2006 Christy Ring Cup
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The Christy Ring Cup 2006 began on Saturday, June 3, 2006. The Christy Ring Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2005 for middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland.
Down shocked Antrim on opening day, but the Glensmen came back to win their next three games by a combined 77 points. In Group B, Kildare won all their games while Carlow scraped the runner-up spot. In the semis Antrim led the Lilywhites 2-14 to 0-1 at half-time, while in a thrilling match Carlow beat Down by two points.
The final on Sunday August 6, played a curtain-raiser to the Cork-Waterford semi-final, was a complete non-event. After twenty-five minutes Antrim led by 3-6 to 0-0, Carlow having hit eight wides. Antrim eased off towards the end to win by 5-13 to 1-7. Joey Scullion, Johnny McIntosh (two), Ciaran Kelly and Brian McFall got the goals for Antrim, while the Carlow 'keeper Frank Foley scored his side's only goal from a late penalty. Report
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:
- Leinster: Carlow, Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow
- Ulster: Antrim and Down
- Connacht: Roscommon and Mayo
- Munster: Kerry
- England: London
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 McCarthy 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.
Group A
Table
| Table | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8-76 | 2-43 | 51 | 8 | Advanced to the Knockout Stages |
| Antrim | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 15-70 | 2-48 | 61 | 6 | |
| London | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7-45 | 4-59 | -5 | 4 | Remained in the Christy Ring Cup for 2007 |
| Meath | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2-65 | 10-50 | -9 | 2 | |
| Roscommon | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2-35 | 16-91 | -98 | 0 | Contested the relegation match |
Results
| 10 June 2006 Round 1 | Roscommon | 0-10 - 2-10 | London | Athleague Sportsfield |
| R Mulry 0-4, B Kelly 0-3, G Fallon 0-1, D Loughnane 0-1, A Cunniffe 0-1. | S Malone 0-4, S Quinn 1-0, P Fagan 1-0, G Smith 0-1, M Gordon 0-1, F McMahon 0-1, B Foley 0-1, K McMullen 0-1, T Simms 0-1. | Referee: T McMahon (Fermanagh) |
| 10 June 2006 Round 1 | Down | 1-23 - 1-7 | Antrim | McKenna Park |
| P Braniff 0-8, S Clarke 0-4, O Clarke 1-0, B McGourty 0-3, M Coulter 0-3, D Flynn 0-2, E Trainor 0-1. | Brian McFall 0-4, K Kelly 1-0, John McIntosh 0-2, J Scullion 0-1. | Referee: G Devlin (Armagh) |
| 18 June 2006 Round 2 | Antrim | 9-39 - 0-5 | Roscommon | Casement Park |
| P Richmond (3-4), J McIntosh (2-8), L Watson (2-3), J Scullion (1-5), M Dallas (0-7), B McFall (1-3), B Delargy (0-3), M Molloy (0-3), D McKillop (0-2), M Scullion (0-1). |
| 18 June 2006 Round 2 | London | 3-15 - 0-20 | Meath | Emerald GAA Grounds |
| S Malone (2-2), K McMullan (1-1), F McMahon (0-3), M O’Meara (0-3), D Smith (0-2), P Fagan (0-2), B Foley (0-1), S Quinn (0-1). | T Reilly (0-11), K Dowd (0-3), J Keena (0-2), G O’Neil (0-2), S Clynch (0-1), K Fagan (0-1). |
| 24 June 2006 Round 3 | Down | 3-21 - 0-12 | Roscommon | |
