Last year's beaten finalists Derry walloped Wicklow 1-21 to 1-9 in this afternoon's Christy Ring Cup opener at Celtic Park.

Having won all their games in the league on the way to the Division 2B title, the Oak Leafers carried that form into the championship as they upped the ante considerably in the second-half to see off the Garden County by twelve points in the end.

The hosts led 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time, with top scorer Cormac O'Doherty's four pointed frees the difference between the teams at the midway stage and they doubled their advantage on the restart.

Wicklow gave themselves a glimmer of hope in the 50th minute when Eoin McCormack crashed home the game's opening goal but that was cancelled out by Fintan Bradley moments later.

Kildare also got their championship campaign off to the best possible start as they notched five second-half goals en-route to a commanding 30-point victory (5-25 to 0-11) over Mayo in Ballina.

A Keith Higgins free meant Mayo trailed 0-13 to 0-8 at the interval, however, the floodgates opened after the break, as David Herity's side dominated proceedings, with Paul Divilly, substitute Mark Delaney, Cathal Dowling, Brian Byrne and Jack Sheridan firing the goals.

Meanwhile, at Ruislip yesterday, a Ronan Crowley-inspired London came from nine points down to defeat Sligo by 0-26 to 0-21.

Tweet

Most Read Stories