2016 Christy Ring Cup
| Dates | 23 April – 25 June 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | 8 | ||
| Champions | Meath (1st title) James Toher (captain) Martin Ennis (manager) | ||
| Runners-up | Antrim Neal McAuley (captain) Dominic McKinley (manager) | ||
| Tournament statistics | |||
| Matches played | 16 | ||
| Goals scored | 40 (2.5 per match) | ||
| Points scored | 540 (33.75 per match) | ||
| Top scorer(s) | Ciarán Clarke (2-38) | ||
| |||
The 2016 Christy Ring Cup was the 12th staging of the Christy Ring Cup hurling championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 2005. The competition began on Saturday 23 April 2016 and ended on Saturday 25 June 2016.
Kerry were the 2015 champions and were promoted to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.[1]
In the first final on 4 June 2016 a mistake was made in recording the score. Meath were presented with the Christy Ring Cup as the final score was believed to be Meath 2-18 to Antrim's 1-20.[2] On 7 June 2016 the CCCC[3] ordered that the final be replayed. Meath won the replay on 25 June 2016 after extra time, beating Antrim 4-21 to 5-17.
Format
The 2016 Christy Ring Cup was played in a double-elimination format. For clarity, the draw details are detailed in each round below.
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
Teams
General Information
| County | Last Cup title | Last Provincial title | Last All-Ireland title | Position in 2015 Championship | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim | 2006 | 2015 | — | Group Stage (Leinster Senior Hurling Championship) | 2nd |
 Derry
|
— | 2001 | — | Runners-up | 11th |
 Down
|
2013 | 1997 | — | Semi-finals | 12th |
 Kildare
|
2014 | — | — | Semi-finals | 12th |
| London | 2012 | — | 1901 | Quarter-finals | 6th |
| Meath | — | — | — | Quarter-finals | 11th |
| Roscommon | — | 1913 | — | Champions (Nicky Rackard Cup) | 4th |
 Wicklow
|
— | — | — | Round 2 | 12th |
Personnel and kits
| County | Manager | Captain(s) | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
Round 1
All eight teams play in Round 1.
| 23 April 2016 Round 1 | Antrim | 3-20 - 0-17 | Kildare | Parnell Park, Dublin |
| C Clarke 2-10, J Dillon 1-0, C Carson, N McKenna, J Connolly 0-2 each, C Johnson, C McKinley, M Dudley, R McCambridge 0-1 each. | G Keegan 0-11, M Fitzgerald 0-2, M Grace, P Divilly, N Ó Muineacháin, B Byrne 0-1 each. |
| 23 April 2016 Round 1 | Down | 2-12 - 2-17 | London | McKenna Park, Ballycran |
| C Egan 2-0, D Toner 0-3fs, P Sheehan, C Woods (2fs) 0-2 each, C Taggart, J McGrath, S Nicholson, D Hughes, S Dineen 0-1 each. | Report | K O'Loughlin 1-7 (0-6fs), S O'Donnell 1-1, G Mahon, M Duggan 0-3, B Walsh, K Reid, D Roberts 0-1 each. | Referee: G McGrath (Wexford) |
| 23 April 2016 Round 1 | Meath | 3-18 - 2-12 | Wicklow | St. Loman's Park, Trim |
| G McGowan (2-2), N Heffernan (1-3), A Gannon (0-5, 2fs), S Morris (0-4), J Toher (0-3, 1f), M O'Grady (0-1). | Report | J Henderson (1-0), P Doran (1-0), D Staunton (0-3), M Lee (0-3, 2fs), C Moorhouse (0-2, 1f 1 65), D Masterson (0-2. 1f 1 65), E Kearns (0-1), G Weir (0-1). | Referee: J O'Brien (Tipperary) |
| 23 April 2016 Round 1 | Roscommon | 2-20 - 0-15 | Derry | Athleague Sportsfield |
| J Fallon 0-7 (4f, 1 sideline), C Egan 1-3 (1-2f), J Lawlor 1-0, T Featherston 0-3, A Moore, M Kelly, C Dolan, A Murphy, E Flanagan, T Seale, N Connaughton 0-1 each. | Report | R Convery 0-7 (6f), B Quigley, A Grant, S Farren 0-2 each, T McCloskey, M McGuigan 0-1 each. | Referee: J Keane (Galway) |
Round 2
Round 2A
Contested by the four winners of Round 1.
