All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship


The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual inter-county hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. It is the highest inter-county hurling competition for male players under the age of 17 in Ireland and has been contested every year - except for a three-year absence during the Emergency - since 1928.
The final, currently held on the third Sunday in August, is the culmination of a series of games played during July and August, with the winning team receiving the Irish Press Cup. The qualification procedures for the championship have changed several times throughout its history. Currently, qualification is limited to teams competing in the Leinster and Munster Championships as well as Galway. Having previously been played on a straight knockout basis, the championship has incorporated a round robin since 2018.
Five teams currently participate in the All-Ireland Championship, with the most successful teams coming from the provinces of Leinster and Munster. Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary are considered "the big three" of hurling. They have won 59 championships between them.
The title has been won by 10 different teams, 9 of whom have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are Kilkenny, who have won the championship on 21 occasions. Galway are the current champions.

History

Creation

Since 1887 the All-Ireland Senior Championship had provided inter-county games for adult males. This was supplemented by the creation of the All-Ireland Junior Championship in 1912 which provided a springboard to develop players before progressing to senior level. The All-Ireland Minor Championship was the third championship to be created and was aimed at developing younger players who were under the age of 18.

Beginnings

The inaugural All-Ireland Championship in 1928 used a provincial format. 12 teams contested the respective championships in Leinster and Munster, with Cork and Dublin emerging as the respective champions. There were no representatives in Connacht or Ulster.
Cork and Dublin contested the very first All-Ireland Championship match - the delayed final - on Sunday 1 September 1929 at Croke Park, Dublin. After a draw on the first day, Cork won the All-Ireland final replay on 27 October 1929 to take the title.

Development

The first two All-Ireland Championships featured the Munster and Leinster champions facing off in the All-Ireland final. The Ulster Championship was introduced in the 1930 necessitating the need for an All-Ireland semi-final to be introduced. The Connacht champions qualified for the first time in 1931, with the four provincial winners participating in two All-Ireland semi-finals. Over time the Leinster and Munster teams grew to become the superpowers of the game, as Gaelic football was the more dominant sport in Ulster and Connacht. After some time Galway became the only credible team in Connacht and was essentially given an automatic pass to the All-Ireland semi-final every year. This knock-out system persisted for nearly 60 years and was considered to be the fairest system as the All-Ireland champions would always be the only undefeated team of the year.
In the mid-1990s the Gaelic Athletic Association looked at developing a new system whereby a defeat in the championship for certain teams would not mean an immediate exit from the Championship. In the 1997 championship the first major change in format arrived when the 'back-door system' was introduced. This new structure allowed the defeated Munster and Leinster finalists another chance to regain a place in the All-Ireland semi-finals. Clare and Offaly were the first two teams to benefit from the new system when they qualified for the very first All-Ireland quarter-finals. Clare subsequently became the first team to win the All-Ireland Championship through the 'back-door' after a 1-11 to 1-09 defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland final.

Age reduction

On 26 January 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. This motion was defeated by 115 votes to 58.
In an effort to combat player burnout, a new proposal to change the championship from an under-18 competition to an under-17 one was introduced by GAA Director-General Páraic Duffy at Congress on 26 February 2016. The motion was narrowly passed by a 68.2% majority.

Team dominance

Since the beginning the championship has been dominated by Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary. As of 2019, they have won a combined total of 59 of the 89 championship titles. These three teams began their hegemony by winning 12 of the first 14 championship titles between 1928 and 1941. Cork and Tipperary set the first championship record during this time by becoming the first two teams to win three successive All-Ireland Championships. Dublin became the first team outside of the "big three" to win successive All-Ireland Championships in 1945 and 1946. Tipperary dominated the post-Emergency era by contesting 15 of the 18 All-Ireland finals between 1945 and 1962, including six-in-a-row between 1952 and 1957. They claimed a further eight All-Ireland Championships during this time. After Kilkenny became the third team to win three successive All-Ireland Championships between 1960 and 1962, Wexford won their only three All-Ireland Championships between 1963 and 1968 as Cork reemerged to dominate the fifteen-year period between 1964 and 1979. During this time they claimed eight All-Ireland Championships from 12 final appearances. Kilkenny also reestablished themselves as the standard bearers of the Leinster Championship during this time and won five All-Ireland Championships from 12 final appearances between 1969 and 1984. The 1980s saw Galway and Offaly claim their first All-Ireland Championships, while Limerick secured the Centenary-year title after a lapse of nearly 30 years. Galway emerged as the most dominant team of the 21st century. Between 1999 and 2019 they claimed 10 All-Ireland Championships from 15 final appearances.

