2018 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

The 2018 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was the 131st staging of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1887. It is the first tier of senior inter-county championship hurling.[1]

2018 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Championship details
Dates12 May – 19 August 2018
Teams12
All-Ireland champions
Winning teamLimerick (8th win)
CaptainDeclan Hannon
ManagerJohn Kiely
All-Ireland Finalists
Losing teamGalway
CaptainDavid Burke
ManagerMicheál Donoghue
Provincial champions
MunsterCork
LeinsterGalway
UlsterNot Played
ConnachtNot Played
Championship statistics
No. matches played27
Top ScorerBorder Peter Duggan (3-76)
Player of the YearBorder Cian Lynch
All-Star TeamSee here
2017
2019

The championship began on 12 May 2018 and ended on 19 August 2018. The draw for the championship round-robin fixtures was held off camera on 19 October 2017 and announced on the championship draw broadcast on RTÉ2.[2][3]

The Championship was won by Limerick, who were crowned champions after overcoming Galway in the final by a score line of 3–16 to 2-18.[4] Limerick's victory was their eighth All-Ireland title and first since 1973.[4][5]

The 2018 Championship has been described by many as one of the best ever.[6][7][8][9]

The 2018 championship saw the biggest change in format since the introduction of the qualifiers in 2002.[10]

New format edit

A new provincial hurling championship featuring five-team round-robin groups in both Leinster and Munster and the new Joe McDonagh Cup was introduced in 2018 for an initial three-year period. The proposal was carried by a narrow margin with 62% voting in favour (a majority of at least 60% was required) at the GAA's Special Congress on 30 September 2017. The top two teams in each provincial group would contest the provincial final, with the provincial winners advancing to the All-Ireland semi-finals and the losing provincial finalists advancing to the two quarter-finals.[11]

An amendment to the motion from Laois, Offaly and Meath was carried by 87%. The third-placed teams in Leinster and Munster would compete in All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals against the two Joe McDonagh Cup finalists, with the Joe McDonagh Cup teams having home advantage.

If a non-Munster team were to win the Joe McDonagh Cup, the bottom team in the Leinster championship would be relegated to the following year's Joe McDonagh Cup and would be replaced in the following year's Leinster championship by the Joe McDonagh Cup winners. If a Munster team were to win the Joe McDonagh Cup, they would play off against the team who finished bottom in the Munster championship for the right to play in the following year's Munster championship, thereby ensuring that only Munster teams compete in the Munster championship.[12]

The restructure of hurling involved the reduction of the Leinster championship from nine teams to five while the Munster championship continued with the previous five Munster teams (Kerry previously competed in the qualifier group of the Leinster championship). A six-team Joe McDonagh Cup was created, consisting of all four teams from the 2017 Leinster qualifier group plus Antrim and Carlow, the 2017 Christy Ring Cup finalists.

Leinster Championship edit

Participating counties (5): Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Offaly, Wexford

Group stage (10 matches): Each team plays each other once. The 1st and 2nd placed teams advance to the Leinster final and the 3rd placed team advances to the all-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals. All other teams are eliminated from the championship and the bottom placed team may face relegation to next years Joe McDonagh Cup.

Final (1 match): The top 2 teams in the group stage contest this game. The Leinster champions advance to the All-Ireland semi-finals and the Leinster runners-up advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Munster Championship edit

Participating counties (5): Clare, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford

Group stage (10 matches): Each team plays each other once. The 1st and 2nd placed teams advance to the Munster final and the 3rd placed team advances to the all-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals. All other teams are eliminated from the championship and the bottom placed team may face relegation to next years Joe McDonagh Cup.

Final (1 match): The top 2 teams in the group stage contest this game. The Munster champions advance to the All-Ireland semi-finals and the Munster runners-up advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Joe McDonagh Cup edit

Participating counties (6): Antrim, Carlow, Kerry, Laois, Meath, Westmeath

Group stage (15 matches): Each team plays each other once. The 1st and 2nd placed teams advance to the Joe McDonagh Cup final. All other teams are eliminated from the championship and the bottom placed team are relegated to next years Christy Ring Cup.

