By Dan O’Muirigh

National Hurling League Division 2B

Derry v Kildare

Sunday, Celtic Par0k, 2pm

DERRY head into their crunch clash with Kildare at Celtic Park sitting top of the pile in Division 2B. With four games down, the Oak Leaf county can account for an impressive four victories, and will be confident they can claim a fifth on Sunday.

Ulster rivals Down were dispatched by a scoreline of 1-19 to 0-19 on the opening day, before a strong showing across the water against London in a 4-15 to 2-18 victory. Warwickshire were brushed away as the Derrymen racked up a resounding 4-22 back home, and this preceded a gritty 0-16 to 0-10 win over Roscommon.

A Derry victory or a draw between the two sides will set up a Derry and Down final. However, a Kildare victory would complicate matters.

The rules dictate that if three or more teams vying for promotion finish on the same points, then the two sides with the best points difference will qualify for the final. A Kildare victory would therefore see a Kildare-Down final, owing to their superior score difference when compared to Derry’s.

Sunday’s tie is no easy task for the Derry hurlers. While Down were two point winners over the Leinster outfit the last day out, Kildare have hit huge scores elsewhere, with 2-26 against London, 5-19 away to Warwackshire and 5-21 against Roscommon.

However, Derry will pose a problem in their own right and may well have enough to overcome Kildare’s challenge. Marksman Cormac O’Doherty will have an influential role to play after scoring 10 of his side’s 16 scores against Roscommon, a regular theme of his this season. The likes of Eoghan Cassidy, Odhran McKeever and Richie Mullan are also capable of influencing the game in Derry’s favour.

Promotion proved elusive for Derry last season and this may be motivation enough for the Ulster side to take 2020’s opportunity to move into Division 2A. Wicklow proved too strong in the League in 2019 and prevailed again by 1-9 to 0-8 in the decider to earn the right to compete with the likes of Antrim, Offaly and Kerry this season.

All eyes will be on Celtic Park as Division 2B’s only game this weekend where Derry will hope their quality and momentum of form will carry them through to another shot at promotion.