| 30 April 2016 Round 2A | Antrim | 2-14 - 1-12 | Roscommon | Pearse Park, Dunloy |
| C Clarke 0-7 (4fs), J Connolly 0-4, C Carson, N Elliott 1-0 each, E McCloskey, N McKenna, J Dillon 0-1 each. | Report | C Egan, J Fallon (3fs) 0-4 each, J Lawlor 1-0, C Dolan 0-3, M Kelly 0-1. | Referee: J Keane (Galway) |
| 31 April 2016 Round 2A | London | 1-16 - 2-17 | Meath | Emerald GAA Grounds, Ruislip |
| K O'Loughlin 0-6 (5fs), M Duggan 1-2, K Reid 0-4, M O'Dywer 0-2, D Roberts, P Phelan 0-1 each. | Report | A Gannon 1-5 (0-3fs), G McGowan 1-1, N Heffernan, J Toher (1f) 0-2 each, S Quigley, S Heavey, S McGann (f), S Brennan, D Healy, R Sherlock, K Keena 0-1 each. | Referee: D Hughes (Carlow) |
Round 2B
Contested by the four losers of Round 1.
| 30 April 2016 Round 2B | Wicklow | 0-9 - 0-17 | Kildare | Pearse Park, Arklow |
| C Moorhouse 0-8 (7fs), S Kelly 0-1 ('65'). | Report | G Keegan 0-10 (9fs), M Moloney, M Fitzgerald 0-2 each, S Gainey, R Bergin, N O'Muineacháin 0-1 each. | Referee: G McGrath (Wexford) |
| 30 April 2016 Round 2B | Derry | 1-15 - 1-18 | Down | Owenbeg |
| S Farren 0-8 (4fs), O McCloskey 1-0, R Convery 0-3 (2fs), Se McGuigan 0-2 , T McCloskey, P Cleary 0-1. | Report | B Byers 1-1, D Toner (2fs), O McManus 0-4 each A O'Prey 0-3, F Conway, J McGrath, C Woods (f), S Nicholson, P Sheehan (f), C O'Prey 0-1 each. | Referee: C Cunning (Antrim) |
Quarter-finals
The two losers of round 2A (who won a match and lost a match) play the two winners of round 2B (who lost a match and won a match). These two matches are referred to as quarter-finals.
| 7 May 2016 Quarter-final | Kildare | 1-17 - 0-15 | London | St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge |
| 14:00 | G Keegan 0-9(4f), M Delaney 1-1, J Byrne, P Cocoman and J Sheridan 0-2 each, M Fitzgerald 0-1. | Report | K O'Loughlin 0-7(6f), S O'Donnell and M O'Dwyer 0-3 each, C Hickey and M Duggan 0-1 each. |
| 7 May 2016 Quarter-final | Down | 1-14 - 1-7 | Roscommon | McKenna Park, Ballycran |
| 14:00 | C O’Prey (0-4, frees), D Toner (1-0), C Mageean (0-2), B Byers (0-2), S Nicholson (0-2), C Egan (0-1), O McManus (0-1), D Hughes (0-1), C Woods (0-1 free). | Report | N Connaughton (1-0), J Fallon (0-2, 0-1 free), J Lawlor (0-2), E Flanagan (0-2), T Fetherston (0-1). | Referee: D Hughes (Carlow) |
Semi-finals
The winners of round 2A play the winners of the two quarter-finals.
| 21 May 2016 Semi-final | Antrim | 1-24 - 0-23 | Down | St. Patrick's Park, Loughguile |
| C Clarke 0-16 (12f, 1 '65); C Carson 1-1; N McKenna 0-3; E McCloskey, J Dillon, E Campbell, Conor Johnston 0-1 each. | Report | D Toner 0-9 (5f); C Woods 0-4; C Taggart, D Hughes, C O'Prey (2f, 1 '65) 0-3 each; C Egan 0-1. | Referee: D Hughes (Carlow) |
| 22 May 2016 Semi-final | Kildare | 0-21 - 1-21 | Meath | St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge |
| G Keegan (9f, 1 '65) 0-12, M Delaney, M Fitzgerald 0-2 each; M Grace, P Cocoman, J Byrne, L Quinn and J Sheridan 0-1 each. | Report | J Toher (9f) 0-12, G McGowan 1-3; S Clynch 0-3; S Heavey, S Morris and N Heffernan 0-1 each. | Referee: J Keane (Galway) |
Final
The winners of this year's Christy Ring Cup final (tier 2) will be automatically promoted to play in the qualifier group of next year's Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.[4]
| 4 June 2016 Final | Meath | 2-17 - 1-20 | Antrim | Croke Park, Dublin |
| 17:30 | N Heffernan, S Quigley 1-1 each, J Toher 0-5 (5f), A Gannon, J Keena 0-3 each, K Keoghan 0-2, S Heavey, K Keena 0-1 each. | Report | C Johnston 1-2, C Clarke 0-5 (1f, 1 '65), J Connolly 0-4, E McCloskey, N McKenna 0-3 each, E Campbell, C McKinley, S McAfee 0-1 each. | Referee: J O'Brien (Tipperary) |
Controversy
During the final a point that wasn't actually scored was awarded to Meath on the official scoreboard. At the end of the match the score was recorded as Meath 2-18 Antrim 1-20 and the referee mistakenly confirmed this score. Meath were awarded the trophy. On 7 June 2016 the CCCC ruled that the final score was a draw, 2-17 to 1-20, and that the match should be replayed.[5][6]
Replayed Final
Charity donation
All proceeds from this game were donated to two charities nominated by Meath and Antrim.
