Teams 32 Captain Peter Barry Runners-up Clare | Winners Kilkenny (12th win) Manager Brian Cody | |
Dates 20 February – 7 May 2005 | ||
The 2005 National Hurling League, known for sponsorship reasons as the Allianz National Hurling League, was the 74th edition of the National Hurling League (NHL), an annual hurling competition for the GAA county teams. Kilkenny won the league, beating Clare in the final.
Contents
Division 1
There are 12 teams in Division 1, divided into 1A and 1B. Each team plays all the others in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw.
Each team in Section 1 plays the other three teams that it did not play in the first five games. The top two teams go into the NHL final – only points earned in these last three games count. Each team in Section 2 plays the other three teams that it did not play in the first five games. The bottom team is relegated – only points earned in these last three games count.
Division 2
There are 10 teams in Division 2, divided into 2A and 2B. Each team plays all the others in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw.
Each team in Section 1 plays the other three teams that it did not play in the first four games. The top two teams go into the Division 2 final – only points earned in these last three games count. Final winners are promoted. Each team in Section 2 plays the other two teams that it did not play in the first four games. The bottom team is relegated – only points earned in these last two games count.
Division 3
There are 10 teams in Division 3, divided into 3A and 3B. Each team plays all the others in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw.
Each team in Section 1 plays the other three teams that it did not play in the first four games. The top two teams go into the Division 3 final – only points earned in these last three games count. Final winners are promoted. Each team in Section 2 plays the other two teams that it did not play in the first four games. The top two play the Division 3 Shield Final.
Division 1
Brian Cody won his third league title in four seasons with Kilkenny, as 'the Cats' recorded just a single defeat in the entire league. Clare, who were league runners-up, also suffered just one defeat in the group stages, however, they fell to Kilkenny in the final.
Down at the other end of the table, Dublin and Down went through the group stages without a single victory. A relegation group of six teams meant that 'the Dubs' ended up at the bottom and faced relegation for the following season.
Division 2
Offaly won the Division 2 title after recording just one defeat throughout the group stages, thus returning to the top flight having been relegated the previous year. Runners-up Carlow also faced only one defeat throughout the group stages until the last day of the league when they were defeated in the final by Offaly. Going down were Sligo who only had a draw with Wicklow to show for their entire campaign.
Division 3
Mayo and Donegal qualified for the league final in this division with Mayo winning promotion. Cavan, having failed to win a single game in the group stage, finished bottom of Division 3B and could thus be regarded as the worst team of all the divisions.