| B Innes 1-3, S Clarke 1-4, E Clarke 1-2, P Braniff 0-5, E Trainor 0-3, S Wilson 0-2 B McGourty 0-1. | R Mulry 0-7, B Kelly 0-2, A Cunniffe, G Fallon, Conniughton 0-1 each. |
| 24 June 2006 Round 3 | Antrim | 3-12 - 0-13 | Meath | |
| L Watson 2-4, 2-2 frees; J McIntosh 0-4; K Kelly 1-1; M Dallas 0-2; P McGill 0-1. | T Riley 0-6 (2f '65), S Clynch, J Keena 0-2 each, M Cole, P Coone, P Donnelly 0-1 each. |
| 8 July 2006 Round 4 | Down | 2-15 - 0-11 | Meath | McKenna Park |
| Paul Braniff 2-2, S Clarke 0-5, B McGourty 0-4, E Trainor 0-2, Gabriel Clarke 0-1, S Wilson 0-1. | N Hackett 0-4, M Cole 0-2, K Fegan 0-2, J Keenan 0-1, E Keogh 0-1, S Heavey 0-1. | Referee: T Mahon (Fermanagh) |
| 8 July 2006 Round 4 | Antrim | 2-12 - 1-7 | London | Casement Park |
| Paddy Richmond 1-2, Johnny McIntosh 1-2, Brian McFall 0-5, M Scullion 0-1, K Kelly 0-1, J Scullion 0-1. | B Foley 1-1, J Ryan 0-2, D Smith 0-2, E Phelan 0-1, P Fagan 0-1. | Referee: G McGrath (Westmeath) |
| 15 July 2006 Round 5 | London | 1-13 - 2-17 | Down | Emerald GAA Grounds |
| E Conway 0-4, J Ryan 1-0, P Fagan 0-2, S Malone 0-2, F McMahon 0-2, K McMullan 0-1, M O’Meara 0-1, T Simms 0-1. | Paul Braniff 0-5, E Trainor 0-5, S Clarke 1-1, S Murray 0-2, S Wilson 0-1, B McGourty 0-1, G Adair 0-1, M Braniff 0-1. | Referee: C McAllister (Cork) |
| 15 July 2006 Round 5 | Meath | 2-21 - 2-8 | Roscommon | Páirc Tailteann |
| P Coone 1-5, K Fagan 1-3, T Reilly 0-5, S Clynch 0-3, J Keenan 0-2, J Watters 0-2, N Hackett 0-1. | M Connaughton 0-5, A Flaherty 1-0, T Reddington 1-0, G Waldron 0-1, A Cunniffe 0-1, M Kelly 0-1. |
Group B
Table
| Table | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kildare | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9-62 | 7-43 | 25 | 8 | Advanced to the Knockout Stages |
| Carlow | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7-55 | 8-37 | 15 | 5 | |
| Mayo | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4-34 | 7-48 | -23 | 4 | Remained in the Christy Ring Cup for 2007 |
| Wicklow | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6-45 | 9-41 | -5 | 3 | |
| Kerry | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7-34 | 2-61 | -12 | 0 | Contested the relegation match |
Results
| 3 June 2006 Round 1 | Wicklow | 2-8 - 1-11 | Carlow | Pearse Park |
| J Keogh 1-4, D Moran 1-0, D Hyland 0-1, G Doran 0-1, T McGrath 0-1, A O’Brien 0-1. | D Roberts 1-1, D Runbar 0-4, P Cody 0-2, B Lawler 0-1, C Hughes 0-1, P Kehoe 0-1, B Cox 0-1. |
| 3 June 2006 Round 1 | Kerry | 2-12 - 1-16 | Kildare | Austin Stack Park |
| M Boyle 2-0, M Conway 0-6, J Egan 0-5, J M Dooley 0-1. | B Whyte 0-9, D Harney 1-2, P Reidy 0-2, C Divilly 0-1, C Buggy 0-1, O Lynch 0-1. |
| 10 June 2006 Round 2 | Kildare | 3-14 - 2-11 | Wicklow | St. Conleth's Park |
| B White 0-7, A McAndrew 1-3, D Harney 1-0, B Byrne 1-0, C Divilly 0-1, P Reidy 0-1, M Moloney 0-1. | A O'Brien 1-2, L Glynn 1-1, J Keogh 0-3, J Murphy 0-2, D Hyland 0-1, G Doran 0-1, E Glynn 0-1. | Referee: D Magee (Down) |
| 10 June 2006 Round 2 | Carlow | 3-15 - 0-5 | Mayo | Dr. Cullen Park |
| B Lawlor 1-3, D Shaw 1-0, A Brennan 1-0, P Coady 0-3, S McMahon 0-2, D Roberts 0-2, P Kehoe 0-1, R Foley 0-1, E Coady 0-1, S Kavanagh 0-1. | K Higgens 0-2, S Broderick 0-1, S Coyne 0-1, P Higgins 0-1. | Referee: C McAllister (Cork) |
