Donegal first for hurlers

A journey north awaits in the third game when Wicklow must head for Celtic Park or Owenbeg for what is always guaranteed to be a tough encounter.

The top two teams in each group qualify for the semi-finals with the top teams playing the runners up of the other group.

The winners of the Christy Ring will be promoted to the Joe McDonagh Cup while the bottom team in each group will face off in a relegation battle. Dates to be confirmed for all games.

A semi-final defeat to London in Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow was the end of the 2018 camapign for Seamus Murphy’s men with the Exiles going to to lose the final against Kildare who will start as firm favourites to qualify out of the other group that consists of the Lilywhites, Roscommon, Meath and London.

Prior to that, the Wicklow hurlers will be battling their way through the NHL Division 2B campaign starting with a hop across the Irish Sea to take on Warwickshire for a Saturday night battle on January 26.

By the time the Christy Ring Cup comes around they’ll have already covered their three journeys with an away game against Donegal (February 17), home against Down (February 3) and away to Derry (March 3).

NHL DIVISION 2B FIXTURES Saturday, January 26 - Warwickshire v Wicklow, 2pm

Sunday, February 3 - Wicklow v Down, TBC

Sunday, February 17 - Donegal v Wicklow, 2pm

Sunday, February 24 - Wicklow v Kildare, 2pm

Sunday, March 3 - Derry v Wicklow, 1pm