Girish Mahajan (Editor)

2012 National Hurling League

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Teams
  
34

Captain
  
Eoin Larkin

Runners-up
  
Cork

Winners
  
Kilkenny (15th win)

Manager
  
Brian Cody

Dates
  
25 February – 6 May 2012

The 2012 National Hurling League commenced in February 2012. 34 GAA county hurling teams: 32 from Ireland (including Fingal but not Cavan), London and Warwickshire, contested it.

Contents

On 6 May Kilkenny defeated Cork in the final to win their 15th NHL title, moving them to second place in the all-time roll of honour, behind Tipperary who have won 19 Leagues.

Format

The 2012 format was originally to consist of five divisions: Divisions 1 and 2 having eight teams in each, Division 3A six, Division 3B seven, and six teams in Division 4.

However, this was controversially altered to a system of six divisions, with six teams in divisions 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 3A, and four in division 3B. This meant that many counties were effectively relegated to a lower division. It was agreed in October 2011 that here will no longer be an eight team Division 1, with the top division hurling counties giving their approval to the new system. The league settings are as follows:

  • Division 1A: Top three teams qualify for NHL semi-finals. Bottom two teams play a relegation playoff, with the losing team relegated.
  • Division 1B: Top two teams play division final, with the winner being promoted and qualifying for NHL semi-final. Bottom two teams play a relegation playoff, with the losing team relegated.
  • Division 2A: Top two teams play division final, with the winner being promoted. Bottom two teams play a relegation playoff, with the losing team relegated.
  • Division 2B: Top two teams play division final, with the winner being promoted. No relegation.
  • Division 3A: Top two teams play division final, but the winner is not promoted. Bottom two teams play a relegation playoff, with the losing team relegated.
  • Division 3B: Top two teams play division final, with the winner being promoted.

    • Division 1A

      NHL finalists   Relegated team

  • Waterford are placed ahead of Galway as they won the head-to-head match between the teams.

    • Top scorers

    Season
    Single game

    Division 1B

      Division champions and promoted team   Relegated team

  • Antrim are placed ahead of Wexford as they won the head-to-head match between the teams.

    • Top scorers

    Season
    Single game

    Division 2A

      Division champions and promoted team   Relegated team

    Top scorers

    Season
    Single game

    Division 2B

      Division champions and promoted team

  • London are placed ahead of Armagh because they won the head-to-head game between the teams.

    • Division 3A

      Division champions (not promoted)   Relegated team

    Fixtures and results

    The Monaghan team gave a walkover after a dispute with the county board, who had refused to reschedule Gaelic football club games to allow their players to rest for the final.

    Division 3B

      Division champions and promoted team

    Broadcasting rights

    Setanta Sports and TG4 provided live coverage of matches in Ireland with RTÉ providing highlights on Sunday nights. The finals were all shown live on TG4. Setanta Sports broadcasts live matches in Australia. Setanta Sports also provides matches from the National Hurling League in Asia.

    References

    2012 National Hurling League Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA