All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Championship


The GAA Hurling Under-20 All-Ireland 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 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.
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 and Kilkenny, who have each won the championship on 11 occasions. Tipperary are the current holders.

History

Creation

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, junior, minor and intermediate.

Beginnings

The inaugural All-Ireland Championship in 1964 used a provincial format. 16 teams contested the respective championships in Leinster and Munster, with Tipperary and Wexford emerging as the respective champions. Roscommon and Antrim 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 Tipperary defeating Wexford to take the title.

Proposed changes

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. This motion was defeated by 115 votes to 58.
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.

Development

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. 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 will be eligible to play both under-20 and senior hurling for their county.

Format

Qualification

ProvinceChampionshipTeams progressing
LeinsterLeinster Under-20 Hurling ChampionshipChampions and runners-up
MunsterMunster Under-20 Hurling ChampionshipChampions and runners-up

Championship

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.

Venues

Attendances

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

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

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, Croke Park, Nowlan Park, Gaelic Grounds and O'Connor Park.

Trophy and medals

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 original trophy was known as the Cross of Cashel. Awarded for the first time in 1967, the trophy depicted the crucifixion of Jesus. P. J. Ryan of Tipperary was the first recipient. After nearly 50 years the trophy was retired following the conclusion of the 2015 championship. Diarmaid Byrnes of Limerick was the last captain to receive the trophy.
In 2016 the GAA established a new cup named 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.
In accordance with GAA rules, the Central Council awards up to twenty-four gold medals to the winners of the All-Ireland final.

Sponsorship

Since 2003, the All-Ireland Championship has been sponsored. The sponsor has usually been able to determine the championship's sponsorship name.
PeriodSponsorName
1964-2002No main sponsorThe All-Ireland Under-21 Championship
2003-2008 Erin FoodsThe Erin All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
2009–2018 Bord Gáis EnergyThe Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
2019- Bord Gáis EnergyThe Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Championship

Finals Listed By Year

YearWinnersScoreRunners-upScoreVenueWinning Captain
1964Tipperary8-9Wexford3-1Nowlan ParkFrancis Loughnane
1965Wexford3-7Tipperary1-4Nowlan ParkWillie O'Neill
1966Cork9-9 Wexford5-9 Croke Park Gerald McCarthy
1967Tipperary1-18Dublin3-7Croke ParkP. J. Ryan
1968Cork2-18Kilkenny3-9Walsh ParkPat Hegarty
1969Cork5-13Wexford4-7Walsh ParkMick McCarthy
1970Cork5-17 Wexford0-8 Croke ParkTeddy O'Brien
1971Cork7-8Wexford1-11Walsh ParkPat McDonnell
1972Galway2-9Dublin1-10Gaelic GroundsIggy Clarke
1973Cork2-10Wexford4-2Páirc DaibhínMartin O'Doherty
1974Kilkenny3-8Waterford3-7Semple StadiumGer Fennelly
1975Kilkenny5-13Cork2-19Fraher FieldKevin Fennelly
1976Cork2-17Kilkenny1-8Walsh ParkTadhg Murphy
1977Kilkenny2-9Cork1-9Semple StadiumMickey Lyng
1978Galway3-15 Tipperary2-8 Gaelic GroundsBernie Forde
1979Tipperary2-12Galway1-9O'Moore ParkMichael Doyle
1980Tipperary2-9Kilkenny0-14Walsh ParkP. J. Maxwell
1981Tipperary2-16Kilkenny1-10Walsh ParkPhilip Kennedy
1982Cork0-12Galway0-11St. Brendan's ParkMartin McCarthy
1983Galway0-12Tipperary1-6O'Connor ParkPeter Casserly
1984Kilkenny1-12Tipperary0-11Walsh ParkSéamus Delahunty
1985Tipperary1-10Kilkenny2-6Walsh ParkMichael Scully
1986Galway0-14Wexford2-5Semple StadiumAnthony Cunningham
1987Limerick2-15Galway3-6Cusack ParkGussie Ryan
1988Cork4-11Kilkenny1-5St. Brendan's ParkChristy Connery
1989Tipperary4-10Offaly3-11O'Moore ParkDeclan Ryan
1990Kilkenny2-11Tipperary1-11O'Moore ParkJamesie Brennan
1991Galway2-17Offaly1-9Gaelic GroundsBrian Feeney
1992Waterford0-12 Offaly2-3 Nowlan ParkTony Browne
1993Galway2-9 Kilkenny3-3 O'Connor ParkLiam Burke
1994Kilkenny3-10Galway0-11O'Connor ParkPhilly Larkin
1995Tipperary1-14Kilkenny1-10Semple StadiumBrian Horgan
1996Galway1-14Wexford0-7Semple StadiumPeter Huban
1997Cork3-11Galway0-13Semple StadiumDan Murphy
1998Cork2-15Galway2-10Semple StadiumDan Murphy
1999Kilkenny1-13Galway0-14O'Connor ParkNoel Hickey
2000Limerick1-13Galway0-13Semple StadiumDonncha Sheehan
2001Limerick0-17Wexford2-10Semple StadiumTimmy Houlihan
2002Limerick3-17Galway0-8Semple StadiumPeter Lawlor
2003Kilkenny2-13Galway0-12Semple StadiumJackie Tyrrell
2004Kilkenny3-12Tipperary1-6Nowlan ParkJames "Cha" Fitzpatrick
2005Galway1-15Kilkenny1-14Gaelic GroundsKenneth Burke
2006Kilkenny1-11 Tipperary0-11 Semple Stadium Michael Fennelly
2007Galway5-11Dublin0-12Croke ParkKevin Hynes
2008Kilkenny2-13Tipperary0-15Croke ParkJames Dowling
2009Clare0-15Kilkenny0-14Croke ParkCiarán O'Doherty
2010Tipperary5-22Galway0-12Semple StadiumPádraic Maher
2011Galway3-14Dublin1-10Semple StadiumBarry Daly
2012Clare2-17Kilkenny2-11Semple StadiumConor McGrath
2013Clare2-28Antrim0-12Semple StadiumPaul Flanagan
2014Clare2-20Wexford2-11Semple StadiumTony Kelly
2015Limerick0-26Wexford1-7Semple StadiumDiarmaid Byrnes
2016Waterford5-15Galway0-14Semple StadiumAdam Farrell & Patrick Curran
2017Limerick0-17Kilkenny0-11Semple StadiumTom Morrissey
2018Tipperary3-13Cork1-16Gaelic GroundsColin English
2019Tipperary5-17Cork1-18Gaelic GroundsCraig Morgan