Current format

Championship

There are five teams in the All-Ireland Championship. During the course of a championship season six games are played comprising three group stage quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final.

Qualification and progression

Trophy and medals

At the end of the All-Ireland final, the winning team is presented with a trophy. The Irish Press Cup is held by the winning team until the following year's final. Traditionally, the presentation is made at a special rostrum in the Ard Chomairle section of the Hogan 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.
On 30 August 1949, The Irish Press Ltd. announced that they had presented a silver cup to the Gaelic Athletic Association to mark the 21st anniversary of the All-Ireland Championship. The cup is modelled on an ancient Celtic mether. The cup was first presented to John O'Grady of Tipperary in 1949.
In accordance with GAA rules, the Central Council awards up to twenty-six gold medals to the winners of the All-Ireland final. The medals are 9 carat gold and depict the design of the GAA. Trophies are awarded to the All-Ireland runners-up.

Top winners

No.TeamWinsYears wonLossesYears lost
1 Kilkenny211931, 1935, 1936, 1950, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2014231930, 1932, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1948, 1949, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1995, 1998, 2004, 2009, 2018, 2019
2 Tipperary201930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1996, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2016131935, 1945, 1946, 1950, 1954, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1987, 1991, 1999, 2002, 2015
3 Cork181928, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1995, 1998, 2001121936, 1966, 1968, 1975, 1977, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2007, 2017
4 Galway131983, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019201931, 1933, 1941, 1947, 1951, 1955, 1958, 1970, 1973, 1981, 1982, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2013
5 Dublin41945, 1946, 1954, 196561928, 1952, 1953, 1983, 2011, 2012
6 Limerick31940, 1958, 198451963, 1965, 2005, 2014, 2016
6 Wexford31963, 1966, 196831967, 1980, 1985
6 Waterford31929, 1948, 201311992
6 Offaly31986, 1987, 1989
7 Clare1199721989, 2010
8 Laois21934, 1964
8 Meath11929
8 Antrim11940

List of All-Ireland Finals

Recent finals

YearWinnersScoreRunners-upScoreVenueWinning CaptainRef
1966
Wexford6–7
6–7 		Cork6–7
1–8 		Croke Park
Croke Park		Pat Bernie-
1967Cork2–15 Wexford5–3 Croke ParkPat Moylan-
1968Wexford2–13 Cork3–7 Croke ParkTom Byrne-
1969Cork2–15 Kilkenny3–6 Croke ParkSeán Collins-
1970Cork5–19 Galway2–9 Croke ParkPat Kavanagh-
1971Cork2–11 Kilkenny1–11 Croke ParkSéamus Coughlan-
1972Kilkenny8–7 Galway3–9 Croke ParkBrian Cody-
1973Kilkenny4–5 Galway3–7 Croke ParkKevin Robinson-
1974Cork1–10 Kilkenny1–8 Croke ParkBilly Geaney-
1975Kilkenny3–19 Cork1–14 Croke ParkHarry Ryan-
1976Tipperary2–20 Kilkenny1–7 Croke ParkJoe Hogan-
1977
Kilkenny4–8
1–8 		Cork3–11
0–9 		Croke Park
.		Seán Fennelly-
1978Cork1–15 Kilkenny1–8 Croke ParkP. Murphy-
1979Cork2–11 Kilkenny1–9 Croke ParkChristy Coughlan-
1980Tipperary2–15 Wexford1–10 Croke ParkJim Maher-
1981Kilkenny1–20 Galway3–9 Croke ParkE. Kennedy-
1982Tipperary2–7 Galway0–4 Croke ParkJohn Kennedy-
1983Galway0–10 Dublin0–7 Croke ParkAnthony Cunningham-
1984
Limerick1–14
2–5 		Kilkenny3–8
2–4 		Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium		Anthony O'Riordan-
1985Cork3–10 Wexford0–12 Croke ParkM. O'Mahony-
1986Offaly3–12 Cork3–9 Croke ParkM. Hogan-
1987Offaly2–8 Tipperary0–12 Croke ParkT. Moylan-
1988Kilkenny3–13 Cork0–12 Croke ParkPatsy Brophy-
1989Offaly2–16 Clare1–12 Croke ParkBrian Whelahan-
1990
Kilkenny3–14
3–16 		Cork3–14
1–11 		Croke Park
Semple Stadium		James McDermott-
1991Kilkenny0–15 Tipperary1–10 Croke ParkD. O'Neill-
1992Galway1–13 Waterford2–4 Croke ParkConor O'Donovan-
1993Kilkenny1–17 Galway1–12 Croke ParkS. Doyle-
1994Galway2–10 Cork1–11 Croke ParkGreg Kennedy-
1995Cork2–10 Kilkenny1–2 Croke ParkBrian O'Keeffe-
1996
Tipperary0–20
2–14 		Galway3–11
2–12 		Croke Park
Croke Park		William Maher-
1997Clare1–11 Galway1–9 Croke ParkJohn Reddan-
1998Cork2–15 Kilkenny1–9 Croke ParkCathal McCarthy-
1999Galway0–13 Tipperary0–10 Croke ParkJohn Culkin-
2000Galway2–19 Cork4–10 Croke ParkRichie Murray-
2001Cork2–10 Galway1–8 Croke ParkTomás O'Leary-
2002Kilkenny3–15 Tipperary1–7 Croke ParkMichael Rice-
2003Kilkenny2–16 Galway2–15 Croke ParkRichie Power-
2004
Galway3–12
0–16 		Kilkenny1–18
1–12 		Croke Park
O'Connor Park		John Lee-
2005Galway3–12 Limerick0–17 Croke ParkAndrew Keary-
2006Tipperary2–18 Galway2–7 Croke ParkJoey McLoughney-
2007Tipperary3–14 Cork2–11 Croke ParkBrendan Maher-
2008Kilkenny3–6 Galway0–13 Croke ParkThomas Breen-
2009Galway2–15 Kilkenny2–11 Croke ParkRichie Cummins-
2010Kilkenny2–10 Clare0–14 Croke ParkCillian Buckley-
2011Galway1–21 Dublin1–12 Croke ParkShane Moloney-
2012Tipperary2–13
2–18 		Dublin1–16
1–12 		Croke ParkBill Maher
2013Waterford1–21 Galway0–16 Croke ParkKevin Daly
2014Kilkenny2–17 Limerick0–19 Croke ParkDarragh Joyce
2015Galway4–13 Tipperary1–16 Croke ParkSeán Loftus
2016Tipperary1–21 Limerick0–17 Croke ParkBrian McGrath
2017Galway2–17 Cork2–15 Croke ParkDarren Morrissey
2018Galway0–21 Kilkenny0–14 Croke ParkSeán Neary
2019Galway3–14 Kilkenny0–12 Croke ParkIan McGlynn-

All-time record

YearWinnerOpponent
1965Dublin 4–10Limerick 2–7
1964Cork 10–7Laois 1–4
1963Wexford 6–12Limerick 5–9
1962Kilkenny 3–6Tipperary 0–9
1961Kilkenny 3–13Tipperary 0–15
1960Kilkenny 7–12Tipperary 1–11
1959Tipperary 2–8Kilkenny 2–7
1958Limerick 5–8Galway 3–10
1957Tipperary 4–7Kilkenny 3–7
1956Tipperary 4–16Kilkenny 1–5
1955Tipperary 5–15Galway 2–5
1954Dublin 2–7Tipperary 2–3
1953Tipperary 8–6Dublin 3–6
1952Tipperary 9–9Dublin 2–3
1951Cork 4–5Galway 1–8
1950Kilkenny 3–4Tipperary 1–5
1949Tipperary 6–5Kilkenny 2–4
1948Waterford 3–8Kilkenny 4–2
1947Tipperary 9–5Galway 1–5
1946Dublin 1–6Tipperary 0–7
1945Dublin 3–14Tipperary 4–6
1944Suspended
1943Suspended
1942Suspended
1941Cork 3–11Galway 1–1
1940Limerick 6–4Antrim 2–4
1939Cork 5–2Kilkenny 2–2
1938Cork 7–2Kilkenny 5–4
1937Cork 8–5Kilkenny 2–7
1936Kilkenny 2–4Cork 2–3
1935Kilkenny 4–2Tipperary 3–3
1934Tipperary 4–3Laois 3–5
1933Tipperary 4–6Galway 2–3
1932Tipperary 8–6Kilkenny 5–1
1931Kilkenny 4–7Galway 2–3
1930Tipperary 4–1Kilkenny 2–1
1929Waterford 5–0Meath 1–1
1928Cork 1–8 7–6 Dublin 3–2 4–0

