All-Ireland Colleges Interprovincial Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Colleges Interprovincial Championship, was an annual inter-provincial hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. It was the highest inter-provincial colleges hurling competition in Ireland, and was contested every year from 1927 to 1956.
The All-Ireland final, usually held in March or April, served as the culmination of a knockout series of games featuring Connacht, Leinster and Munster. At its peak, it was one of the most prestigious colleges competitions in Gaelic games, with players regarding it as a great honour to be included on their provincial team.
The title was won at least once by all three provinces, with only Leinster and Munster winning the competition more than one. The all-time record-holders are Munster, who appeared in every final and won the competition 24 times.
History
Inter-colleges hurling competitions had been played since 1918, with the Leinster Championship and Dr Harty Cup both being formed that year. Both these competitions ended with the respective provincial finals and there was no All-Ireland series. In 1927, the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition for senior inter-county players was inaugurated after the Great Southern Railways sponsored a trophy. A similar competition was also arranged at colleges level that year. Following the completion of the respective Leinster and Munster competitions, a series of trials were held to pick a "best of" team from both provinces. The very first match took place at Croke Park on 7 May 1927, with Munster beating Leinster by 4–03 to 0–03 to claim the inaugural title. Connacht made their first appearance in the competition in a semi-final on 25 March 1934 when they incurred a 6–07 to 2–00 defeat by Munster.List of finals
Records and statistics
Final
- Most wins: 24:
- *Munster
- Most consecutive wins: 8:
- *Munster 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949)
- Most second-place finishes: 22:
- *Leinster
- Most consecutive second-place finishes: 7:
- *Leinster
- *Leinster
- Most appearances: 30:
- *Munster