| 25 June 2016 Replayed Final | Meath | 4-21 - 5-17 (AET) | Antrim | Croke Park, Dublin |
| J Toher 0-12 (0-11 fs); N Heffernan 2-0, S Clynch 1-3 (0-2 fs), G McGowan 1-0, A Gannon, S Quigley 0-2, S Morris, J Keena 0-1. | Report | C Clarke 1-5 (0-1 f; 0-1 65), N McKenna 1-5, C Johnston 1-2, D Hamill, J Connolly 1-0, D McKiernan 0-2, N Elliott, E Campbell, S McAfee 0-1. | Attendance: 2,938 Referee: C McAllister (Cork) |
Christy Ring/Nicky Rackard play-offs
Bottom play-off
Contested by the two losers from round 2B. Both these teams lost their first two matches.
| 21 May 2016 Bottom play-off | Wicklow | 2-23 - 0-15 | Derry | Páirc Esler, Newry |
| 3:30 pm | C Moorhouse (8fs) 1-11; D Staunton 1-3; D Masterson 0-4; M Lee 0-2; P Doran, T Storey, A Byrne 0-1 each. | Report | R Convery (6fs) 0-7; M McGuigan 0-3; J O'Dwyer, O McCloskey, M McGrath, D Foley, A Grant 0-1 each. | Referee: J O'Brien (Tipperary) |
Relegation/Promotion play-off
The bottom team in this year's Christy Ring Cup (tier 2) plays the winner of this year's Nicky Rackard Cup (tier 3). If the Nicky Rackard champions win the match, they are promoted to next year's Christy Ring Cup in the place of this year's bottom team.
| 11 June 2016 Play-off | Derry | 1-14 - 1-21 | Mayo | Seán O'Heslin Park, Ballinamore |
| R Convery (0-8, 5f), S Farren (1-3), A Grant (0-2), M McGrath (0-1). | Report | K Feeney (0-11, 8f), J McManus (0-4), D McTigue (1-0), S Regan (0-1), K McDermott (0-1), C Charlton (0-1), C Freeman (0-1), D Kenny (0-1), J Cotter (0-1). | Referee: J Keane |
Scoring statistics
- Overall
| Rank | Player | County | Tally | Total | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciarán Clarke | Antrim | 3-43 | 52 | 5 | 10.40 |
| 2 | Gerry Keegan | Kildare | 0-42 | 42 | 4 | 10.50 |
| 3 | James Toher | Meath | 0-34 | 34 | 5 | 6.80 |
| 4 | Ruairí Convery | Derry | 0-25 | 25 | 4 | 6.25 |
| 5 | Christy Moorehouse | Wicklow | 1-21 | 24 | 3 | 8.00 |
| 6 | Kevin O'Loughlin | London | 1-20 | 23 | 3 | 7.66 |
| 7 | Gavin McGowan | Meath | 5-6 | 21 | 5 | 4.20 |
| 8 | Danny Toner | Down | 2-13 | 19 | 4 | 4.75 |
| Neil Heffernan | Meath | 4-7 | 19 | 5 | 3.80 | |
| 10 | Adam Gannon | Meath | 1-15 | 18 | 5 | 3.60 |
- Top scorers in a single game
| Rank | Player | Team | Tally | Total | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciarán Clarke | Antrim | 2-10 | 16 | Kildare |
| Ciarán Clarke | Antrim | 0-16 | 16 | Down | |
| 3 | Christy Moorehouse | Wicklow | 1-11 | 14 | Derry |
| 4 | Gerry Keegan | Kildare | 0-12 | 12 | Meath |
| James Toher | Meath | 0-12 | 12 | Kildare | |
| James Toher | Meath | 0-12 | 12 | Antrim | |
| 7 | Gerry Keegan | Kildare | 0-11 | 11 | Antrim |
| Kenny Feeney | Mayo | 0-11 | 11 | Derry | |
| 9 | Kevin O'Loughlin | London | 1-7 | 10 | Down |
| Gerry Keegan | Kildare | 0-10 | 10 | Wicklow |
References
- ^ "Nolan inspires Kingdom to Ring Cup final win over Derry". GAA.ie. 6 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
- ^ Mooney, Francis (5 June 2016). "Scoreline controversy overshadows Royal win". GAA.ie. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ CCCC - Central Competitions Control Committee
- ^ See motion 24 passed at 2015 GAA Annual Congress 28 February 2015
- ^ "Confirmed: Christy Ring final between Meath and Antrim to be replayed". RTE Sport. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ "Antrim lose Christy Ring Cup final against Meath after claims of scoreline blunder". BBC. Retrieved 5 June 2016.