The Yeats County were nine ahead early on and led by 0-15 to 0-10 at half-time but the hosts found their groove in the final quarter to win 0-26 to 0-21 at Ruislip.

NICKY RACKARD CUP

Donegal, the only Rackard team to play in 2B this year, were pushed all the way by 14-man Fermanagh before securing a 1-21 to 1-13 opening-day win in Maguiresbridge.

Fermanagh led by a point - 0-10 to 0-09 - at half-time but had to play the final quarter without Danny Teague after he was shown a second yellow card.

The hosts were still level on the hour mark thanks to goals from Brian Teehan and Barney McAuley (a penalty) but Ronan McDermott's goal in response sent Donegal on the way to victory.

Dan Glynn pic.twitter.com/n0p1Z59tNG

Roscommon fired five goals at the Athletic Grounds to thrash 13-man Armagh 5-19 to 2-07.

Mickey Joe Egan (2), Benny Mulry, Connell Kennelly and