The GAA Hurling Under-20 All-Ireland Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling Under-20 All-Ireland Championship) is an annual inter-county hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). It is the highest inter-county hurling competition for male players between the ages of 17 and 20 in Ireland. The championship was contested as the All-Ireland Under-21 Championship between 1964 and 2018 before changing to an under-20 age category from 2019.
| GAA Hurling Under-20 All-Ireland Championship | |
|---|---|
Current season or competition: 2023 All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Championship | |
 | |
| Irish | Craobh Iomána Fé-20 na hÉireann |
| Code | Hurling |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Region | Ireland (GAA) |
| Trophy | James Nowlan Cup |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Title holders |  Cork (14th title) |
| Most titles | Cork (14 titles) |
| Sponsors | Bord Gáis Energy |
| TV partner(s) | TG4 |
| Official website | Official website |
The final, currently held on the fourth Sunday in August, serves as the culmination of a series of games played during the summer months, and the results determine which team receives the James Nowlan Cup. The All-Ireland Championship had always been played on a straight knockout basis whereby once a team loses they are eliminated from the championship, however, as of 2018 the qualification procedures for the championship have changed. Currently, qualification is limited to teams competing in the Leinster Championship and the Munster Championship.
Four teams currently participate in the All-Ireland Championship, with the most successful teams coming from the province of Munster. Teams representing this province have won a total of 32 All-Ireland titles.
The title has been won by 8 different teams, 7 of whom have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are Cork, who have won the championship on 13 occasions. Kilkenny are the current holders.
History edit
Creation edit
Since 1962, the Munster Council had been organising a provincial championship for under-21 players in Gaelic football. This championship proved successful in bridging the gap between the minor and senior grades in a way in which the junior championship had failed to do. At the GAA's annual Congress in April 1963, the Kerry County Board introduced a successful motion in favour of extending the provincial championship to All-Ireland level. It was the fifth All-Ireland championship to be created after the corresponding championships in senior (1887), junior (1912), minor (1928) and intermediate (1961).
Beginnings edit
The inaugural All-Ireland Championship in 1964 used a provincial format. 16 teams contested the respective championships in Leinster and Munster, with Tiobraid Árann and Loch Garman emerging as the respective champions. Ros Comáin and Aontroim were the respective unopposed representatives from Connacht and Ulster.
Antrim and Wexford contested the very first championship match on Sunday 2 August 1964 at Casement Park, Belfast. The inaugural All-Ireland final took place on 4 October 1964, with Tiobraid Árann defeating Loch Garman to take the title.[1]
Proposed changes edit
In 2008 a radical motion was brought before a special Congress in an effort to combat player burnout. It was proposed to merge the existing under-21 and minor championships to create a new All-Ireland Under-19 Hurling Championship.[2] This motion was defeated by 115 votes to 58.[3]
A similar motion was later introduced in an effort to lower the age and create a new All-Ireland Under-20 Championship, however, this motion was also defeated.[4]
Development edit
Like the corresponding championships at senior and minor levels, Leinster and Munster teams grew to become the most dominant, as Gaelic football was the more dominant sport in Ulster and Connacht. After leaving the Munster Championship in 1970, Galway became the only credible team in Connacht and was essentially given an automatic pass to the All-Ireland semi-final every year.
After the introduction of the "back door" system in the senior and minor championships in 1997, the under-21 championship remained as the last true straight knock-out championship. This changed following a Central Council motion to alter the format of the championship was endorsed by a Special Congress on 30 September 2017. The proposal to allow Galway and Ulster teams as agreed by the Leinster and Ulster Councils into the Leinster Championship was backed by 72% of delegates. The original recommendation would have ended All-Ireland semi-finals as the Munster winners were set to face off against the Leinster victors from next year. However, Cork argued that they should be retained with the Munster champions taking on the runners-up in Leinster and vice versa. Their idea was endorsed by 78% of delegates.[5] The new format was used for the first time in 2018.
At the GAA Congress on 24 February 2018, the age limit of the championship was changed to twenty, following a successful motion by the Offaly County Board. In contrast to Gaelic football, under-20 hurlers were also eligible to play both under-20 and senior hurling for their county.[6] This provision was abolished at the 2020 GAA Congress. The "back door system" for the defeated provincial finalists was also permanently abolished, having been suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
Format edit
Qualification edit
| Province | Championship | Teams progressing |
|---|---|---|
| Leinster | Leinster Under-20 Hurling Championship | Champions and runners-up |
| Munster | Munster Under-20 Hurling Championship | Champions and runners-up |
Championship edit
There are four teams in the All-Ireland Championship. During the course of a championship season three games are played comprising two semi-finals and a final. The championship is played as a single-elimination tournament. Each game is played as a single leg.
