Teams 34 | ||
Dates 13 February – 8 May 2016 Captain | ||
The 2016 National Hurling League was the 85th season of the National Hurling League for inter-county hurling teams since its establishment in 1925. The fixtures were announced on 16 November 2015. The season began on 13 February 2016, and finished on 8 May 2016.
Contents
- Format
- Division 1
- Structure
- Division 1A Table
- Division 1B Table
- Statistics
- Division 2A
- Table
- Division 2B
- Division 3A
- Division 3B
- References
Waterford came into the season as defending champions of the 2015 season. Kerry entered Division 1 as the promoted team from the 2015 season.
Clare won the title for the first time since 1978 after a 1-23 to 2-19 win against Waterford in a replay.
Format
League structure
Thirty four teams compete in the 2016 NHL – six teams in the top five divisions (Divisions 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B & 3A) and four teams in Division 3B. Thirty one county teams from Ireland take part (Cavan do not). Fingal, London and Warwickshire complete the lineup.
Each team plays all the other teams in their division once, either home or away. 2 points are awarded for a win, and 1 for a draw.
Tie-breaker
Finals, promotions and relegations
Division 1
Waterford came into the season as defending champions of the 2015 season. Kerry entered Division 1 as the promoted team.
On 8 May 2016, Clare won the title following a 1-23 to 2-19 win over Waterford in a replay of the final. It was their first league title since 1978 and their fourth National League title overall.
Galway, who actually finished above Cork, were relegated from Division 1A after losing the relegation play-off to Cork by 2-22 to 0-25. Clare, who were undefeated in Division 1B, secured promotion to the top tier.
Kilkenny's T. J. Reid was the Division 1 top scorer with 2-61. Clare's Patrick Kelly was the top goalkeeper having kept 4 clean sheets.
Structure
The 12 teams in Division 1 were divided into two groups of six teams named Division 1A and Division 1B. Each team played all the others in its group once. Two points were awarded for a win and 1 for a draw. The first four teams in 1A and 1B advanced to the league quarter-finals with the top team in Division 1A playing the fourth team in Division 1B, the second team in Division 1A playing the third in Division 1B, etc.
Division 1A Table
NHL runners-up Relegated team
Division 1B Table
NHL champions
Statistics
Division 2A
On 26 March 2016, Westneath won the title after a 0-10 to0-8 win over Carlow. It was their first league title since 2008 when they claimed the Division 2 title in the old system.
London's Kevin O'Loughlin was the Division 2A top scorer with 3-37.
Table
Division 2A Champion Relegated to Division 2B
Statistics
Division 2B
On 26 March 2016, Armagh won the title after a 0-20 to 1-15 win over Down. It was their first league title since 2006 when they claimed the Division 3 title in the old system. The victory also secured promotion to Division 2A for 2017.
Armagh's Ryan Gaffney was the Division 2B top scorer with 0-53.
Table
Champions and promoted team Possible relegation
Statistics
Division 3A
On 26 March 2016, Roscommon won the title after a 4-15 to 0-7 win over Monaghan. It was their first league title since 2011 when they claimed the Division 3B title in the old system. The victory also secured automatic promotion to Division 2B for 2017.
At the other end of the table, Warwickshire were relegated after losing all five of their group stage games. They had secured promotion in 2015 but will return to Division 3B in 2017.
Tyrone's Damien Casey was the Division 3A top scorer with 2-52. Roscommon's Noel Fallon was the top goalkeeper having kept 3 clean sheets.
Table
Champions and possible promotion Relegated team
Statistics
Division 3B
On 26 March 2016, Fermanagh won the title after a 2-13 to 3-8 win over Longford. It was their first league title since 2013 when they also claimed the Division 3B title.
Longford's Joe O'Brien was the Division 3B top scorer with 3-22. Longford's Reuben Murray was the top goalkeeper having kept one clean sheet.
Table
Champion and possible promotion