Carlow Junior Hurling Championship

Carlow Junior Hurling Championship
IrishCraobh Sóisearach Iomáint Cheatharlach
CodeHurling
Founded1960; 64 years ago (1960)
Region Carlow (GAA)
TrophyMartin Grennan Cup
No. of teams7
Title holders Burren Rangers (1st title)
SponsorsJJ Kavanagh and Sons
Official websiteCarlow GAA

The Carlow Junior Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Junior Hurling Championship and abbreviated to the Carlow JHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Carlow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association for the third tier hurling teams in the county of Carlow in Ireland.

In its current format, the Carlow Intermediate Championship begins with a group stage. The six participating club teams play each other in a round-robin system. The four top-ranking teams proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at Netwatch Cullen Park.

Burren Rangers are the title holders after defeating Mount Leinster Rangers by 1-18 to 2-10 in the 2024 final.[1][2]

History

When Carlow's top tier hurling competition was granted senior status in 1960, a new Junior Hurling Championship was created. This was Carlow's second tier competition until 1984 when it became the third tier competition after the creation of the Intermediate Hurling Championship.[3]

Format

Group stage

Seven clubs start in the group stage. Over the course of the group stage, each team plays once against the others in the group, resulting in each team being guaranteed six group games and one bye round. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the group stage table by points gained, then scoring difference and then their head-to-head record. The top four teams qualify for the knockout stage.[4]

Knockout stage

Semi-finals: The top four teams from the group stage contest this round. First place plays fourth place and second place plays third place. The two winners from these two games advance to the final.

Final: The two semi-final winners contest the final. The winning team are declared champions.

Promotion

At the end of the championship, the winning team is automatically promoted to the Carlow Intermediate Hurling Championship for the following season.

Teams

2024 teams

Club Location Colours Position in 2024
Ballinkillen Ballinkillin Blue and gold Semi-finals
Burren Rangers Kilbride White and green Champions
Carlow Town Carlow White and blue Champions (Shield)
Mount Leinster Rangers Borris Black and red Runners-up
Naomh Bríd Leighlinbridge Maroon and white Runners-up (Shield)
Naomh Eoin Myshall Black and yellow Group stage
St Mullin's St Mullin's Green and white Semi-finals

Qualification for subsequent competitions

At the end of the championship, the winning team qualify to the subsequent Leinster Junior Club Hurling Championship.

Trophy and medals

The Martin Grennan Cup is the current prize for winning the championship.[5] It was presented in June 2023 in memory of Martin Grennan who was a member of the St Mullin's club. Joint-captains Ian St Ledger and Pádraig Ryan from the Kildavin/Clonegal club were the first recipients of the cup. In accordance with GAA rules, the County Board awards a set of gold medals to the championship winners.

List of finals

List of Carlow JHC finals

Year Winners Runners-up Venue #
Club Score Club Score
2024 Burren Rangers 1-18 Mount Leinster Rangers 2-10 Netwatch Cullen Park
2023 Kildavin/Clonegal 1-18 Mount Leinster Rangers 1-07 Netwatch Cullen Park [6]
2022 St Mullin's 3-09 Burren Rangers 2-07 Netwatch Cullen Park [7]
2021
2020 Ballinkillen
2013–2020
2012 Ballinkillen
2009–2011
2008 Ballinkillen
2006–2007
2005 Ballinkillen
2004 Carlow Town
2002–2003
2001 Palatine
2000
1999 Carlow Town
1998 Ballinkillen
1991–1997
1990 Palatine
1989
1988 Carlow Town
1984–1987
1983 Palatine
1980–1982
1979 Carlow Town
1972–1978
1971 Ballinkillen
1970 Palatine
1966–1969
1965 Palatine
1960–1964

See also

References

  1. ^ "Years of hurt forgotten as Burren finally land Junior Hurling title". Carlow Nationalist. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Hurling: Burren mine out magnificent performance to take Junior Hurling Championship honours". Left Wing Back website. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Hurling: Tier two roll of honour". Left Wing Back website. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  4. ^ "JJ Kavanagh & Sons Junior Hurling Championship" (PDF). Carlow GAA website. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Perennial rivals drawn together in first round of JJ Kavanagh & Sons Senior Hurling Championship". Carlow Nationalist. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  6. ^ ""We're back" Kildavin Clonegal Padraig Ryan emotional after Junior Championship win". Score Line. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  7. ^ "LIVE: Burren Rangers v St. Mullins, Carlow junior hurling championship final". Scoreline. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2024.