1997 National Hurling League


The 1997 National Hurling League was the 66th seasons of the National Hurling League.

Structural changes

At a meeting of Central Council on 18 May 1996, the GAA decided to scrap winter league hurling for a two-year trial period. It was also decided, by a margin of 23 votes to 15, to complete the National Hurling League within the calendar year. After further negotiations the GAA decided to run the league on a March to October basis. Other provisions included the playing of three matches in March, two in April and one each in May and June. The league final was to be played in October. Play-offs to determine the standings of teams within the divisions were also abandoned in favour of using scoring averages.

Division 1

came into the season as defending champions of the 1995-96 season. Laois, Limerick and Wexford joined Division 1 as the promoted teams.
On 5 October 1997, Limerick won the title after a 1-12 to 1-9 win over Galway in the final. It was their 11th league title overall and their first since 1991-92.
Clare, Laois and Wexford were relegated.
Kilkenny's D. J. Carey was the Division 1 top scorer with 5-43.

Table

PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes
1 Kilkenny 750210-
2 Limerick 742110Division 1 champions
3 Galway 750210Division 1 runners-up
4 Tipperary 74129-
5 Offaly 74038-
6 Clare 72145Relegated to Division 2
7 Wexford 72054Relegated to Division 2
8 Laois 70070Relegated to Division 2

Group stage

Knock-out stage

Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final

Top scorers

;Top scorers overall
RankPlayerTeamTallyTotalMatchesAverage
1D. J. CareyKilkenny5-435896.44
2Gary KirbyLimerick4-314376.14
3Johnny DooleyOffaly0-343474.85
4Aidan FlanaganTipperary1-303384.12
5Darragh CoenGalway1-293256.40
6Tom DempseyWexford1-252864.16
7Éamonn ScallanWexford0-252555.00
8David CuddyLaois1-212473.42
8Jamesie O'ConnorClare0-242464.00
10Tommy DunneTipperary1-182182.62

;Top scorers in a single game
RankPlayerTeamTallyTotalOpposition
1D. J. CareyKilkenny2-0915Galway
2Gary KirbyLimerick2-0713Laois
3Rory GantleyGalway2-0511Laois
3Aidan FlanaganTipperary1-0811Wexford
3Johnny DooleyOffaly0-1111Galway
3Tom DempseyWexford0-1111Limerick
7D. J. CareyKilkenny2-0410Tipperary
7Éamonn ScallanWexford0-1010Laois
9Michael ClearyTipperary3-009Kilkenny
9Gary KirbyLimerick0-099Wexford

Division 2

Table

PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes
1 Dublin 770014Promoted to Division 1
2 Cork 760112Promoted to Division 1
3 Waterford 750210Promoted to Division 1
4 Antrim 73046-
5 Meath 73046-
6 London 72054-
7 Westmeath 71062-
8 Kerry 71062-

Group stage

Top scorers

;Top scorers overall
RankPlayerClubTallyTotalMatchesAverage
1Paul FlynnWaterford5-425778.14
2Tom MoloneyLondon3-314075.71
3Ger ManleyCork3-273666.00
4Joe DeaneCork5-203565.83
5Connor McCambridgeAntrim1-313474.85
6Pat PottertonMeath3-243365.60
7Jamesie BrennanDublin0-323274.57
8Billy O'SullivanWaterford5-092464.00
8Seánie McGrathCork4-122473.42
9Gregory O'KaneAntrim3-122173.00
9Eamon MorrisseyDublin2-152163.50

;Top scorers in a single game
RankPlayerClubTallyTotalOpposition
1Connor McCambridgeAntrim1-1215London
1Paul FlynnWaterford1-1215Westmeath
2Alastair ElliotAntrim3-0312Westmeath
2Joe DeaneCork2-0612Antrim
2Tom MoloneyLondon2-0612Antrim
3Alan BrowneCork3-0211Westmeath
3Brendan O'SullivanKerry1-0811Westmeath
4Ger ManleyCork2-0410Antrim
4Pat PottertonMeath2-0410Waterford
4Seánie McGrathCork2-0410Waterford
4Pat PottertonMeath1-0710Antrim