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.
Contents
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:
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 MacCarthy 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.
Relegation Final
Relegation final
Knockout Stages
Semi-finals
Final