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.
| Carlow Junior Hurling Championship | |
|---|---|
| Irish | Craobh Sóisearach Iomáint Cheatharlach |
| Code | Hurling |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Region |  Carlow (GAA) |
| Trophy | Martin Grennan Cup |
| No. of teams | 7 |
| Title holders |  Burren Rangers (1st title) |
| Sponsors | JJ Kavanagh and Sons |
| Official website | Carlow GAA |
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
editWhen 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
editGroup stage
editSeven 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
editSemi-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
editAt the end of the championship, the winning team is automatically promoted to the Carlow Intermediate Hurling Championship for the following season.
Trophy and medals
editThe 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
edit| 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] |
References
edit- ^ "Years of hurt forgotten as Burren finally land Junior Hurling title". Carlow Nationalist. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Hurling: Burren mine out magnificent performance to take Junior Hurling Championship honours". Left Wing Back website. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Hurling: Tier two roll of honour". Left Wing Back website. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "JJ Kavanagh & Sons Junior Hurling Championship" (PDF). Carlow GAA website. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Perennial rivals drawn together in first round of JJ Kavanagh & Sons Senior Hurling Championship". Carlow Nationalist. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ ""We're back" Kildavin Clonegal Padraig Ryan emotional after Junior Championship win". Score Line. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "LIVE: Burren Rangers v St. Mullins, Carlow junior hurling championship final". Scoreline. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2024.