All-Ireland PPS Croke Cup | |
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Current season or competition:![]() | |
Irish | Craobh Iomána Iarbhunscoileanna na hÉireann |
Code | Hurling |
Founded | 1944 |
Region | Ireland (GAA) |
Trophy | Dr Croke Cup |
No. of teams | 6 |
Title holders | ![]() |
First winner | ![]() |
Most titles | ![]() |
Sponsors | Masita |
TV partner(s) | TG4 |
Official website | Official website |
The All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Croke Cup, is an annual inter-schools hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. It is the highest inter-schools hurling competition in Ireland, and has been contested every year, except on two occasions, since 1944.
The All-Ireland final, usually held in March, serves as the culmination of a knockout series of games played in February and March. Currently, qualification for the All-Ireland series is limited to teams competing in Connacht, Leinster and Munster. Eligible players must be under the age of 19.
The title has been won at least once by 17 different schools, nine of which have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are St Kieran's College, who have won the competition 24 times.
St Kieran's College are the current champions, having beaten St. Raphael's College by 0-26 to 1-18 in the 2024 All-Ireland final.[1]
History
[edit]Inter-colleges hurling competitions had been played since 1918, with the Leinster Championship and Dr Harty Cup both being formed that year.[2][3] A similar competition had been running in Connacht since 1938. Participation in these competitions was limited to voluntary secondary schools. Similarly, an annual inter-provincial competition between Conancht, Leinster and Munster had been taking place, with the best college players from the respective provinces being picked to form the teams. It wasn't until 1944 that the Leinster and Munster champions faced each other to decide the All-Ireland champions. St Flannan's College beat St Kieran's College by 5–05 to 3–03 to claim the inaugural title.[4][5][6] It was the first of a record-setting four successive All-Ireland titles for St Flannan's College.[7]
St Kieran's College became the second team to win the All-Ireland title, however, the championship was suspended following their victory over St Colman's College in 1948.[8][9] The championship was reintroduced in 1957, with representatives from the Connacht Championship being allowed to contest the All-Ireland series for the first time. Representatives from the Ulster Championship were allowed to contest the All-Ireland series for the first time in 1964, however, their participation was shortlived.[10][11]
The Croke Cup has seen a keen rivalry develop between St Flannan's College and St Kieran's College. By 1999, both colleges had won 13 All-Ireland titles. In spite of this, other colleges have enjoyed multiple successes at various times throughout the history of the competition. The North Monastery, St Finbarr's College and St Colman's College brought 10 All-Ireland titles to Cork between 1960 and 1977. St Peter's College, Wexford won four All-Ireland titles from six All-Ireland finals appearances between 1960 and 1973, while Limerick CBS claimed two victories from four consecutive finals appearances between 1964 and 1967.[12][13][14][15] Tipperary wrote their name into the All-Ireland roll of honour when Templemore CBS claimed the title in 1978, while St Brendan's Community School from Offaly won their sole Croke Cup in 1986.[16][17] The Leinster-Munster stranglehold on the competition was broken in 1995 when St. Raphael's College became the first college from County Galway to claim the All-Ireland title.[18][19]
The turn of the century has seen St Kieran's College dominate by winning 11 titles between 2000 and 2023. Amalgamated teams have also enjoyed successes during this period, with Dublin Colleges claiming the title in 2006 and Dungarvan Colleges winning in 2013.[20][21] Amalgamated teams were later precluded from participating in the All-Ireland series, however, vocational schools were permitted to field teams in the competition after a merger with the All-Ireland VS SAHC in 2014. By that stage, the championship had undergone a further expansion when the introduction of a "back door system" in 2005 allowed the defeated Leinster and Munster finalists entry into the All-Ireland series for the first time.[22] The "back door system" was extended to the Connacht runners-up in 2014. The Croke Cup was suspended mid-championship in 2020 and not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]
Current format
[edit]Qualification
[edit]Province | Championship | Teams progressing |
---|---|---|
Connacht | Connacht GAA PPS Senior A Hurling Championship | Champions and runners-up |
Leinster | Leinster GAA PPS Senior A Hurling Championship | Champions and runners-up |
Munster | Dr Harty Cup | Champions and runners-up |
Championship
[edit]The championship features six teams in a knockout series of games. Two teams receive byes to the All-Ireland semi-finals, while the other four teams play each other in two All-Ireland quarter-finals. This is organised on a strict rotational basis between the Connacht, Leinster and Munster teams. Teams who have met each other in the respective provincial championships are precluded from meeting each other until the All-Ireland final.
Sponsorship
[edit]Masita became the title sponsor of the championship in 2013.[24][25] The competition was previously sponsored by Coca-Cola.[26]
Trophy and medals
[edit]The Dr Croke Cup is the current prize for winning the All-Ireland final. It was commissioned to honour Thomas Croke (1824–1902), who was the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly and one of the first patrons of the Gaelic Athletic Association.[27][28]
Traditionally, the victory presentation takes place at a special rostrum in the main grandstand of the stadium. 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, which is held by the winning team until the following year's final. In accordance with GAA rules, a set of gold medals is awarded to the championship winners.
Roll of honour
[edit]# | Team | County | Won | Years won |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Kilkenny | 25 | 1948, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1975, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 |
2 | ![]() |
Clare | 14 | 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1958, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2005 |
3 | ![]() |
Cork | 5 | 1960, 1970, 1980, 1985, 1994 |
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Cork | 5 | 1963, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1984 | |
5 | ![]() |
Wexford | 4 | 1962, 1967, 1968, 1973 |
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Cork | 4 | 1977, 1997, 2001, 2002 | |
7 | ![]() |
Limerick | 2 | 1964, 1966 |
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Waterford | 2 | 2007, 2008 | |
9 | ![]() |
Tipperary | 1 | 1978 |
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Kilkenny | 1 | 1981 | |
![]() |
Offaly | 1 | 1986 | |
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Galway | 1 | 1995 | |
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Dublin | 1 | 2006 | |
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Tipperary | 1 | 2009 | |
![]() |
Tipperary | 1 | 2012 | |
![]() |
Waterford | 1 | 2013 | |
![]() |
Tipperary | 1 | 2017 | |
![]() |
Limerick | 1 | 2022 |
List of finals
[edit]Records and statistics
[edit]Final
[edit]- Most wins: 25:
- Most consecutive wins: 4:
- St Flannan's College (1944, 1945, 1946, 1947)
- Most second-place finishes: 13:
- Most consecutive second-place finishes: 3:
- Kilkenny CBS (2012, 2013, 2014)
- Most appearances: 38:
- Most appearances without winning: 4:
Teams
[edit]By decade
[edit]The most successful college of each decade, judged by number of championship titles, is as follows:
- 1940s: 4 for St Flannan's College (1944-45-46-47)
- 1950s: 2 for St Kieran's College (1957-59)
- 1960s: 3 for St Peter's College (1962-67-68)
- 1970s: 2 each for St Kieran's College (1971-75), St Finbarr's College (1972-74) and St Flannan's College (1976-79)
- 1980s: 3 for St Flannan's College (1982-83-87)
- 1990s: 4 for St Kieran's College (1990-92-93-96)
- 2000s: 3 for St Kieran's College (2000-03-04)
- 2010s: 7 for St Kieran's College (2010-11-14-15-16-18-19)
- 2020s: 2 for St Kieran's College (2023-24)
Gaps
[edit]Longest gaps between successive championship titles:
- 20 years: St Colman's College (1977-1997)
- 18 years: St Flannan's College (1958-1976)
- 13 years: St Kieran's College (1975-1988)
- 11 years: St Flannan's College (1947-1958)
- 10 years: North Monastery (1960-1970)
- 10 years: North Monastery (1970-1980)
- 10 years: St Finbarr's College (1974-1984)
- 9 years: St Kieran's College (1948-1957)
- 9 years: North Monastery (1985-1994)
Top scorers
[edit]All time
[edit]- As of 2023 Croke Cup
# | Name | Team(s) | Goals | Points | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Adrian Mullen | St Kieran's College | 4 | 37 | 49 |
2 | Stephen Power | DLS College | 4 | 36 | 48 |
3 | Harry Shine | St Kieran's College | 4 | 24 | 36 |
In finals
[edit]# | Player | Team | Final | Score | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bernie McMahon | St Flannan's College | 1947 | 4-02 | 14 |
Frank O'Brien | St Finbarr's College | 1969 | 4-02 | 14 | |
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | St Colman's College | 2001 | 2-08 | 14 | |
Tony O'Sullivan | North Monastery | 1980 | 2-08 | 14 | |
5 | Joe Ryan | St Kieran's College | 1971 | 4-00 | 12 |
D. J. Carey | St Kieran's College | 1989 | 3-03 | 12 | |
Richard Grace | Limerick CBS | 1967 | 2-06 | 12 | |
Richie Power | St Kieran's College | 2004 | 1-09 | 12 | |
Mark Kennedy | Presentation College | 2018 | 1-09 | 12 | |
Pádraig Kennedy | St Flannan's College | 1958 | 1-09 | 12 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Ryan, Peter (16 March 2024). "Raphael's push them to brink but kingpins Kieran's claim 25th Croke Cup". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ "CBC Power into first Harty Cup final in 101 years". Irish Independent. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "St Kieran's Or Dublin North Set For Top Oil Schools Hurling Glory". Leinster GAA website. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "6 of the brightest Kilkenny and Tipperary hurling talents chasing Croke Cup glory". The 42. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Ó Muircheartaigh, Joe (14 February 2020). "Bishop Willie Walsh: 'To me the Harty players were giants of men'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Our Lady's block St Kieran's route to an historic four in-a-row". Tipperary Live. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Our Lady's block St Kieran's route to an historic four in-a-row". Tipperary Live. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "All-Ireland Senior Colleges Title 1948". St Kieran's College website. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "St Colmans can move a step closer". Irish Independent. 