Wicklow are just 70 minutes away from qualifying for their second successive Christy Ring Cup final after defeating Derry 1-18 to 2-11 in Arklow this afternoon.

In what was a close game throughout, the home side clinched victory thanks to a late John Connors goal. Despite losing, Derry have qualified for a quarter-final against London next weekend.

First half goals from Brendan Quigley and Patrick McCloskey helped the visitors to a 2-6 to 0-10 lead at half-time, with the accurate Andy O'Brien keeping Wicklow in touch. Casey O'Brien's charges upped the ante after the restart and had levelled the scoring - 0-15 to 2-9 - with just under 20 minutes remaining thanks to points from O'Brien and Jonathan O'Neill.

Eamon Kearns fired the Garden County in front a minute later, only for Derry to grab the next two scores and regain the lead. In a thrilling finale, an O'Neill free edged the hosts into a 0-18 to 2-11 lead with six minutes remaining.

Derry then lost star player Liam Hinphey to a second yellow card and their fate was sealed when Connors netted in the dying moments. Tweet

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