The 2008 Christy Ring Cup is the fourth edition of the Christy Ring Cup since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 2005 and is the second-tier of Hurling for senior county teams (the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship is the first-tier trophy). It is contested by twelve GAA county teams ranked 13–24 in the 2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.
| Dates | 2008 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | 12 | ||
| Champions | Carlow (1st title) | ||
| Runners-up | Westmeath | ||
| Relegated | Armagh, London, Meath, Roscommon | ||
| Tournament statistics | |||
| Matches played | 23 | ||
| |||
Carlow beat Westmeath in the final after extra time. Carlow were beaten by Laois the bottom team in the Liam MacCarthy Cup and played in the Christy Ring Cup again the following year as a result.
Team changes
editTo Championship
editRelegated from the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
- None
Promoted from the Nicky Rackard Cup
From Championship
editPromoted to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
- None
Relegated to the Nicky Rackard Cup
- None
Teams
editGeneral Information
edit| County | Last Cup title | Last Provincial title | Last All-Ireland title | Position in 2007 Championship | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Armagh
|
— | — | — | 1st | |
 Carlow
|
— | — | — | 4th | |
 Derry
|
— | 2001 | — | 3rd | |
 Down
|
— | 1997 | — | 4th | |
 Kerry
|
— | 1891 | 1891 | 4th | |
 Kildare
|
— | — | — | 4th | |
 London
|
— | — | 1901 | 3rd | |
 Mayo
|
— | 1909 | — | 4th | |
| Meath
|
— | — | — | 4th | |
 Roscommon
|
— | 1913 | — | 3rd | |
 Westmeath
|
2007 | — | — | 3rd | |
| Wicklow
|
— | — | — | 4th |
Personnel and kits
edit| County | Manager | Captain(s) | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
Format
editTwelve teams participated in the 2008 Christy Ring Cup.
- Group 2A: Roscommon, Westmeath, Wicklow
- Group 2B: Carlow, Down, London
- Group 2C: Kerry, Mayo, Meath
- Group 2D: Armagh, Derry, Kildare
Each team in the group played each other once in the first phase. The top two teams in each group advanced to the quarter-finals. The bottom team in each group went into the relegation play-offs.
Group stage
editGroup 2A
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | SF | SA | Diff | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wicklow
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4–39 | 1–27 | +21 | 4 | Advance to Knockout Stage |
| 2 | Westmeath
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4–38 | 1–31 | +16 | 2 | |
| 3 | Roscommon
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0–25 | 6–44 | −37 | 0 |
Matches
edit| 29 June 2008 | Westmeath | 3–23 – 0–13 | Roscommon | Cusack Park |
| J Shaw 1–5, A Mitchell 0–5, R Jackson 0–5, B Murtagh 0–4, D McNicholas 1–0, P Dowdall 1–0, E Price 0–2, D McCormack 0–1, L Smyth 0–1. | S Curley 0–3, G Fallon 0–3, M Connaughton 0–3, A Cunniffe 0–1, T Seale 0–1, T Lennon 0–1, J Moran 0–1. | Referee: A Kelly (Galway) |
| 5 July 2008 | Roscommon | 0–12 – 3–21 | Wicklow | Athleague Sportsfield |
| S Curley 0–3, M Connaughton 0–2, B Kelly 0–2, M Kelly 0–2, S Sweeney 0–2, G Fallon 0–1. | J O’Neill 1–11, T Collins 1–1, E Furlong 1–1, D Hyland 0–3, S Kinsella 0–2, J Murphy 0–1, R Keddy 0–1, A Shanahan 0–1. | Referee: T Ryan (Tipperary) |
| 12 July 2008 | Wicklow | 1–18 – 1–15 | Westmeath | Pearse Park |