Final (1 match): The top 2 teams in the group stage contest this game. The Joe McDonagh Cup champions and runners-up advance to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals.

All-Ireland Championship edit

Preliminary quarter-finals (2 matches): The 3rd placed teams from the Leinster and Munster championships play the Joe McDonagh Cup champions and runners-up. Two teams are eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the quarter-finals.

Quarter-finals (2 matches): The winners of the preliminary quarter-finals join the Leinster and Munster runners-up to make up the quarter-final pairings. Teams who may have already met in the provincial championships are kept apart in separate quarter-finals. Two teams are eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the semi-finals.

Semi-finals (2 matches): The winners of the quarter-finals join the Leinster and Munster champions to make up the semi-final pairings. Teams who may have already met in the provincial championships are kept apart in separate semi-finals where possible. Two teams are eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the final.

Final (1 match): The two winners of the semi-finals contest this game.

Team changes edit

To Championship edit

Promoted from the Christy Ring Cup

From Championship edit

Relegated to the Christy Ring Cup

  • None

Teams edit

General information edit

Sixteen counties will compete in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: five teams in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, five teams in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship and six teams in the Joe McDonagh Cup.

County Last provincial title Last championship title Position in 2017 championship Current championship
  Antrim 2017 Runners-up (Christy Ring Cup) Joe McDonagh Cup
  Carlow Preliminary round Joe McDonagh Cup
  Clare 1998 2013 Quarter-finals Munster Senior Hurling Championship
  Cork 2017 2005 Semi-finals Munster Senior Hurling Championship
  Dublin 2013 1938 Round 2 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
  Galway 2017 2017 Champions Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
  Kerry 1891 1891 Group Stage (Leinster Senior Hurling Championship) Joe McDonagh Cup
  Kilkenny 2016 2015 Round 2 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
  Laois 1949 1915 Round 1 Joe McDonagh Cup
  Limerick 2013 1973 Round 1 Munster Senior Hurling Championship
  Meath Group Stage (Leinster Senior Hurling Championship) Joe McDonagh Cup
  Offaly 1995 1998 Round 1 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
  Tipperary 2016 2016 Semi-finals Munster Senior Hurling Championship
  Waterford 2010 1959 Runners-up Munster Senior Hurling Championship
  Westmeath Round 1 Joe McDonagh Cup
  Wexford 2004 1996 Quarter-finals Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Personnel and colours edit

County Manager(s) Captain(s) Sponsor
  Clare Donal Moloney
Gerry O'Connor
Patrick O'Connor Pat O'Donnell
  Cork John Meyler Séamus Harnedy Chill Insurance
  Dublin Pat Gilroy Liam Rushe AIG
  Galway Micheál Donoghue David Burke Supermac's
  Kilkenny Brian Cody Cillian Buckley Glanbia
  Limerick John Kiely Declan Hannon Sporting Limerick
  Offaly Kevin Martin David King Carroll Cuisine
  Tipperary Michael Ryan Pádraic Maher Intersport/Elverys
  Waterford Derek McGrath TQS Integration
  Wexford Davy Fitzgerald Lee Chin
Matthew O'Hanlon
Gain

Summary edit

Championships edit

Level on Pyramid Competition Champions Runners Up
Tier 1 2018 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship   Limerick   Galway
Tier 1 (Leinster) 2018 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship   Galway   Kilkenny
Tier 1 (Munster) 2018 Munster Senior Hurling Championship   Cork   Clare
Tier 2 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup   Carlow   Westmeath
Tier 3 2018 Christy Ring Cup   Kildare   London
Tier 4 2018 Nicky Rackard Cup   Donegal   Warwickshire
Tier 5 2018 Lory Meagher Cup   Sligo   Lancashire