| 24 June 2006 Round 3 | Mayo | 1-12 - 2-19 | Kildare | McHale Park |
| P Higgins 1-1, S Broderick 0-6, S Coyle, D McDonald, P McConn, S Hunt, P Broderick 0-1 each. | Report | B White 1-7, A McAndrew 1-1, M Moloney 0-3, O Lynch 0-2, M Dowd 0-2, E Hannon, P Reidy, C Divill, B Byrne, D Harley 0-1 each. |
| 24 June 2006 Round 3 | Kerry | 2-7 - 0-15 | Wicklow | Austin Stack Park |
| M Conway 1-4, M Boyle 1-0, A Keane, J Dooley, M Hanafin 0-1 each. | Report | J Keogh 0-6, L Glynn 0-2, A O'Brien 0-2, J O'Neill 0-2, D Moran, E Glynn, E Dunne 0-1 each. |
| 8 July 2006 Round 4 | Kerry | 0-4 - 0-8 | Mayo | Austin Stack Park |
| J Egan 0-2 (2f), B O'Donovan and M Boyle 0-1 each | K Higgins 0-4 (3f), S Barrett 0-2 (2f), P Higgins and D McDonnell 0-1 each. |
| 8 July 2006 Round 4 | Kildare | 3-13 - 2-7 | Carlow | St. Conleth's Park |
| B White 0-7 5f, C Divilly 2-0, B Byrne 1-0, DHarney 0-3, O Lynch 0-2, M O'Sowd 0-1. | P Coady 1-1 both f, A Brennan 1-0, D Roberts 1f and P Keogh 0-2 each, D Murphy and B Lawler 0-1 each. |
| 15 July 2006 Round 5 | Carlow | 1-22 - 3-11 | Kerry | Dr. Cullen Park |
| P Coady 0-11, P Keohoe 1-4, D Murphy 0-3, B Lawler 0-2, R Foley 0-1, M Keating 0-1. | I McCarthy 1-4, M Conway 1-2, A Keane 1-0, S Mounsell 0-2, N Whelan 0-1, G O'Grady 0-1, A Boyle 0-1. | Referee: C Groome (Offaly) |
| 15 July 2006 Round 5 | Mayo | 3-9 - 2-10 | Wicklow | James Stephens Park |
| P Broderick 2-2, S Barrett 1-0, S Broderick 0-2, D McDonald 0-2, D McConn 0-1, K Healey 0-1, A Freeman 0-1. | A Brennan 1-3, G Doran 1-0, E Flynn 0-3, J Murphy 0-2, J Bermingham 0-1, D O'Haolain 0-1. |
Relegation Final
Relegation final
| 22 July 2006 Relegation final | Kerry | 2-19 - 1-7 | Roscommon | Cusack Park |
| M Conway 2-6, B Donovan 0-4, M Boyle 0-4, I McCarthy 0-2, M Quilter 0-1, A Keane 0-1, P Lyons 0-1. | M Kelly 1-1, B Hanley 0-2, R Mulry 0-2, M Connaughton 0-2. |
Knockout Stages
Semi-finals
| 23 July 2005 Semi-final | Kildare | 0-6 - 2-21 | Antrim | Cusack Park |
| B White (0-3, two frees, '65), PB Byrne, D Harney, O Lynch (0-1 each). | Report | L Watson (0-12, seven frees, four '65s), P Richmond (1-2), B McFall (1-1), M Scullion, K Kelly (0-2 each), C Cunning, J McIntosh (0-1 each). |
| 23 July 2005 Semi-final | Down | 5-8 - 2-19 | Carlow | Cusack Park |
| P Braniff (4-6, three frees), E Clarke (1-1), S Wilson (0-1, free) | Report | P Coady (0-6, three frees, '65), D Murphy (2-0), B Lawler (0-5), R Foley (0-3), F Foley, C Hughes, A Brennan, P Kehoe, K English (0-1 each). |
Final
| 6 August 2005 Final | Antrim | 5-13 - 1-7 | Carlow | Croke Park |
| J McIntosh (2-4, four frees), B McFall (1-2), K Kelly (1-1), J Scullion (1-0), P Richmond (0-2), M Molloy (0-2, one free, one 65), P McGill (0-1), B Delargy (0-1). | Report | F Foley (1-0, free), P Coady (0-3, frees), D Roberts (0-1), R Foley (0-2), S McMahon (0-1). | Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath) |
Top scorers
- Paul Branniff (Down) 6-26 (44)
- Johnny McIntosh (Antrim) 5-21 (36)
- Liam Watson (Antrim) 4-19 (31)
- Mikey Conway (Kerry) 4-18 (30)
- Pat Coady (Carlow) 1-26 (29)
- Paddy Richmond (Antrim) 5-10 (25)
- Brian McFall (Antrim) 3-15 (24)
