Ring/Meagher round-up: Mayo book final spot, Louth edge out Leitrim

Mayo and Kildare will meet in this year's Christy Ring Cup final after the Connacht side earned a 2-23 to 2-18 win over Derry in Castlebar.

It marks a fine turnaround for Mayo who started the campaign with a 0-11 to 5-26 defeat to Kildare in Ballina.

The opening exchanges were even but Mayo created a bit of daylight thanks to Joe Mooney’s goal and they led 1-07 to 0-05 midway through the first half.

The Ulster side struck back with a goal of their own from John Mullan and the deficit was four at the break as Mayo led 1-12 to 1-08.

Mayo captain Shane Boland, who finished with a dozen points, was keeping Derry at arm’s length with his scores, and when Kenny Feeney put Mayo 2-16 to 1-13 ahead in the 57th minute it looked like it would be Mayo’s day.

The gap remained six points with four minutes remaining, but the visitors struck for 1-02 - Odhran McKeever with their goal – to get within a point.

They wouldn’t score again though and Mayo would tag on four points with Boland and Mooney among their scorers to set up a first-ever Chirsty Ring final appearance.

Kildare will carry a 100% winning record into that Croke Park clash after finally seeing off a stubborn Sligo to earn a 2-23 to 2-14 win in Newbridge.

With the Lilywhites already assured of a final spot, David Herity made a number of changes to his side and that maybe led to their slow start as Andy Kilcullen and Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch put Sligo into an early lead.

Kildare hit eight of the next nine scores though with Mark Delaney’s goal helping them into a 1-07 to 0-03 lead after 20 minutes.

The gap remained seven at the break with Brian Byrne landing a number of long-range frees to give the hosts a 1-12 to 0-08 lead.

Sligo got back into it with a Tomás Cawley goal to open the