2006 Christy Ring Cup


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. 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 at that time. Flaherty scored a goal against Meath in that game.

Team changes

To Championship

Relegated from the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Promoted from the Nicky Rackard Cup

From Championship

Promoted to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Relegated to the Nicky Rackard Cup

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:
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.

Stadia and locations

CountyLocationProvinceStadium(s)Capacity
Neutral 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

Miscellaneous