Teams edit
2023 Championship edit
Seventeen counties will compete in the 2023 All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Championship: twelve teams in the Leinster Under-20 Hurling Championship, and five teams in the Munster Under-20 Hurling Championship.
| County | Stadium | Province | All-Irelands | Last All-Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Antrim
|
Corrigan Park | Ulster | 0 | — |
 Carlow
|
Dr Cullen Park | Leinster | 0 | — |
 Clare
|
Cusack Park | Munster | 4 | 2014 |
| Cork
|
Páirc Uí Chaoimh | Munster | 14 | 2023 |
 Dublin
|
Parnell Park | Leinster | 0 | — |
 Galway
|
Pearse Stadium | Connacht | 10 | 2011 |
 Kerry
|
Austin Stack Park | Munster | 0 | — |
 Kildare
|
St Conleth's Park | Leinster | 0 | — |
 Kilkenny
|
Nowlan Park | Leinster | 12 | 2022 |
 Laois
|
O'Moore Park | Leinster | 0 | — |
 Limerick
|
Gaelic Grounds | Munster | 6 | 2017 |
| Meath | Páirc Tailteann | Leinster | 0 | — |
 Offaly
|
O'Connor Park | Leinster | 0 | — |
 Tipperary
|
Semple Stadium | Munster | 11 | 2019 |
 Waterford
|
Walsh Park | Munster | 2 | 2016 |
| Westmeath
|
Cusack Park | Leinster | 0 | — |
 Wexford
|
Chadwicks Wexford Park | Leinster | 1 | 1965 |
Venues edit
Attendances edit
Stadium attendances are a significant source of regular income for the GAA and for the teams involved. For the 2017 championship, the average attendances for the three games was 7,336 with a total aggregate attendance figure of 22,009.
Semi-finals edit
The All-Ireland semi-finals have been played exclusively at Semple Stadium in Thurles since 2011. Both semi-finals are usually played on the same day as part of a double-header of games. Semple Stadium had been regularly used as a semi-final venue prior to this, however, a number of other stadiums around the country were also used. Páirc Esler in Newry and Páirc Tailteann in Navan were regularly used for semi-finals involving a Leinster-Ulster pairing. Parnell Park in Dublin was used on a number of occasions for Munster-Ulster clashes, while O'Connor Park in Tullamore was a regular venue for Connacht-Munster and Connacht-Leinster meetings.
Final edit
Since 2010, Semple Stadium in Thurles has been the regular venue for the All-Ireland final. Prior to this, Semple Stadium had hosted the All-Ireland final on 12 previous occasions. Other stadiums which hosted the All-Ireland final include Walsh Park (8 times), Croke Park (7 times), Nowlan Park (5 times), Gaelic Grounds (5 times) and O'Connor Park (3 times).
Trophy and medals edit
At the end of the All-Ireland final, the winning team is presented with a trophy. The cup is held by the winning team until the following year's final. Traditionally, the presentation is made at a special rostrum in stand where GAA and political dignitaries and special guests view the match.
The cup is decorated with ribbons in the colours of the winning team. During the game the cup actually has both teams' sets of ribbons attached and the runners-up ribbons are removed before the presentation. The winning captain accepts the cup on behalf of his team before giving a short speech. Individual members of the winning team then have an opportunity to come to the rostrum to lift the cup. The trophy is known as the Cross of Cashel, probably the most unique looking trophy awarded by the GAA. Awarded for the first time in 1967, a spectacular cast bronze trophy modelled on the ancient Celtic cross found at the rock of Cashel in Co Tipperary, it is a tall narrow and quiet heavy trophy with a square bronze base holding a cross depicting the crucifixion of Jesus. P. J. Ryan of Tipperary was the first recipient. After nearly 50 years the trophy was retired for undisclosed reasons following the conclusion of the 2015 championship.[8] Diarmaid Byrnes of Limerick was the last captain to receive the trophy.[9]
In 2016 the GAA purchased a second hand English soccer cup in London and renamed it the James Nowlan Cup. Born in Monasterevin, James Nowlan became the first Chairman of the Leinster Council in 1900. He was elected President of the GAA in 1901, serving in that position until 1921. As the longest-serving president, Nowlan was honoured as the GAA's only Honorary Life President.[10]
In accordance with GAA rules, the Central Council awards up to twenty-four gold medals to the winners of the All-Ireland final.
