Keith Higgins will return to Croke Park next weekend as the Mayo hurlers face Kildare in a Christy Ring Cup final. Picture: David Farrell Photography

The Mayo senior hurlers will contest a first-ever Christy Ring Cup final at Croke Park next Saturday afternoon after defeating Derry by 2-23 to 2-18 in their winner-take-all Round 5 clash in MacHale Park this afternoon.

Twelve points from captain Shane Boland and goals from Joe Mooney and Kenny Feeney secured the win for Derek Walsh’s side, who had to withstand a late rally from the Ulstermen which saw them narrow their arrears to a single point as late as the 68th minute.

But late points from Mooney and the outstanding Boland saw Mayo over the line, the hurlers recording their fourth win from five group stage games to earn a place in the Ring final against Kildare at Headquarters next weekend.

It will mark the third year in-a-row in which the hurlers will play at Croke Park, having also contested the Nickey Rackard cup finals of 2020 and 2021 on Jones’ Road.