| J O’Neill 0–9, D Hyland 0–5, S Kinsella 1–1, E Furlong 0–2, A Shanahan 0–1, | B Murtagh 0–6, L Smyth 1–1, D Curley 0–2, A Mitchell 0–1, B Smyth 0–1, J Shaw 0–1, B Connaughton 0–1, E Price 0–1, R Jackson 0–1. | Referee: A Stapleton (Laois) |
Group 2B
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | SF | SA | Diff | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Down
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4–38 | 2–27 | +17 | 4 | Advance to Knockout Stage |
| 2 | Carlow
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2–43 | 4–22 | +15 | 2 | |
| 3 | London
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3–17 | 3–49 | −32 | 0 |
Matches
edit| 28 June 2008 | Carlow | 2–24 – 1–9 | London | Dr. Cullen Park |
| R Foley 1–3, C Doyle 1–2, M Brennan 0–5, C Hughes 0–5, S Kavanagh 0–3, J Coady 0–2, D Roberts 0–1, A Brennan 0–1, D Murphy 0–1, J Hickey 0–1. | M Mythern 1–1, M Finn 0–4, C McDonnell 0–2, A Comerford 0–1, N Healy 0–1, | Referee: S Whelan (Wexford) |
| 5 July 2008 | London | 2–8 – 1–25 | Down | Emerald GAA Grounds |
| K McMullen 0–5, I Walshe 1–1, M Mythen 1–0, N Healy 0–1, S Malone 0–1 | P Branniff 0–10, B McGourty 0–6, G Johnston 1–2, A Savage 0–3, R McGrattan 0–1, K Courtney 0–1, K McGarry 0–1, S Clarke 0–1. | Referee: O Elliott (Antrim) |
| 12 July 2008 | Down | 3–13 – 0–19 | Carlow | Páirc Esler |
| P Braniff 2–5, G Johnson 1–4, B McGourty 0–2, K Courtney 0–1, C Woods 0–1. | C Hughes 0–9, S Kavanagh 0–3, R Dunbar 0–3, C Doyle 0–2, J Coady 0–1, M Brennan 0–1. | Referee: R Matthews (Antrim) |
Group 2C
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | SF | SA | Diff | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kerry
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7–26 | 4–31 | +4 | 2 | Advance to Knockout Stage |
| 2 | Mayo
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0–30 | 0–31 | −1 | 2 | |
| 3 | Meath
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4–29 | 7–23 | −3 | 2 |
Matches
edit| 28 June 2008 | Meath | 0–16 – 0–12 | Mayo | Páirc Tailteann |
| N Hackett 0–8, S Clynch 0–3, M Burke 0–2, T Fox 0–1, D Crimmins 0–1, G O'Neill 0–1. | A Freeman 0–9, K Higgins 0–2, D McConn 0–1. | Referee: B Murphy (Cavan) |
| 5 July 2008 | Mayo | 0–18 – 0–15 | Kerry | McHale Park |
| A Freeman 0–9, K Higgins 0–4, P Higgins 0–2, D McConn 0–2, D McDonnell 0–1. | M Conway 0–8, L Boyle 0–3, B Brick 0–2, M Quilter 0–1, J O’Brien 0–1. | Referee: T Carroll (Offaly) |
| 12 July 2008 | Kerry | 7–11 – 4–13 | Meath | Austin Stack Park |
| M Conway 3–3, B Brick 2–2, L Boyle 1–2, M Boyle 1–2, J Griffin 0–1, J Egan 0–1. | S Clynch 2–2, M Cole 1–1, N Hackett 0–4, A Snow 1–0, G O’Neill 0–3, N Horan 0–3. | Referee: G Hoey (Clare) |
Group 2D
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | SF | SA | Diff | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kildare
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7–44 | 1–25 | +37 | 4 | Advance to Knockout Stage |
| 2 | Derry
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5–26 | 7–34 | −14 | 2 | |
| 3 | Armagh
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5–19 | 9–30 | −23 | 0 |
Matches
edit| 28 June 2008 | Kildare | 2–28 – 1–12 | Derry | St. Conleth's Park |
| A McAndrew 0–5, T Murphy 1–1, K Divilly 1–1, T Byrne 0–4, M Divilly 0–3, M Dowd 0–3, C Buggy 0–3, R Hoban 0–3, M Moloney 0–2, D Harney 0–1, P Divilly 0–1, B White 0–1. | O McCloskey 0–5, S Dodds 1–0, M Craig 0–2, P Henry 0–2, K Hinphey 0–1, N Holly 0–1, D Brunton 0–1. | Referee: N Cosgrove (Tipperary) |
| 5 July 2008 | Derry | 4–14 – 5–6 | Armagh | Celtic Park |
| R Convery 1–9, S Dodds 1–1, P Henry 1–0, M Craig 1–0, K Hinphey 0–2, S Henry 0–1, O McCloskey 0–1, | G Enright 1–5, J Corvan 2–0, F Bradley 1–0, C Carville 1–0, M Mone 0–1. | Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim) |
| 12 July 2008 | Armagh | 0–13 – 5–16 | Kildare | Athletic Grounds |
| G Enright 0–6, B McCann 0–3, C McAlinden 0–2, M Mone 0–1, F Bradley 0–1. | M Divilly 2–2, A McAndrew 1–2, R Hoban 0–4, A Murphy 0–3, N Dolan 1–0, D Harney 1–0, O Lynch 0–2, C Everett 0–1, C Bogey 0–1, P Divilly 0–1. | Referee: M Haverty (Galway) |
Knockout stage
editQuarter-finals
edit| 19 July 2008 Quarter-final | Wicklow | 1–22 – 3–18 (aet) | Mayo | Aughrim Park |
| J O’Neill 0–8, D Hyland 0–4, S Kinsella 1–0, R Keddy 0–3, J Murphy 0–3, T Collins 0–2, G Bermingham 0–1, E Furlong 0–1. | Report | K Higgins 0–9, A Freeman 1–3, S Broderick 1–1, D McConn 1–0, D McConnell 0–3, P Higgins 0–1, E Madigan 0–1. | Referee: D Connolly (Kilkenny) |
| 19 July 2008 Quarter-final | Down | 0–18 – 1–20 | Derry | Páirc Esler |
| P Braniff 0–7, B McGourty 0–2 , S Wilson 0–2, G Johnson 0–2, S Clarke 0–1, E Trainor 0–1, A Savage 0–1, B Ennis 0–1, E Clarke 0–1. | M Kirkpatrick 0–11, P McCloskey 1–1, SL McGoldrick 0–3, K Hinphey 0–2, O McCloskey 0–1, N Holly 0–1, B Dodds 0–1. | Referee: F Smith (Meath) |
| 19 July 2008 Quarter-final | Kerry | 2–4 – 1–14 | Carlow | Austin Stack Park |
| M Conway 1–3, B Brick 1–0, L Boyle 0–1. | C Hughes 0–5, C Doyle 1–0, R Dunbar 0–3, S Kavanagh 0–2, D Roberts 0–1, A Brennan 0–1, J Coady 0–1, M Brennan 0–1. | Referee: D O'Driscoll (Limerick) |
| 19 July 2008 Quarter-final | Kildare | 3–13 – 2–22 | Westmeath | St. Conleth's Park |
| O Lynch 1–7, T Murphy 1–2, A McAndrew 1–0, M Moloney 0–2, R Hoban 0–1, P Divilly 0–1. | B Murtagh 0–11, A Mitchell 1–1, P Dowdall 1–1, P Clarke 0–3, D McNicholas 0–2, J Shaw 0–1, D McCormack 0–1, E Price 0–1. | Referee: J Owens (Wexford) |
Semi-finals
edit| 26 July 2008 Semi-final | Westmeath | 1–19 – 0–12 | Derry | Cusack Park |
| D. McNicholas 1–4, B. Murtagh 0–6, P. Clarke, R. Jackson, A. Mitchell and J. Shaw 0–2 each, E Price 0–1. | Report | M. Kirkpatrick 0–6, R. Convery 0–3, P. McCloskey 0–2 and O. McCloskey 0–1. |
| 26 July 2008 Semi-final | Mayo | 0–17 – 1–16 | Carlow | McHale Park |
| A Freeman 0–8, K Higgins 0–4, S Barrett 0–1, N Murphy 0–1, M Cunnane 0–1, S Broderick 0–1, D McConn 0–1. | Report | S Kavanagh 0–4 (1 '65 3 frees ), J Rogers 1–0, R Dunbar 0–3, C Doyle 0–3, C Hughes 0–2 (frees ), J Coady 0–2, R Foley 0–1, M Brennan 0–1. | Referee: A Barrett (Galway) |
Final
edit| 3 August 2008 Final | Carlow | 3–22 – 4–16 | Westmeath | O'Connor Park |
| C Doyle (2–1), C Hughes (0–7, 0-4f), R Foley (1–1), S Kavanagh (0–4, 0-3f), R Dunbar (0–3), M Brennan (0–2), A Gaul (0–1), R Coady (0–1), D Roberts (0–1). | Report | B Murtagh (2–10, 0-07f), D McNicholas (1–1), J Shaw (1–0), E Price (0–3), S Murphy (0–1), L Smyth (0–1), P Greville (0–1). | Referee: N Cosgrove (Tipperary) |
Relegation play-offs
editDue to a restructuring of the hurling championships the following year, the relegation playoffs were subsequently rendered meaningless as all four teams involved were relegated to the Nicky Rackard Cup for 2009.