11 April 2002. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "Mageean Cup". Ulster Schools' GAA website. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ McAleenan, Séamus (6 December 2022). "Mageean Cup: Garron Tower hoping to revive rich history in the competition". The Irish News. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Boys of '62 50 years on". Irish Independent. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Keane, Brendan (12 May 2018). "Special trip down memory lane". Gorey Guardian. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Winning Peter's captains featured in new book". Irish Independent. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Aherne, Tom (19 August 2021). "Then & Now: Limerick hurling great Eamonn Grimes". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "From 1978 Harty Cup final goal poacher to All-Ireland hurling winning coach". The 42. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Hogan, Vincent (29 November 1999). "Birr's success vital to Offaly cause". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Glennon, Stephen (30 November 2022). "St Brigid's history-makers have a special Bond". The Tuam Herald. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Gribbin, Vincent (28 April 1998). "Minors roll back years". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Ahern, Neil (14 January 2008). "Dublin students top of the hurling class". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Keane, Thomas (15 August 2013). "Draws made for Dr Harty Cup '14". The Munster Express. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Larkin, Brendan (9 April 2005). "St Kieran's will be very difficult to dethrone". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "All-Ireland GAA PPS competitions cancelled". Hogan Stand. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Roche, Frank (29 March 2013). "Meath revival needs time". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Masita Ireland extend sponsorship of GAA All-Ireland Post-Primary competitions". GAA website. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Coca-Cola to sponsor colleges GAA finals". Irish Examiner. 15 April 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Bicentenary of first GAA patron Archbishop T.W. Croke". GAA website. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "55 Years of the Croke Cup". Hogan Stand. 19 January 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "Flannan's finest finish". Irish Independent. 19 April 1999. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "All-Ireland Senior Colleges Title 2000". St Kieran's College website. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Harrington, John (6 May 2001). "O'Shaughnessy inspires Colman's". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Harrington, John (29 April 2002). "St Colman's resolve wins battle of nerves". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Larkin, Brendan (28 April 2003). "Awesome Kierans take title". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Gallagher, Mark (4 May 2004). "Power-packed St Kieran's in a different class". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Foley, Cliona (3 May 2005). "O'Connor's new kids on block lift gloom as Flannan's deliver". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "McBride strike crucial as Dublin land first crown". Irish Independent. 2 May 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Power base sees De La Salle land first title". Irish Independent. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "De La Salle hold their nerve". Irish Examiner. 21 April 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Furlong, Brendan (15 April 2009). "Counsel close to causing upset". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Brennan's strike foils Ardscoil bid". Irish Independent. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "O'Hanrahan heaps misery on Ardscoil". Irish Independent. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "All-ireland Colleges SHC FInal: Kilkenny CBS 2-11 Nenagh CBS 3-10". Kilkenny People. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Cahill, Jackie (8 April 2013). "Triumphant Dungarvan 'can divide and conquer'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (7 April 2014). "Kingpins Kieran's add to CBS tale of woe". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Cahill, Jackie (6 April 2015). "'Awesome' Kieran's seal 20th title". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Cormican, Eoghan (29 March 2016). "St Kieran's joy as Ardscoil frustrated again". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Cormican, Eoghan (25 March 2017). "Our Lady's Templemore take home Croke Cup with narrow win over St Kieran's College". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Kane, Conor (31 March 2018). "Despite losing a 10-point lead, St Kieran's claim 22nd Croke cup title". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Egan, Kevin (30 March 2019). "St. Kieran's College continue to dominate school hurling with Croke Cup victory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Keane, Paul (17 March 2022). "Kennedy delivers killer blow as Ardscoil Rís claim historic Croke Cup". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Keane, Paul (17 March 2023). "St Kieran's too strong for Pres in Croke Cup final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Smyth, Ivan (16 March 2024). "St Raphael's preserve honour but St Kieran's excel in extra-time to secure Croke Cup". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
External links
[edit]- Complete Roll of Honour on Kilkenny GAA bible Archived 18 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine