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Nicky Rackard Cup

The Nicky Rackard Cup (Irish: Corn Niocláis Mhic Riocaird;[1] often referred to as the Rackard Cup) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. The cup forms the fourth-tier of Hurling for senior county teams (the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship is the first-tier trophy). It is contested by the six county teams ranked 24–29 in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. Each year, the champions of the Nicky Rackard Cup are promoted to the Christy Ring Cup, and the lowest finishing team is relegated to the Lory Meagher Cup. The winners of the championship receive the Nicky Rackard Cup, named after former Wexford hurler Nicky Rackard regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of all time.

Nicky Rackard Cup
Current season or competition:
2024 Nicky Rackard Cup
CodeHurling
Founded2005; 19 years ago (2005)
RegionRepublic of Ireland Ireland (GAA)
TrophyNicky Rackard Cup
No. of teams6
Title holders Donegal (4th title)
Most titles Donegal (4 titles)
TV partner(s)TG4
Official websiteOfficial website

The Nicky Rackard Cup, which was introduced for the 2005 season, is a recent initiative in providing a meaningful championship for third tier teams deemed "too weak" for any higher grades. It effectively replaced the All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship (1912–2004). Originally introduced as a thrid-tier competition, it is currently the fourth tier overall in the inter-county hurling championship system. Between 2005 and 2017 the Nicky Rackard Cup was the third tier hurling championship. With the introduction of the Joe McDonagh Cup, the Nicky Rackard Cup is the second highest tier of the championship system without entry to that year's All-Ireland finals series (the top two teams in the Joe McDonagh Cup usually gain entry to preliminary quarter-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship).

The title has been won by 10 different counties, 8 of whom have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are Donegal, who have won the cup on 3 occasions. Wicklow are the title holders, defeating Donegal by 1-20 to 3-12 in the 2023 final.

History

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For history before 2004, see All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship.

Inauguration of the competition

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In 2003 the Hurling Development Committee (HDC) was charged with restructuring the entire hurling championship. The committee was composed of chairman Pat Dunny (Kildare), Liam Griffin (Wexford), P. J. O'Grady (Limerick), Ger Loughnane (Clare), Cyril Farrell (Galway), Jimmy O'Reilly (Down), Willie Ring (Cork), Pat Daly (GAA Games Development Officer) and Nicky English (Tipperary). Over the course of three months they held discussions with managers, players and officials, while also taking a submission from the Gaelic Players Association. The basic tenet of the proposals was to structure the hurling championship into three tiers in accordance with 2004 National Hurling League status.

The top tier was confined to 12 teams, while the next twenty teams would contest the second and third tiers which were to be known respectively as the Christy Ring Cup and Nicky Rackard Cup. There would also be promotion-relegation play-offs between the three championship tiers. The HDC also suggested that these games would be played as curtain raisers to All-Ireland quarter-finals and semi-finals.[2]

The proposal were accepted at the 2005 GAA Congress. The Christy Ring Cup and the Nicky Rackard Cup competitions were launched at Croke Park on 8 December 2004.

Format

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2005-2006

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Mervyn Connaughton receiving the Nicky Rackard Cup for Roscommon in 2007

The twelve participating teams were divided into three groups of four and played in a round-robin format. Each team was guaranteed at least three games each. The three group winners qualified for the knock-out semi-finals of the competition. The runners-up in groups 3B and 3C contested a play-off with the winner playing the runner up in group 3A in a lone quarter-final. The winner of that match joined the three group winners in the semi-finals.

2007-2008

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The twelve participating teams were divided into four groups of three and played in a round-robin format, thus limiting each team to just two games each. The eventual group winners and runners-up qualified for the knock-out quarter-finals of the competition.

2009-2017

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In 2009 a double elimination format was introduced, thus guaranteeing each team at least two games before being eliminated from the competition.

  • The eight teams play four Round 1 matches.
    • The winners in Round 1 advance to Round 2A.
    • The losers in Round 1 go into Round 2B.
  • There are two Round 2A matches.
    • The winners in Round 2A advance to the semi-finals.
    • The losers in Round 2A go into the quarter-finals.
  • There are two Round 2B matches.
    • The winners in Round 2B advance to the quarter-finals.
    • The losers in Round 2B go into the relegation playoff.
      • The losers of the relegation playoff are relegated to the Lory Meagher Cup for the following year.
  • There are two quarter-final matches between the Round 2A losers and Round 2B winners.
    • The winners of the quarter-finals advance to the semi-finals.
    • The losers of the quarter-finals are eliminated.
  • There are two semi-final matches between the Round 2A winners and the quarter-final winners.
    • The winners of the semi-finals advance to the final.
    • The losers of the semi-finals are eliminated.
  • The winners of the final win the Nicky Rackard Cup and are promoted to the Christy Ring Cup for the following year.

2018-present

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Beginning in 2018, the Nicky Rackard Cup changed format, with initial ties played in group stages, which in 2018 consisted of one of four teams and one of three. Previously it was a double elimination tournament. The top two teams from both groups advance to the cup semi-finals. The bottom team from each group will progress to a relegation final.

The winner of the Nicky Rackard Cup will be promoted to the Christy Ring Cup, For 2018 only, 2 teams will be relegated from the 2018 Christy Ring Cup to the 2019 Nicky Rackard Cup to bring the number of teams in the 2019 edition to an even 8, allowing for two groups of 4.

The loser of the relegation final will be relegated to the Lory Meagher Cup, to be replaced by the winner of the previous years competition.[3]

Teams

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2025 Cup

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Six counties will compete in the 2025 Nicky Rackard Cup, with Sligo relegated from the Christy Ring Cup and Fermanagh promoted from the Lory Meagher Cup:

CountyLocationStadiumProvincePosition in 2024 ChampionshipFirst year in ChampionshipIn Championship SinceChampionship TitlesLast Championship Title
ArmaghArmaghAthletic GroundsUlster4th2005201922012
FermanaghEnniskillenBrewster ParkUlsterChampions (Lory Meagher Cup)200520250—
LouthDroghedaDrogheda ParkLeinster5th200520230—
MayoCastlebarMacHale ParkConnachtRunners-up2016202422021
RoscommonRoscommonDr Hyde ParkConnacht3rd2007202222015
SligoSligoMarkievicz ParkConnacht6th (Christy Ring Cup)2005202522019

Venues

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See also: List of Gaelic Athletic Association stadiums
Croke Park in Dublin, hosts the Nicky Rackard Cup Final.

Group stage

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Fixtures in the five group stage rounds of the cup are played at the home ground of one of the two teams. Each team is guaranteed at least two home games. Some teams get three home games.

Final

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The Nicky Rackard Cup final is played at Croke Park.

2023 Venues

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CountyLocationProvinceStadium(s)Capacity
NeutralDublinLeinsterCroke Park82,300
ArmaghArmaghUlsterAthletic Grounds18,500
DonegalBallybofeyUlsterMacCumhaill Park18,000
FermanaghEnniskillenUlsterBrewster Park20,000
LouthDroghedaLeinsterDrogheda Park3,500
RoscommonRoscommonConnachtDr Hyde Park25,000
WicklowAughrimLeinsterAughrim County Ground7,000

List of finals

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YearDateWinnersRunners-upVenueWinning captain(s)Winning marginReferee
CountyScoreCountyScore
20242 JuneDonegal3-17 (26)Mayo0-22 (22)Croke Park, DublinConor Gartland4P. Owens (Down)
20233 JuneWicklow1-20 (23)Donegal3-12 (21)Croke Park, Dublin2
2022May 21Tyrone1-27 (30)Roscommon0-19 (19)Croke Park, Dublin11C McDonald (Antrim)
2021August 31Mayo2-27 (33)Tyrone1-14 (17)Croke Park, DublinKeith Higgins16Richie Fitzsimons (Offaly)
2020November 22Donegal3-18 (27)Mayo0-21 (21)Croke Park, DublinSeán McVeigh6K Jordan (Tipperary)
2019June 22Sligo2-14 (20)Armagh2-13 (19)Croke Park, Dublin1
2018June 10Donegal2-19 (25)Warwickshire0-18 (18)Croke Park, Dublin7Gearoid McGrath (Wexford)
2017June 10Derry3-23 (32)Armagh2-15 (21)Croke Park, Dublin11S Hynes (Galway)
2016June 4Mayo2-16 (22)Armagh1-15 (18)Croke Park, DublinBrian Hunt4J Murphy (Limerick)
2015June 6Roscommon[4]2-12 (18)Armagh1-14 (17)Croke Park, Dublin1
2014June 7Tyrone[5]1-17 (20)Fingal1-16 (19)Croke Park, Dublin1
2013June 8Donegal[6]3-20 (29)Roscommon3-16 (25)Croke Park, Dublin4
2012June 9Armagh[7]3-20 (29)Louth1-15 (18)Croke Park, Dublin11
2011June 4London2-20 (26)Louth0-11 (11)Croke Park, Dublin15
2010July 3Armagh3-15 (24)London3-14 (23)Croke Park, Dublin1
2009July 11Meath2-18 (24)London1-15 (18)Croke Park, Dublin6
2008August 3Sligo3-19 (28)Louth3-10 (19)Croke Park, Dublin9
2007August 12Roscommon1-12 (15)Armagh0-13 (13)Croke Park, Dublin2
2006August 12Derry5-15 (30)Donegal1-11 (14)Croke Park, Dublin16
2005August 21London5-08 (23)Louth1-05 (8)Croke Park, Dublin15

Roll of honour

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Performances by county

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CountyTitle(s)Runners-upYears wonYears runners-up
Donegal422013, 2018, 2020, 20242006, 2023
Armagh252010, 20122007, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
London222005, 20112009, 2010
Roscommon222007, 20152013, 2022
Mayo222016, 20212020, 2024
Tyrone212014, 20222021
Derry202006, 2017—
Sligo202008, 2019—
Meath102009—
Wicklow102023—
Louth04—2005, 2008, 2011, 2012
Fingal01—2014
Warwickshre01—2018

[8]

Performances by province

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DivisionTitlesRunners-upTotal
Ulster10818
Connacht6410
Leinster257
Britain235
Munster000

Team records and statistics

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Legend

For each year, the number of teams in each championship (in brackets) are shown.

Team2005 (12)2006 (12)2007 (12)2008 (12)2009 (8)2010 (8)2011 (6)2012 (6)2013 (6)2014 (7)2015 (8)2016 (8)2017 (7)2018 (7)2019 (8)2020 (7)2021 (5)2022 (6)2023 (6)2024 (6)2025 (6)Years
ArmaghQFSF2ndCRSF1stCR1stCRCR2nd2nd2ndCR2ndR2SF4th3rd4th16
CavanGSGSGSQFLMLM——————LMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLM4
DerryCR1stCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCR1stCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCR2
DonegalSF2ndSFGSLMLMLMSF1stSFSFSFQF1stCR1stSF3rd2nd1stCR16
FermanaghGSGSGSGSLMLMLMLMLMLMLMRPOLMLMLMLMLM5th6thLM8
Fingal———SFSFQFSF——2ndQFSF—————————7
LeitrimGSGSGSQFLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMRPOLMSFQFLMLMLMLM7
London1stCRCRCR2nd2nd1stCRAIAICRCRCRCRCR——CRCRCRCR4
LongfordQFSFQFGSLMLMLMLMLMLMRPOQFQFGSGSR2LMLMLMLMLM10
Louth2ndQFSF2ndQFQF2nd2ndQFR2RPOLMR2RPORPOLMLMLM5th5th17
MayoCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCR1stCRCRGS2nd1stCRCR2nd6
MeathCRCRCRCR1stCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRJMCRJMJMJMCRJMCR1
MonaghanGSGSQFSFR2R2SFQFSFRPOQFQFSFSFRPOR2LMLMLM6thLM17
RoscommonCRCR1stCRQFSFQFSF2ndSF1stCRCRCRCRCRCR2nd4th3rd12
SligoGSQFGS1stR2SFQFQFQFRPOLMLMLMLM1stCRCRCRCRCR12
South Down———QFLMLMLM——————————————1
TyroneSFGSQFQFLMR2LMLMSF1stSFRPOSFSFSFSF2nd1stCRCRCR15
WarwickshireGSGSQFGSLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLM2ndSF——6thLMLMLM7
WicklowCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCRCR1stCRCR1

Debut of teams

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YearDebutantsTotal
2005 Armagh, Cavan, Donegal, Fermanagh, Leitrim, London, Longford, Louth, Monaghan, Sligo, Tyrone, Warwickshire12
2006 Derry1
2007 Roscommon1
2008 Fingal, South Down2
2009 Meath1
2010–2015None0
2016 Mayo1
2017–2022None0
2023 Wicklow1
2024–presentNone0
Total19

Seasons in Nicky Rackard Cup

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The number of years that each county has played in the Nicky Rackard Cup between 2005 and 2025. A total of 19 counties have competed in at least one season of the Nicky Rackard Cup. Monaghan have participated in the most championships. The counties in bold participate in the 2025 Nicky Rackard Cup.

