Search Results for 'Christy Ring Cup'

Westmeath hurlers have plenty to feel proud about this week having captured their third Christy Ring Cup, this time at the expense of a luckless Kerry. While winning this second tier competition is in itself something to celebrate the main prize on offer is a three year ticket to compete for the Liam McCarthy.

Former Kilkenny star hurler Andy Comerford has stepped down as Kildare hurling boss after three years in the job. Comerford made the decision to step down after his team lost to Westmeath in the Christy Ring Cup semi-final and the earlier NHL relegation from Division Two to Division Three.

Leinster SFC

Leinster MFC

While the footballers have been doing the business on the field picking up two wins from their opening games in the national league, it is now the hurlers’ time to go into competitive action this weekend. Martin Brennan and Pete Finnerty are back on board for this year following initial murmuring that they were not going to take charge of the side again following their exit from the Christy Ring Cup at the semi final stage last term.

Carlow 1-14

Last week in this column I let off a bit of steam in relation to the GAA’s treatment of the lesser hurling counties in the country. As far as I was concerned unless you are a leading contender for Liam McCarthy honours you just don’t matter. Last weekend, the quarter-finals of the Nicky Rackard and Christy Ring cups were played and for the counties involved their season hung on the result. I mentioned about how shoddy the arrangements were for the draw for these quarter-finals. While the draw was being made for the qualifiers in the premier competition, the rest of the counties involved in their own championships, were left to hang on with no idea of who their opposition would be. What I didn’t mention though was my surprise that the knockout games in the Ring and Rackard cups would be on a home and away basis.

While many would have been lining the pitches in Breaffy, Shrule, Claremorris, and Burrishoole or easing themselves into watching Joe Canning put ona legendary display but still end up on a losing side last Saturday night, there was a bit of history being made in Aughrim, County Wicklow.

Carlow 1-16