Provincial championships edit

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship edit

Group Stage edit

Pos Team Pld W D L SF SA Diff Pts Qualification
1   Galway 4 4 0 0 7-89 (110) 6-62 (80) +30 8 Advance to Leinster Final
2   Kilkenny 4 3 0 1 5-76 (91) 6-69 (87) +4 6
3   Wexford 4 2 0 2 6-81 (99) 5-68 (83) +16 4 Advance to All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Finals
4   Dublin 4 1 0 3 9-73 (100) 1-85 (88) +12 2
5   Offaly 4 0 0 4 5-50 (65) 14-85 (127) –62 0 Relegated to Joe McDonagh Cup

Finals edit

1 July 2018
16:00
Leinster Final
Galway   0-18 (18) (18) 0-18   Kilkenny
(HT: 0-7 – 0-8)

Pts: J Canning 6, N Burke 4, C Whelan 3, C Mannion 3, C Cooney 1, J Cooney 1

Pts: TJ Reid 10, B Ryan 2, E Murphy 1 (f), E Morrissey 1, J Maher 1, G Aylward 1, J Donnelly 1, W Walsh 1
Croke Park, Dublin
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)
Attendance: 40,703
8 July 2018
15:00
Leinster Final Replay
Galway   1-28 (31) (24) 3-15   Kilkenny
(HT: 1-16 – 1-7)
Gls: J Glynn 1
Pts: J Canning 10 (6f), C Mannion 6, C Whelan 4, N Burke 2, A Harte 2, J Cooney 1, J Glynn 1, C Cooney 1, J Flynn 1
Gls: G Aylward 1, R Hogan 1, C Fennelly 1
Pts: TJ Reid 9 (6f, 1 '65'), J Holden 1, C Fogarty 1, J Maher 1, J Donnelly 1, R Hogan 1, C Fennelly 1
Semple Stadium, Thurles
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
Attendance: 25,102

Munster Senior Hurling Championship edit

Group Stage edit

Pos Team Pld W D L SF SA Diff Pts Qualification
1   Cork 4 2 2 0 5-94 (109) 4-89 (101) +8 6 Advance to Munster Final
2   Clare 4 3 0 1 4-97 (109) 5-77 (92) +17 6
3   Limerick 4 2 1 1 3-92 (101) 4-81 (93) +8 5 Advance to All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Finals
4   Tipperary 4 0 2 2 7-77 (98) 5-91 (106) –8 2
5   Waterford 4 0 1 3 6-76 (94) 7-98 (119) –25 1

Final edit

1 July 2018
14:00
Munster Final
Cork   2-24 (30) (28) 3-19   Clare
(HT: 1-10 – 2-11)
Gls: S Harnedy 1, L Meade 1
Pts: P Horgan 11 (6f, 1 '65'), S Harnedy 4, M Coleman 2 (1 sl), D Fitzgibbon 2, D Kearney 2, C Lehane 1, L Meade 1, B Cooper 1
Gls: P Duggan 1, D Reidy 1, I Galvin 1
Pts: P Duggan 7 (6f), J Conlon 5, D Reidy 2, P Collins 2, C McGrath 1, T Kelly 1, C Galvin 1
Semple Stadium, Thurles
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath)
Attendance: 45,364

Joe McDonagh Cup edit

The inaugural Joe McDonagh Cup, the second tier of senior inter-county championship hurling, was contested by Antrim, Carlow, Kerry, Laois, Meath and Westmeath. Each team played all the other teams once in a round-robin format, with the top two teams progressing to the Joe McDonagh Cup final and also advancing to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals, where they played the teams that finished third in the Leinster and Munster championships. Westmeath confirmed their place in the Joe McDonagh Cup final on 2 June 2018 after winning their first four matches, with Carlow confirming their place on 9 June after beating Westmeath.

Group Stage edit

Pos Team Pld W D L SF SA Diff Pts Qualification
1   Carlow 5 4 0 1 122 102 20 8 Advance to Knockout Stage and All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Finals
2   Westmeath 5 4 0 1 130 115 15 8
3   Kerry 5 3 0 2 105 97 8 6
4   Laois 5 2 0 3 118 123 -5 4
5   Antrim 5 2 0 3 130 116 14 4 Advance to Relegation Playoff
6   Meath 5 0 0 5 94 146 -52 0 Relegated to Christy Ring Cup

The top two teams at the end of the round-robin, Westmeath and Carlow, faced each other in the final on 1 July 2018. The game, which took place in Croke Park, saw Carlow emerge victorious by a margin of five points to claim the inaugural Joe McDonagh Cup title.

Final edit

1 July 2018
13:45
Joe McDonagh Cup Final
Westmeath   1-24 (27) (32) 2-26   Carlow
(HT: 0-13 – 1-12)
Gls: N O'Brien 1
Pts: A Devine 8 (8f), E Price 6, A Clarke 3, R Greville 2, D McNicholas 2 (1f), N O'Brien 1, D Clinton 1, N Mitchell 1
Gls: J Doyle 1, C Nolan 1
Pts: D Murphy 10 (9f, 1 '65'), C Nolan 4, P Coady 4, JM Nolan 3, E Byrne 2, J Doyle 1, K McDonald 1, D Byrne 1
Croke Park, Dublin
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)

Carlow were automatically promoted to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship for 2019, replacing Offaly.

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship edit

Bracket edit

Preliminary Quarter-Finals Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals All-Ireland Final
  Clare
(R)
1-30
2-13
  Galway
(R)
1-30
1-17
  Clare 0-27
  Westmeath 0-16   Wexford 1-17
  Wexford 2-21   Galway 2-18
  Limerick 3-16
  Cork 2-31
  Limerick 3-32
  Limerick 0-27
  Limerick 5-22   Kilkenny 1-22
  Carlow 0-13

All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals edit

The preliminary quarter-finals saw the third-placed teams from the two provincial round-robins play the two teams who competed in the Joe McDonagh Cup Final, with the two finalists having home advantage. Joe McDonagh champions Carlow faced third-placed Munster team Limerick in Dr Cullen Park, while runners-up Westmeath met Wexford, the third-place finished from Leinster, in Mullingar's Cusack Park.

7 July 2018 Preliminary quarter-final Carlow   0-13 (13) (37) 5-22   Limerick Carlow  
19:00 (HT: 0-4 – 3-9) Venue: Dr Cullen Park

Pts: D Murphy 4 (3f, 1 '65'), P Abbey 2, JM Nolan 2, J Kavanagh 1, D Byrne 1, E Byrne 1, C Nolan 1, S Murphy 1
Report Gls: D Byrnes 1, K Hayes 1, A Gillane 1, G Mulcahy 1, P Casey 1
Pts: A Gillane 6 (2f), T Morrissey 5, P Casey 3, G Hegarty 2, D Byrnes 1 (1 '65'), C Lynch 1, S Flanagan 1, G Mulcahy 1, B Nash 1, D O'Donovan 1
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)


7 July 2018 Preliminary quarter-final Westmeath   0-16 (16) (27) 2-21   Wexford Mullingar  
19:00 (HT: 0-8 – 1-12) Venue: Cusack Park

Pts: A Devine 8 (7f), A Clarke 2, E Price 2, D McNicholas 1, C Doyle 1, C Boyle 1, J Boyle 1
Report Gls: D Dunne 1, C McDonald 1
Pts: L Chin 7 (6f, 1 '65'), A Nolan 4, H Kehoe 2, L Ryan 1, D O'Keefe 1, S Murphy 1, J O'Connor 1, P Morris 1, D Dunne 1, C McDonald 1, S Tompkins 1
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)


All-Ireland quarter-finals edit

The two quarter-finals saw the losing provincial finalists play the winners of the two preliminary quarter-finals. As both third-place finishers from the provincial series won in the previous round, they were kept apart from the teams they had already met in the round-robin phase to prevent a repeat fixture. Munster runners-up Clare met Wexford, with beaten Leinster finalists Kilkenny facing Limerick the following day. Both games were held at neutral venues.[13]