YearsCounties
17Louth, Monaghan
16Armagh, Donegal
15Tyrone
12Sligo, Roscommon
10Longford
8Fermanagh
7Fingal, Leitrim, Warwickshire
6Mayo
4Cavan, London
2Derry
1Meath, South Down, Wicklow

List of Nicky Rackard Cup counties

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TeamTotal yearsFirst year in championshipMost recent year in championshipChampionship titlesLast championship titleBest Nicky Rackard Cup positionPosition in 2024 championshipCurrent championshipLvl
Armagh1620052025220121st4thNicky Rackard Cup4
Cavan4200520080—QF3rd (Lory Meagher Cup)Lory Meagher Cup5
Derry220062017220171stRunners-up (Christy Ring Cup)Christy Ring Cup3
Donegal1620052024420241stChampionsChristy Ring Cup3
Fermanagh8200520250—5thChampions (Lory Meagher Cup)Nicky Rackard Cup4
Fingal7200820160—2nd———
Leitrim7200520210—SF4th (Lory Meagher Cup)Lory Meagher Cup5
London420052011220111st3rd (Christy Ring Cup)Christy Ring Cup3
Longford10200520200—SFRunners-up (Lory Meagher Cup)Lory Meagher Cup5
Louth17200520250—2nd5thNicky Rackard Cup4
Mayo620162025220211stRunners-upNicky Rackard Cup4
Meath120092009120091st6th (Joe McDonagh Cup)Christy Ring Cup3
Monaghan17200520240—SF6thLory Meagher Cup5
Roscommon1220072025220151st3rdNicky Rackard Cup4
Sligo1220052025220191st6th (Christy Ring Cup)Nicky Rackard Cup4
South Down1200820080—QF———
Tyrone1520052022220221st4th (Christy Ring Cup)Christy Ring Cup3
Warwickshire7200520220—2nd5th (Lory Meagher Cup)Lory Meagher Cup5
Wicklow120232023120231st5th (Christy Ring Cup)Christy Ring Cup3

All-time table

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Legend

Colours
Currently competing in the Christy Ring Cup
Currently competing in the Nicky Rackard Cup
Currently competing in the Lory Meagher Cup

As of 12 June 2024 (After 2024 Nicky Rackard Cup).

#TeamPldWDLPointsP.P.G.
1 Donegal644321988
2 Armagh643912479
3 Roscommon442721556
4 Tyrone512602552
= Louth632523652
6 Mayo21152432
= Sligo361521932
8 London18150330
9 Monaghan521323728
10 Longford321301926
11 Fingal231101222
12 Derry990018
13 Warwickshire25721616
14 Wicklow660012
15 Meath44008
16 Leitrim1930166
17 Fermanagh2421215
18 South Down32014
19 Cavan101092

By Semi-Final/Top 4 Appearances

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TeamNo.Years
Donegal142005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Armagh132006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Tyrone102005, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Roscommon92007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023, 2024
Louth52005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
Fingal52008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016
Monaghan52008, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018
London42005, 2009, 2010, 2011
Mayo42016, 2020, 2021, 2024
Sligo32008, 2010, 2019
Derry22006, 2017
Warwickshire22018, 2019
Longford12006
Leitrim12020
Meath12009
Wicklow12023

By decade

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The most successful team of each decade, judged by number of Nicky Rackard Cup titles, is as follows:

Other records

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Finishing positions

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  • Most semi-final finishes
    • 7, Donegal (2005, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021)
    • 7, Tyrone (2005, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
  • Most quarter-final finishes
  • Most group stage finishes
  • Most round 2 finishes

Player records

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Top scorers per championship

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SeasonTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
2016Damien Casey Tyrone2-3945

Top scorer(s) in the final

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SeasonTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
2005 Kevin McMullanLondon2-17
Dave BourkeLondon1-47
2006 Ruairí ConveryDerry2-713
2007 Shane SweeneyRoscommon0-66
2008 Keith RaymondSligo1-811
2009 Neil HackettMeath0-66
Martin FinnLondon0-66
2010 Paul BreenArmagh2-410
2011 Martin FinnLondon2-814
2012 Shane FennellLouth0-99
2013 Gerry FallonRoscommon2-915
2014 John Matthew SheridanFingal0-1111
2015 Ryan GaffneyArmagh0-88
2016 Kenny FeeneyMayo1-912
2017 A. GrantArmagh1-058
2018 Niall McKennaWarwickshire0-1212
Declan CoulterDonegal1-0912
2019
2020 S BolandMayo0-1111
2021 Damian CaseyTyrone0-099
2022 D GlynnRoscommon0-1414
Damian CaseyTyrone0–1414
2023 Christy MoorehouseWicklow0–099

See also

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References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nicky Rackard Cup.
  1. ^ Tuarascáil An Runaí 2014
  2. ^ Keys, Colm (10 December 2003). "Hurling evangelists have radical tiers in their eyes". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Kelly the Nicky Rackard hero for Roscommon". Irish Times. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Nicky Rackard Cup: Tyrone edge Fingal". Hogan Stand. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  6. ^ "Rackard glory for 14-man Donegal". RTÉ Sport. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  7. ^ "Nicky Rackard final: Orchard blooms against Louth". Hogan Stand. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  8. ^ "Nicky Rackard Cup". Commercial Enterprises Ltd. Archived from the original on 11 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
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