Nicky Rackard Cup draw throws up tasty opener for Mayo

The first championship game this for Mayo's hurlers will be a repeat of the final game they played last year.

In the draw for the Nicky Rackard Cup, Mayo were placed in Group A alongside Leitrim and Donegal.

It was Donegal who defeated Mayo in the 2020 Nicky Rackard Cup final last November, and Mayo will have an early chance for revenge as they face each other in the opening round on June 26/27. The second round game sees Mayo host Leitrim, the team they defeated in the semi-final last year, on July 3/4, while round three will be between Leitrim and Donegal on July 10/11.

The top two teams qualify for the semi-finals and the third placed team will play in the quarterfinal.

There are just two teams in Group B, Armagh and Tyrone, and they face each other in a playoff on July 3/4, with the winner going straight to the semi-finals and the loser playing in the quarterfinal. The winner of the quarterfinal will go on the semi-finals, while the loser will be relegated to the Lory Meagher Cup for 2022. The winner of the Nicky Rackard Cup this year will be promoted to the Christy Ring Cup for 2022.

Last year, Mayo defeated Monaghan, Tyrone and Leitrim en route to the final against Donegal in Croke Park. The final scoreline was Donegal 3-18, Mayo 0-21.