The 2006 Christy Ring Cup is the second edition of the Christy Ring Cup since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 2005 and is the second-tier of Hurling for senior county teams (the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship is the first-tier trophy). It is contested by ten GAA county teams ranked 13–22 in the 2006 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The cup began on 3 June 2006 and ended on 6 August 2006.
Westmeath were the defending champions, however, they availed of their automatic right of promotion to the All-Ireland Championship. Antrim and London contested the cup for the first time.
On 6 August 2006, Antrim won the Christy Ring Cup following a 5-13 to 1-7 defeat of Carlow in the final. This was their first Christy Ring Cup title.
Down's Paul Braniff was the championship's top scorer with 6-26.
Anthony Flaherty came out of retirement at the age of 49 to play for Roscommon against Meath in this competition. Flaherty had not played competitive hurling for eight years ("about 1998") at that time. Flaherty scored a goal against Meath in that game.
Team changes
To Championship Relegated from the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Antrim
Promoted from the Nicky Rackard Cup
London
From Championship Promoted to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Westmeath
Relegated to the Nicky Rackard Cup
Derry
Teams
General Information CountyLast Provincial titleLast All-Ireland titlePosition in 2005 ChampionshipAppearance Antrim2005—Lost relegation playoff (All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship)1st Carlow——Semi-finals2nd Down1997—Runners-up2nd Kerry189118913rd in Group B2nd Kildare——Semi-finals2nd London—1901Champions (Nicky Rackard Cup)1st Mayo1909—5th in Group B2nd Meath——3rd in Group A2nd Roscommon1913—4th in Group A2nd Wicklow——4th in Group B2nd
Personnel and kits CountyManagerCaptain(s)SponsorAntrim Carlow Down Kerry KildareLondon Mayo MeathRoscommon Wicklow
Format Ten counties contested the 2006 competition for the Christy Ring Cup — the prize for the winners of Tier Two of the Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Championship. The inaugural competition involved the current middle rank of hurling counties: Leinster: Carlow, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow Ulster: Antrim, Down Connacht: Mayo, Roscommon Munster: Kerry Britain: London
These 10 counties are divided into two groups of five and play in a round-robin format, guaranteeing at least four games each. The eventual group winners and runners-up will qualify for the semi-finals of the Christy Ring Cup. The prize for the winners of the final will be promotion to Tier One of the Hurling Championship to contest the Liam MacCarthy Cup the following year.
The last team in each group will be involved in a relegation play-off with the eventual loser being relegated to the Nicky Rackard Cup.
Group stage
Group A Pos Team Pld W D L SF SA DiffPts Qualification1 Down 4 4 0 0 8-76 2-43 518Advance to Knockout Stage2 Antrim 4 3 0 1 15-70 2-48 6163 London 4 2 0 2 7-45 4-59 -544 Meath 4 1 0 3 2-65 10-50 -925 Roscommon 4 0 0 4 2-35 16-91 -980 Advance to relegation playoff
Results
Group B PosTeam Pld W D L SF SA Diff Pts Qualification1 Kildare 4 4 0 0 9-62 7-43 258Advance to Knockout Stage2 Carlow 4 2 1 1 7-55 8-37 1553 Mayo 4 2 0 2 4-34 7-48 -2344 Wicklow 4 1 1 2 6-45 9-41 -535 Kerry 4 0 0 4 7-34 2-61 -120 Advance to relegation playoff
Results
Knockout stage
Bracket
Relegation final
Semi-finals
Final
Stadia and locations
CountyLocationProvinceStadium(s)CapacityNeutral VenueDublinLeinsterCroke Park82,300 AntrimBelfastUlsterCasement Park31,661 CarlowCarlowLeinsterDr Cullen Park21,000 DownNewryUlsterPáirc Esler20,000 KerryTraleeMunsterAustin Stack Park12,000 KildareNewbridgeLeinsterSt Conleth's Park8,200 LondonSouth RuislipBritainMcGovern Park3,000 MayoCastlebarConnachtMacHale Park25,369 MeathNavanLeinsterPáirc Tailteann11,000 RoscommonRoscommonConnachtDr Hyde Park25,000 WicklowAughrimLeinsterAughrim County Ground7,000
Championship Statistics
Top scorers Paul Branniff (Down) 6-26 (44) Johnny McIntosh (Antrim) 5-21 (36) Liam Watson (Antrim) 4-19 (31) Mikey Conway (Kerry) 4-18 (30) Pat Coady (Carlow) 1-26 (29) Paddy Richmond (Antrim) 5-10 (25) Brian McFall (Antrim) 3-15 (24)
Miscellaneous
Antrim won a championship double in 2006 by winning the Christy Ring Cup and the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship.
See also
2006 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2006 Munster Senior Hurling Championship 2006 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship 2006 Ulster Senior Hurling Championship 2006 Nicky Rackard Cup (Tier 3)
References