Sponsorship edit
Since 2003, the All-Ireland Championship has been sponsored. The sponsor has usually been able to determine the championship's sponsorship name.[11][12][13]
| Period | Sponsor(s) | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1964-2002 | No main sponsor | The All-Ireland Under-21 Championship |
| 2003-2008 |  Erin Foods
|
The Erin All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship |
| 2009–2018 | Bord Gáis Energy
|
The Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship |
| 2019-2021 | Bord Gáis Energy
|
The Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Championship |
| 2022- | oneills.com
|
The oneills.com All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Championship |
List of finals edit
Roll of honour edit
| # | County | Title(s) | Runners-up | Years Won | Years Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cork
|
14 | 4 | 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1997, 1998, 2020, 2021, 2023 | 1975, 1977, 2018, 2019 |
| 2 | Kilkenny
|
12 | 12 | 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1990, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2022 | 1968, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2017 |
| 3 |  Tipperary
|
11 | 8 | 1964, 1967, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1995, 2010, 2018, 2019 | 1965, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1990, 2004, 2006, 2008 |
| 4 | Galway
|
10 | 12 | 1972, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2005, 2007, 2011 | 1979, 1982, 1987, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2010, 2016, 2021 |
| 5 | Limerick
|
6 | 1 | 1987, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2015, 2017 | 2022 |
| 6 | Clare
|
4 | 0 | 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 | - |
| 7 | Waterford
|
2 | 1 | 1992, 2016 | 1974 |
| 8 | Wexford
|
1 | 12 | 1965 | 1964, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2014, 2015 |
| 9 | Dublin
|
0 | 5 | - | 1967, 1972, 2007, 2011, 2020 |
| Offaly
|
0 | 4 | - | 1989, 1991, 1992, 2023 | |
| Antrim
|
0 | 1 | - | 2013 |
Performances by province edit
A representative of each of the four provinces of Ireland have made an appearance in the final match of the All-Ireland.
To date, Munster leads with 37 titles, followed by Leinster with 13 titles and Connacht with 10 titles. A team from Ulster has made the championship final just once, but was defeated by a Munster side.
| Province | Performances | |
|---|---|---|
| Winners | Runners-up | |
| Munster | 37 titles: Cork (14), Tipperary (11), Limerick (6), Clare (4), Waterford (2) | 14 times: Tipperary (8), Cork (4), Limerick (1), Waterford (1) |
| Leinster | 13 titles: Kilkenny (12), Wexford (1) | 34 times: Wexford (12), Kilkenny (12), Dublin (5), Offaly (4), Galway (1) |
| Connacht | 10 titles: Galway (10) | 11 times: Galway (11) |
| Ulster | — | 1 time: Antrim (1) |
Records and statistics edit
By decade edit
The most successful team of each decade, judged by number of All-Ireland Under-21 and Under-20 Hurling Championship titles, is as follows:
- 1960s: 3 for Cork (1966-68-69)
- 1970s: 4 for Cork (1970-71-73-76)
- 1980s: 4 for Tipperary (1980-81-85-89)
- 1990s: 3 each for Kilkenny (1990-94-99) and Galway (1991-93-96)
- 2000s: 4 for Kilkenny (2003-04-06-08)
- 2010s: 3 for Clare (2012-13-14) and Tipperary (2010-18-19)
- 2020s: 3 so far for Cork (2020-21-23)
Gaps edit
Longest gaps between successive All-Ireland titles:
- 24 years: Waterford (1992-2016)
- 22 years: Cork (1998-2020)
- 15 years: Tipperary (1995-2010)
- 14 years: Kilkenny (2008-2022)
- 13 years: Limerick (1987-2000)
- 13 years: Limerick (2002-2015)
- 12 years: Tipperary (1967-1979)
- 9 years: Cork (1988-1997)
- 8 years: Tipperary (2010-2018)
Top scorers edit
In finals edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Cahill, Jackie (11 September 2016). "The Tipperary exile who's an U21 hurling encyclopedia". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ O'Riordan, Ian (23 January 2008). "Merge needs simple majority". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ "GAA delegates reject U-19 proposal". RTÉ Sport. 26 January 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ O'Riordan, Ian (11 September 2008). "Under-20 championship proposed". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ Fogarty, John (30 September 2017). "Galway the winners as minor and U21 hurling championships changes backed by Special Congress". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- ^ "Congress: new U20 hurling championship gets green light". Hogan Stand. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
- ^ "Congress: All-Ireland junior football championship restored". Hogan Stand. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ Keys, Colm (11 September 2015). "All-Ireland U-21 hurling trophy to be 'retired'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "Cross of Cashel's last hurrah". Hogan Stand. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "New All-Ireland U21HC trophy unveiled". Hogan Stand. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "Erin announces U-21 hurling sponsorship deal". Breaking News. 24 June 2003. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "Bord Gáis sign up as hurling championship sponsors". RTÉ News. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "oneills.com to sponsor U20 GAA All-Ireland Hurling Championship". GAA website. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.