Wins Listed By County

No.TeamWinsYears WonLossesYears Runner-Up
1 Tipperary111964, 1967, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1995, 2010, 2018, 201981965, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1990, 2004, 2006, 2008
1 Cork111966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1997, 199831975, 1977, 2018, 2019
1 Kilkenny111974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1990, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008121968, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2017
2 Galway101972, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2005, 2007, 2011111979, 1982, 1987, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2010, 2016
4 Limerick61987, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2015, 2017
5 Clare42009, 2012, 2013, 2014
6 Waterford21992, 201611974
7 Wexford11965121964, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2014, 2015
8 Dublin41967, 1972, 2007, 2011
9 Offaly31989, 1991, 1992
10 Antrim12013

Performances by province

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 30 titles, followed by Leinster with 12 titles and Connacht with 10 titles. A team from Ulster has made the championship final just once, but was defeated by a Munster side.

Records and statistics

By decade

The most successful team of each decade, judged by number of All-Ireland Under-21 and Under-20 Hurling Championship titles, is as follows:
Longest gaps between successive All-Ireland titles:

In finals

FinalTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
1996Kevin BroderickGalway1-025
1996Paul CoddWexford0-055
1997Eugene CloonanGalway0-077
1998Eugene CloonanGalway1-0811
1999Henry ShefflinKilkenny0-088
1999Eugene CloonanGalway0-088
2000Mark KeaneLimerick1-0811
2001Mark KeaneLimerick0-077
2002Andrew O'ShaughnessyLimerick2-028
2003Conor PhelanKilkenny1-047
2003Ger FarragherGalway0-077
2004Richie PowerKilkenny0-077
2005Eoin LarkinKilkenny1-0912
2006Darragh EganTipperary1-058
2007Alan McCrabbeDublin0-099
2008Matthew RuthKilkenny2-028
2008Pa BourkeTipperary0-088
2009Colin RyanClare0-099
2010Seán CareyTipperary1-036
2010Brian O'MearaTipperary1-036
2010John O'DwyerTipperary1-036
2011Tadhg HaranGalway1-036
2012Cathal O'ConnellClare1-069
2013Cathal O'ConnellClare0-1111
2014Tony KellyClare0-077
2014Jack GuineyWexford0-077
2015Conor McDonaldWexford1-047
2016Patrick CurranWaterford1-0912
2017Aaron GillaneLimerick0-077
2018Jake MorrisTipperary1-047
2019Billy SeymourTipperary2-0511