From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Nicky Rackard Cup (Irish: Chorn Nicoláis Mhic Riocaird) is in effect a competition for the "Division 3" hurling teams, the counties in Ireland that would not be considered "traditional" hurling teams. It is an extension of the Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the premier knock-out hurling competition. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months with the final being played in Croke Park, Dublin. The reigning champions are Roscommon, who now go on to compete in the Christy Ring Cup.
The Nicky Rackard Cup is the name of the cup that hurling teams play for in the final of this newly created competition. The cup and competition are named after Nicky Rackard, a famed hurler from Wexford and a member of a famous hurling family. The winner of this cup goes on to play in the "Division 2" series for the Christy Ring Cup the following year. The inaugural Nicky Rackard Cup final was played on Sunday 21 August 2005 between London and Louth, with victory going to the overseas team. In 2006, Derry won.
[edit] Format
Sixteen teams participate in the "Nicky Rackard Cup". The teams will be divided into three groups based on geographical criteria. The teams competing in the 2008 Nicky Rackard Cup are:
Ten county teams participate in the 2008 Nicky Rackard Cup, with Fingal (north Dublin) and "South Down" (County Down excluding the Ards peninsula) bringing the total to twelve.
Top two in each group advance to quarter-finals.
[edit] Past winners