| 26 July 2008 Quarter-final | Armagh | 0–15 – 1–9 | London | Parnell Park |
| G Enright 0–6, B McCormack 0–5, K Christie 0–2, J Corvan 0–1, C Carville 0–1. | M Mythen 1–2, M Finn 0–4, B McCormack 0–2, K McMullen 0–1. | Referee: G Duffy (Antrim) |
| 26 July 2008 Quarter-final | Roscommon | 3–6 – 3–19 | Meath | Cusack Park |
| T Reddington 1–2, M Connaughton 1–1, G Fallon 1–1, S Sweeney 0–2. | G O’Neill 2–4, N Horan 1–7, K Fagan 0–2, C Dunphy 0–2, M Burke 0–2, K Dowd 0–1, N Kirby 0–1. | Referee: T Carroll (Offaly) |
| 2 August 2008 Semi-final | London | 3–16 – 3–12 | Roscommon | O'Moore Park |
| K McMullen 1–7, B McCormack 1–3, N O’Grady 1–1, C McDonnell 0–2, M Mythen 0–1, M Comerford 0–1, M O’Sullivan 0–1. | T Reddington 2–1, S Sweeney 0–6, D Loughnane 1–0, M Kelly 0–1, M Keaveney 0–1, B Kelly 0–1, G Waldron 0–1, M Connaughton 0–1. | Referee: D Connolly (Kilkenny) |
| 9 August 2008 Final | Roscommon | 1–17 – 1–13 | Sligo | Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada |
| S Sweeney 0–5, M Kelly 0–5, S Curley 0–4, T Reddington 1–0, J Moran 0–1, L Casey 0–1, B Hanley 0–1. | C Herity 0–6, K Raymond 0–5, D Burke 1–1, L Reidy 0–1. | Referee: E Hassen (Derry) |
Stadia and locations
editChampionship statistics
editTop scorers
editOverall
edit| Rank | Player | County | Tally | Total | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendan Murtagh | Westmeath | 2–37 | 43 | 5 | 8.60 |
| 2 | Alan Freeman | Mayo | 1–29 | 32 | 4 | 8.00 |
| 3 | Jonathan O'Neill | Wicklow | 0–31 | 31 | 3 | 10.33 |
| 4 | Paul Braniff | Down | 2–22 | 28 | 3 | 9.33 |
| 5 | Mike Conway | Kerry | 4–14 | 26 | 4 | 6.50 |
Single game
edit| Rank | Player | County | Tally | Total | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendan Murtagh | Westmeath | 2–10 | 16 | Carlow |
| 2 | Jonathan O'Neill | Wicklow | 1–11 | 14 | Roscommon |
| 3 | Mike Conway | Kerry | 3–3 | 12 | Meath |
| Ruairí Convery | Derry | 1–9 | 12 | Armagh | |
| 5 | Paul Braniff | Down | 2–5 | 11 | Carlow |
| Michael Kirkpatrick | Derry | 0–11 | 11 | Down | |
| Brendan Murtagh | Westmeath | 0–11 | 11 | Kildare | |
| 8 | Ger O'Neill | Meath | 2–4 | 10 | Roscommon |
| Kevin McMullen | London | 1–7 | 10 | Roscommon | |
| Oisín Lynch | Kildare | 1–7 | 10 | Westmeath | |
| Paul Braniff | Down | 0–10 | 10 | Carlow |
Miscellaneous
edit- Carlow won their 1st championship in 16 years, winning the 1992 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship.