The 2006 Nicky Rackard Cup was the 2006 campaign of the Nicky Rackard Cup and began on Saturday June 10, 2006. 2006 was the second time this new element of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was introduced. It was devised by the Hurling Development Committee to encourage some of the weaker hurling counties and to give them the chance of playing more games. The final will be played on Sunday, August 13 in Croke Park, Dublin City.
Donegal, Armagh, Longford and Derry played in the semi-finals. Longford qualified by defeating the other two group runners-up. After winning their semi-finals, Donegal and Derry contested the final in Croke Park on August 12. Derry won easily and were promoted to the 2007 Christy Ring Cup.
Format
Twelve teams participate in the 2006 Nicky Rackard Cup. The teams were divided into three groups of four roughly based on geographical criteria. The groups are identical to the Nicky Rackard Cup 2005 except that in 3C Derry replace London, who have been promoted.
Group 3A: Sligo, Tyrone, Donegal and Fermanagh Group 3B: Louth, Cavan, Armagh and Leitrim Group 3C: Derry, Warwickshire, Longford and Monaghan
The group winners advance to the semi-finals. The runners-up in Groups 3A and 3B meet in the quarter-final playoffs, with the winners meeting the runner-up in Group 3C in the quarter-final.
Team changes
To Championship Relegated from the Christy Ring Cup
Derry
From Championship Promoted to the Christy Ring Cup
London
Teams
General Information CountyLast Provincial TitleLast All-Ireland TitlePosition in 2005 ChampionshipAppearance Armagh——Quarter-finals2nd Cavan——Group Stage2nd Derry2001—Lost relegation playoff (Christy Ring Cup)1st Donegal1932—Semi-finals2nd Fermanagh——Group Stage2nd Leitrim——Group Stage2nd Longford——Quarter-finals2nd Louth——Runners-up2nd Monaghan1915—Group Stage2nd Sligo——Group Stage2nd Tyrone——Semi-finals2ndWarwickshire——Group Stage2nd
Group stage
Group 3A TeamQualification1 Donegal32108-432-33 +285 Advance to Semi-final2 Sligo32107-437-20 +235Advance to Quarter-Final playoff3 Fermanagh31027-316-48 -1424 Tyrone30033-3310-49 -370
Matches Date Venue Winner Score Loser Score June 10 Irvinestown Fermanagh 4-15 Tyrone 1-16 June 10 Ballyshannon Donegal 3-7 Sligo 1-13 June 24 Omagh Tyrone 1-10 Donegal 4-19 June 24 Markievicz Park Sligo 4-15 Fermanagh 3-8 July 8 Enniskillen Donegal 1-17 Fermanagh 0-08 July 8 Sligo 2-15 Tyrone 1-06
Group 3B TeamQualification1 Armagh330011-652-18 +745 Advance to Semi-final2 Louth320112-443-28 +435Advance to Quarter-Final playoff3 Leitrim31026-3210-37 -1724 Cavan30035-1019-58 -900
Matches Date Venue Winner Score Loser Score June 10 Ballinamore Leitrim 0-10 Louth 3-12 June 10 Armagh 6-20 Cavan 0-2 June 24 Knockbridge Louth 8-25 Cavan 2-3 June 24 Keady Armagh 4-20 Leitrim 1-9 July 8 Ballyconnell Cavan 3-05 Leitrim 5-13 July 8 Drogheda Louth 1-07 Armagh 1-15
Group 3C TeamQualification1 Derry33008-543-35 +346 Advance to Semi-final2 Longford32013-443-31 +134Advance to Quarter-Final 3 Warwickshire31024-294-44 -1524 Monaghan30031-316-48 -320
Matches Date Venue Winner Score Loser Score June 10 Ballinascreen Derry 2-14 Longford 0-12 June 10 Warwickshire 1-11 Monaghan 0-9 June 24 Clontibret Derry 4-24 Monaghan 0-11 June 24 Pearse Park Longford 2-18 Warwickshire 0-6 July 8 Páirc na hÉireann Derry 2-17 Warwickshire 3-12 July 8 Clones Longford 1-14 Monaghan 1-11
Knockout stage
Bracket
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final Derry are promoted to the 2007 Christy Ring Cup.
Stadia and locations
CountyLocationProvinceStadium(s)Capacity ArmaghArmaghUlsterAthletic Grounds18,500 CavanCavanUlsterBreffni Park32,000 DerryDerryUlsterCeltic Park22,000 DonegalBallybofeyUlsterMacCumhaill Park18,000 FermanaghEnniskillenUlsterBrewster Park18,000 LeitrimCarrick-on-ShannonConnachtPáirc Seán Mac Diarmada9,331 LongfordLongfordLeinsterPearse Park10,000 LouthDroghedaLeinsterDrogheda Park3,500 MonaghanClonesUlsterSt Tiernach's Park36,000 SligoSligoConnachtMarkievicz Park18,558 TyroneOmaghUlsterHealy Park17,636 WarwickshireSolihullBritainPáirc na hÉireann4,500
Statistics
Scoring events
Widest winning margin: 40 points Louth 8-25 - 2-03 Cavan (Round 2) Most goals in a match: 10 Louth 8-25 - 2-03 Cavan (Round 2) Most points in a match: 35 Derry 4-24 - 0-11 Monaghan (Round 2) Most goals by one team in a match: 8 Louth 8-25 - 2-03 Cavan (Round 2) Most points by one team in a match: 25 Louth 8-25 - 2-03 Cavan (Round 2) Highest aggregate score: 58 points Louth 8-25 - 2-03 Cavan (Round 2) Lowest aggregate score: 23 points Warwickshire 1-11 - 0-09 Monaghan (Round 1)
Miscellaneous
Derry won their 1st championship in 5 years, last winning the 2001 Ulster Senior Hurling Championship.
See also
2006 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (Tier 1) 2006 Christy Ring Cup (Tier 2)
References