Teams 34 | ||
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
- Format
- Division 1A
- Top scorers
- Division 1B
- Division 2A
- Division 2B
- Division 3A
- Fixtures and results
- Division 3B
- Broadcasting rights
- References
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
NHL finalists Relegated team
Top scorers
Season
Single game
Division 1B
Division champions and promoted team Relegated team
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
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.