Both teams were included in the counties competing in the newly created Joe McDonagh Cup.
[3] Kildare were the 2018 Chrisy Ring champions, defeating London by 3–19 to 1–11 in the final.
Kildare lost the relegation/promotion game against Antrim and remained in the Christy Ring Cup for 2019.
In 2018, teams at the bottom of each group will automatically be relegated to the Nicky Rackard Cup for 2019.
London, Derry and Down all finished on 4 points and were ranked on score difference.