14 July 2018 Quarter-final Clare   0-27 (27) (20) 1-17   Wexford Cork  
15:00 (HT: 0-16 – 0-9) Venue: Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Pts: P Duggan 7 (5f), T Kelly 5, S O'Donnell 4, J Conlon 3, D Reidy 2, P Collins 2, S Morey 1, C Malone 1, C McGrath 1, I Galvin 1
Report Gls: C McDonald 1
Pts: R O'Connor 10 (9f), C McDonald 3, D Reck 1, S Murphy 1, L Chin 1, D O'Keeffe 1
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)
Attendance: 10,255
TV: RTÉ


15 July 2018 Quarter-final Kilkenny   1-22 (25) (27) 0-27   Limerick Thurles  
14:00 (HT: 0-12 – 0-15) Venue: Semple Stadium
Gls: R Hogan 1
Pts: TJ Reid 7 (5f) (1 65), R Leahy 4, R Hogan 3, J Maher 3, C Fennelly 2, C Fogarty 1, L Blanchfield 1, J Donnolly 1
Report
Pts: A Gillane 5 (2f), T Morrissey 4, K Hayes 3, G Mulcahy 3, D O'Donnovan 3 (1 sl), G Hegarty 3, P Casey 2, S Flanagan 1, D Byrnes 1, D Hannon 1, S Dowling 1
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath)
Attendance: 18,596
TV: RTÉ


All-Ireland semi-finals edit

The semi-finals took place in Croke Park across the last weekend of July, with the Leinster (Galway) and Munster champions (Cork) playing the winners of the two quarter-finals — Clare and Limerick respectively.

28 July 2018
17:00
Semi-final
Galway   1-30 (33) (33) 1-30
(a.e.t.)
  Clare
(HT: 1-10 – 0-9)
(FT: 1-23 – 0-26)
Gls: C Cooney 1
Pts: J Canning 12 (6f, 2 sl), C Mannion 4, David Burke 3, C Whelan 3, J Flynn 3 (1f), J Coen 2, C Cooney 1, J Glynn 1, N Burke 1
Gls: A Shanagher 1
Pts: P Duggan 14 (11f), J Conlon 4, S O'Donnell 3, T Kelly 3 (1 sl), I Galvin 2, D Fitzgerald 1, D Reidy 1, J McCarthy 1, C Galvin 1
Croke Park, Dublin
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
Attendance: 54,191
29 July 2018
15:30
Semi-final
Cork   2-31 (37) (41) 3-32
(a.e.t.)
  Limerick
(HT: 0-14 – 1-12)
(FT: 1-27 – 1-27)
Gls: P Horgan 1 (1f), C Lehane 1
Pts: P Horgan 0-11 (9f), D Fitzgibbon 4, C Lehane 3, D Kearney 3, S Kingston 3, S Harnedy 2, M Coleman 2 (1 sideline), C Joyce 1, L Meade 1, J O'Connor 1
Gls: S Dowling 1 (1p), C Lynch 1, P Ryan 1
Pts: A Gillane 13 (7f), S Dowling 4 (1f), G Mulcahy 4, G Hegarty 3, C Lynch 1, D O'Donovan 1, D Byrnes 1(1f), S Flanagan 1, T Morrissey 1, K Hayes 1, B Nash 1, D Reidy 1
Croke Park, Dublin
Referee: Paud O'Dwyer (Carlow)
Attendance: 71,073
5 August 2018
14:00
Semi-final Replay
Clare   2-13 (19) (20) 1-17   Galway
(HT: 0-6 – 1-9)
Gls: P Duggan 1, S O'Donnell 1
Pts: P Duggan 6 (6f), I Galvin 2, T Kelly, P Collins 1, J Conlon 1, A Shanagher 1, S O'Donnell 1
Gls: J Glynn 1
Pts: J Canning 8 (4f, 1 sl), C Whelan 3, N Burke 2, D Burke 2, C Mannion 1, C Cooney 1
Semple Stadium, Thurles
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)
Attendance: 44,246

