Founded 2009–present Level on pyramid 4 Current champions Louth
(2016) | Number of teams 5 Promotion to Nicky Rackard Cup | |
Country Ireland (3 teams)
England (2 teams) | ||
The Lory Meagher Cup (often referred to as the Meagher Cup) is the fourth-highest inter-county senior championship in hurling. Each year, the champion team in the Lory Meagher Cup has the choice to be promoted to the Nicky Rackard Cup.
The Lory Meagher Cup, which was introduced for the 2009 season, is the latest initiative in providing a meaningful championship for fourth tier teams deemed "too weak" for the third tier Nicky Rackard Cup.
The winners of the championship receive the Lory Meagher Cup, named after former Kilkenny hurler Lory Meagher who many regard as one of the greatest hurlers of all time.
In the 2015 season, Fermanagh were the Lory Meagher Cup champions, Sligo were the runners up. Lancashire finished bottom of the group.
History
Following the success of the Christy Ring Cup and Nicky Rackard Cup for the lower tier hurling teams, it was decided in 2008 to investigate the possibility of introducing a fourth tier. The Hurling Development Committee (HDC) proposed the new four-tier structure in place of the existing three-tier model. It, and the second and third-tier competitions, were to consist of eight teams. The proposals were accepted at a special GAA Congress in October 2008.