Managers

in the All-Ireland Championship are involved in the day-to-day running of the team, including the training, team selection, and sourcing of players from the club championships. Their influence varies from county-to-county and is related to the individual county boards. The manager is assisted by a team of two or three selectors and an extensive backroom team consisting of various coaches. Prior to the development of the concept of a manager in the 1970s, teams were usually managed by a team of selectors with one member acting as chairman.
ManagerTeamWinsWinning years
Michael O'BrienCork61969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1979
Mattie MurphyGalway61992, 1994, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011
Liam BarronKilkenny31990, 1991, 1993
Jeffrey LynskeyGalway32015, 2017, 2018
Pad Joe WhelehanOffaly21986, 1987
John HardimanGalway21999, 2000
Richie MulrooneyKilkenny22008, 2010
Johnny CliffordCork11985
Brendan O'SullivanKilkenny11988
Pat MoylanOffaly11989
Jimmy Barry-MurphyCork11995
Dinny CahillTipperary11996
Kevin KennedyClare11997
Denis BurnsCork11998
John ConsidineCork12001
Nicky CashinKilkenny12002
Damien BrennanKilkenny12003
Liam SheedyTipperary12006
Declan RyanTipperary12007
William MaherTipperary12012
Seán PowerWaterford12013
Brian RyanLimerick12014
Liam CahillTipperary12016
Brian HanleyGalway12019

Records and statistics

By decade

The most successful team of each decade, judged by number of All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship titles, is as follows:
Longest gaps between successive All-Ireland titles:

By year

YearTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
1986Dan O'ConnellCork9-0229
1987Declan PilkingtonOffaly2-2834
1988Brian CunninghamCork3-2938
1989Johnny DooleyOffaly
1990Damien FlemingCork7-2748
1991P. J. DelaneyKilkenny2-2935
1992Paul FlynnWaterford6-2543
1993Ollie O'ConnorKilkenny5-3550
1994Brian O'DriscollCork0-2626
1995Stephen PhillipsDublin2-2430
1996Eugene O'NeillTipperary3-4857
1997Henry ShefflinKilkenny5-2035
1998Leon O'ConnellWexford3-3746
1999Eoin KellyTipperary1-2124
2000Brian CarrollOffaly2-3945
2001Kieran MurphyCork5-3853
2002Richard FlynnWexford4-2335
2003Richie PowerKilkenny1-2932
2004Darragh HickeyTipperary4-2941
2005Eoin RyanLimerick4-4052
2006Richie HoganKilkenny5-3853
2007Ryan CliffordCork5-3045
2008Michael O'HanlonWexford3-3746
2009John O'DwyerTipperary4-3749
2010Niall ArthurClare0-5050
2011Mattie LennonArmagh4-2537
2012Bobby DugganClare3-4958
2013Patrick CurranWaterford3-5665
2014Alan MurphyKilkenny3-4655
2015Andrew GaffneyKilkenny1-3841
2016Rory O'ConnorWexford3-3339
2017Brian TurnbullCork1-5154
2018Conor KellyKilkenny2-7278
2019Billy DrennanKilkenny2-6672

In finals

FinalTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
2012John McGrathLimerick1-1114
2013Patrick CurranWaterford1-0710
2014John WalshKilkenny2-0511
2015Evan NilandGalway0-099
2016Brian RyanLimerick0-1111
2017Jack CanningGalway2-0210
2017Brian TurnbullCork1-0710
2018Donal O'SheaGalway0-1010
2019Seán McDonaghGalway2-0814