All-Ireland final edit

19 August 2018
15:30
All-Ireland Final
Galway   2-18 (24) (25) 3-16   Limerick
(HT: 0-9 – 1-10)
Gls: C Whelan 1, J Canning 1 (1f)
Pts: J Canning 10 (5f, 2 '65'), D Burke 3, J Cooney 3, P Mannion 1, N Burke 1
Gls: G Mulcahy 1, T Morrissey 1, S Dowling 1
Pts: K Hayes 4, A Gillane 3 (1f), G Mulcahy 2, D Hannon 2, T Morrisey 1, D O'Donovan 1, C Lynch 1, D Byrnes 1
Croke Park, Dublin
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
Attendance: 82,000

Stadia and locations edit

Teams and venues edit

Each team has a nominal home stadium for the round-robin series of the provincial championships. However, Waterford will not play their "home" games at Walsh Park, instead playing in neutral venues for these fixtures, namely Limerick's Gaelic Grounds and Semple Stadium in Thurles.

In the knockout stage, teams from the provincial round-robin series will not have home advantage, if avoidable. The only teams to play knockout games at home are the two Joe McDonagh Cup finalists, who had home advantage in the preliminary quarter-finals. The Munster final was held at a neutral venue which was decided based on the qualifying teams, while the locations of the two quarter-finals were decided based on similar considerations. The Leinster final, and the semi-finals and final of the All-Ireland series are held in the 82,300-capacity Croke Park in Dublin, headquarters of the GAA.

Team Location Stadium Capacity
From the Leinster Championship
  Dublin Donnycarney Parnell Park 8,500
  Galway Galway Pearse Stadium 26,197
  Kilkenny Kilkenny Nowlan Park 27,800
  Offaly Tullamore O'Connor Park 20,000
  Wexford Wexford Wexford Park 25,000
From the Munster Championship
  Clare Ennis Cusack Park 19,000
  Cork Cork Páirc Uí Chaoimh 45,000
  Limerick Limerick Gaelic Grounds 49,886
  Tipperary Thurles Semple Stadium 53,000
  Waterford N / A
From the Joe McDonagh Cup
  Carlow Carlow Dr. Cullen Park 21,000
  Westmeath Mullingar Cusack Park 11,000


Championship statistics edit

Top scorers overall edit

Rank Player Club Tally Total Matches Average
1 Peter Duggan Clare 3-76 85 8 10.60
2 Joe Canning Galway 2-78 84 8 10.50
3 T. J. Reid Kilkenny 2-63 69 7 9.85
4 Patrick Horgan Cork 2-53 61 6 10.17
5 Jason Forde Tipperary 3-39 48 4 12.00
6 Rory O'Connor Wexford 0-46 46 5 9.20
7 Aaron Gillane Limerick 1-37 40 7 5.71
8 Paul Ryan Dublin 3-21 30 4 7.50
9 Shane Dowling Limerick 2-24 30 5 6.00
10 Pauric Mahony Waterford 1-26 29 3 9.66

Top scorers in a single game edit

Rank Player County Tally Total Opposition
1 Jason Forde Tipperary 1-14 17 Waterford
2 Joe Canning Galway 1-12 15 Kilkenny
Peter Duggan Clare 0-15 15 Tipperary
Shane Dowling Limerick 0-15 15 Waterford
5 Peter Duggan Clare 0-14 14 Galway
6 Patrick Horgan Cork 1-11 14 Limerick
7 Joe Canning Galway 1-10 13 Limerick
Peter Duggan Clare 1-10 13 Waterford
Peter Duggan Clare 0-13 13 Limerick
Aaron Gillane Limerick 0-13 13 Cork
11 Jason Forde Tipperary 1-9 12 Limerick
T. J. Reid Kilkenny 1-9 12 Galway
Shane Dooley Offaly 1-9 12 Galway
Rory O'Connor Wexford 0-12 12 Dublin
T. J. Reid Kilkenny 0-12 12 Dublin
Rory O'Connor Wexford 0-12 12 Galway
Joe Canning Galway 0-12 12 Wexford
Joe Canning Galway 0-12 12 Clare

Scoring Events edit

Miscellaneous edit

  • The Munster round-robin game between Clare and Waterford was the first Munster Championship game to take place at Cusack Park in Ennis since 1997.[14]
  • The Leinster round-robin game between Galway and Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium in Salthill was Galway's first home Leinster Championship match. It was the first provincial championship game (excluding the Connacht championship) to take place in County Galway since 1965.[15]
  • Clare's defeat of Tipperary in the Munster round-robin game was their first victory over the team since 2003.[16] It is also their first defeat of Tipperary in Thurles since 1928.[17]
  • Michael "Brick" Walsh of Waterford set a new record when he made his 74th championship appearance against Cork on 17 June 2018.[18]
  • Cork won back-to-back Munster titles for the first time since 2005/06.
  • The Leinster final ended in a draw for the first time since 1993.[19]
  • The Leinster final was played outside Leinster for the first time.[20]
  • For only the second year in a row, no county from Leinster reached the All-Ireland semi-final stage, with the four spots going to Clare, Cork, Galway and Limerick. (Galway currently play in the Leinster Championship but are geographically in Connacht.)
  • Limerick defeated Kilkenny in the championship for the first time since 1973.[21]
  • Kilkenny failed to win the All-Ireland for the third consecutive year. This is their longest titleless streak since 19941999, when they went six years without an All-Ireland.
  • Limerick achieve victory in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1973.
  • Limerick defeated Galway in the All-Ireland final for the very first time.[22]

Live Hurling on TV edit

RTÉ, the national broadcaster in Ireland, provided the majority of the live television coverage of the hurling championship in the second year of a five-year deal running from 2017 until 2021. Sky Sports also broadcast a number of matches and had exclusive rights to some games.

Live Hurling On TV Schedule
Date Fixture &
Match Details
RTÉ
Sky Sports
Provincial Championships
13 May Dublin v Kilkenny
Leinster Round 1
RTÉ
20 May Limerick v Tipperary
Munster Round 1
RTÉ
20 May Cork v Clare
Munster Round 1
RTÉ
27 May Tipperary v Cork
Munster Round 2
RTÉ
27 May Galway v Kilkenny
Leinster Round 3
RTÉ
2 June Wexford v Galway
Leinster Round 4
Sky Sports
2 June Cork v Limerick
Munster Round 3
Sky Sports
3 June Waterford v Tipperary
Munster Round 3
RTÉ
9 June Kilkenny v Wexford
Leinster Round 5
Sky Sports
[note 1]
10 June Tipperary v Clare
Munster Round 4
RTÉ
17 June Clare v Limerick
Munster Round 5
RTÉ
1 July Cork v Clare
Munster Final
RTÉ
1 July Galway v Kilkenny
Leinster Final
RTÉ
All-Ireland Hurling Championship
14 July Clare v Wexford
All-Ireland Quarter-Final
RTÉ
15 July Kilkenny v Limerick
All-Ireland Quarter-Final
RTÉ
28 July Galway v Clare
All-Ireland Semi-Final
RTÉ
Sky Sports
29 July Cork v Limerick
All-Ireland Semi-Final
RTÉ
Sky Sports
19 August Galway v Limerick
All-Ireland Final
RTÉ
Sky Sports

Awards edit

Sunday Game Team of the Year

The Sunday Game team of the year was picked on 19 August, which was the night of the final.[24] The panel consisting of Brendan Cummins, Jackie Tyrrell, Anthony Daly, Eddie Brennan, Dónal O'Grady, Ken McGrath and Cyril Farrell unanimously selected Galway's Pádraic Mannion as the Sunday game player of the year.[25][26]

  • 1. Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny)
  • 2. Sean Finn (Limerick)
  • 3. Daithi Burke (Galway)
  • 4. Richie English (Limerick)
  • 5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick)
  • 6. Declan Hannon (Limerick)
  • 7. Padraic Mannion (Galway)
  • 8. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)
  • 9. Cian Lynch (Limerick)
  • 10. Peter Duggan (Clare)
  • 11. Joe Canning (Galway)
  • 12. Tom Morrissey (Limerick)
  • 13. Graeme Mulcahy (Limerick)
  • 14. John Conlon (Clare)
  • 15. Seamus Harnedy (Cork)
All Star Team of the Year

On 2 November, the 2018 PwC All-Stars winners were announced and presented at Dublin's Convention Centre. Cian Lynch was named as the All Stars Hurler of the Year with Kyle Hayes named the All Stars Young Hurler of the Year. [27][28]

Pos. Player Team Appearances
GK   Eoin Murphy Kilkenny 2
RCB   Seán Finn Limerick 1
FB   Daithí Burke Galway 4
LCB   Richie English Limerick 1
RWB   Pádraic Mannion Galway 2
CB   Declan Hannon Limerick 1
LWB   Dan Morrissey Limerick 1
MD   Cian LynchHOTY Limerick 1
MD   Darragh Fitzgibbon Cork 1
RWF   Peter Duggan Clare 1
CF   Joe Canning Galway 5
LWF   Séamus Harnedy Cork 2
RCF   Patrick Horgan Cork 3
FF   John Conlon Clare 1
LCF   Graeme Mulcahy Limerick 1

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ Sky Sports missed the first 22 minutes of the match because they showed extra time of Meath v Tyrone in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship instead.[23]

References edit

  1. ^ Hurling tiers - 1. All-Ireland (Liam MacCarthy Cup) 2. Joe McDonagh Cup 3. Christy Ring Cup 4. Nicky Rackard Cup 5. Lory Meagher Cup
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  3. ^ "Dublin v Kilkenny, Cork v Clare among the early standouts in revamped Hurling Championship draw". The 42. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Limerick hang on against Galway to end 45 years of pain". RTE Sport. 19 August 2018.
  5. ^ "New green wave ends 45 years of heartache for Limerick". Irish Examiner. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Ranking the top ten hurling games of 2018". SKY Sports. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
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  8. ^ "Jamesie O'Connor: A summer of great memories and even greater champions". Irish Independent. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
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  10. ^ Moran, Seán (30 September 2017). "GAA Congress approve round-robin provincial hurling championships". Irish Times. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  11. ^ "GAA votes to change senior hurling championship". Irish Examiner. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
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  13. ^ "Provincial finalists kept apart in All-Ireland hurling semi-finals". Irish Examiner. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Seats scarce for Clare's first home Munster SHC game since 1997". RTE Sport. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Historic day as Galway get to enjoy home comforts". Irish Examiner. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
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  17. ^ "Late push by Clare slams the trapdoor shut on Tipperary". Irish Times. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Cork book Munster final place after dramatic late comeback denies Waterford". Irish Independent. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  19. ^ "Kilkenny and Galway to go again after first final draw in 25 years". Irish Times. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Semple Stadium to host Leinster hurling final replay". RTE Sport. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  21. ^ "Limerick's first win over the Cats in 45 years, Kilkenny show their heart and Cork up next". The 42. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  22. ^ "As it happened: Galway v Limerick, All-Ireland senior hurling final". 19 August 2018.
  23. ^ "'We apologise' - Sky Sports issues statement on 22-minute delay showing Kilkenny and Wexford hurling clash - Independent.ie". Independent.ie. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  24. ^ "Limerick rule in The Sunday Game team of the year". RTE Sport. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Here's The Sunday Game's Hurling Team of the Year for 2018". The 42. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  26. ^ "The Sunday Game panel voted unanimously for Pádraic Mannion as their Player of the Year". Sportsjoe.ie. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  27. ^ "Limerick the big winners as 2018 Hurling All Star team throws up a few surprises". Irish Independent. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
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