Intercounty hurling championship is back on the table for Ulster

The Ulster senior hurling championship is firmly back on the agenda, with the newly formed Hurling Development Committee (HDC) citing it as a key objective in the very near future.

The Ulster championship ran from 1901 until being discontinued in 2017, with Antrim at the top of the Roll of Honour with 57 titles. The 2017 final saw the Saffrons defeat Armagh on a scoreline of 5-22 to 1-12 in Owenbeg Centre of Excellence. Derry won four Ulster championships, with their last coming in 2001, and their last final appearance in 2014.

That was an agonising day for Derry at Owenbeg, as they just lost out on a one-point margin, as Armagh won their 13th hurling title. A red card to Tiarnan McCloskey ultimately proved costly for the home side, who, despite their numerical disadvantage, went into the break leading by a point. Derry continued to battle hard in the second half in difficult circumstances, but Daniel McKernan slotted over a superb late winner to ensure that the Liam Harvey Cup would stay in Antrim. That was Derry's last chance, but that could now change in the future.

The HDC, spearheaded by the new National Head of Hurling, Willie Maher, has reaffirmed its backing of the championship’s return at the earliest possible date, but only with support from the Ulster Council.

“Hurling needs space to breathe, and currently it doesn’t really have that in Ulster,” said Maher. “Now to get the championship reinstated is something that is high on our list of priorities because the players in Derry and across Ulster deserve their opportunity to play in their provincial championship.”

GAA National Head of Hurling Willie Maher is hoping to bring back the Ulster senior hurling championship. (Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile)

“It was discussed in our development committee meetings in the past month, so it’s on our agenda. Where it’s at now is that it needs to be pushed with the Ulster Council to get it reinstated. It’s something that we are fully supportive of and is very much on the agenda for Ulster hurling,” he said.

The exact structure of the championship remains very much up for debate. Former Antrim star and current HDC member Neil McManus believes that a truly representative Ulster Championship—one that includes participation from every county—is essential for the development of hurling in the province.

At under-20 level, the Ulster Hurling Championship currently operates on a tiered system, with staggered fixtures. The top team earns promotion to a higher division within the same season, where they go on to compete against stronger opposition. McManus believes this model could be the best path forward for the senior championship as well.

“It absolutely should be reinstated,” said McManus. “Outside of Antrim, we could do it in two groups where you seed the participants in a group of four.”

“We could have Cavan, Monaghan, Tyrone, and probably Fermanagh in one group playing to see who would come through to play Armagh and Donegal in a group of three, with Down and Derry in a semi-final. Antrim’s participation would probably depend on whether or not they’re in Liam McCarthy and the Leinster Championship.” 

The Derry team who just lost out to Antrim in the 2014 Ulster Senior Hurling Championship final at Owenbeg. This was Derry's last final, to date. (Photo: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile)

Maher highlighted the strength of the club game in Ulster as a crucial foundation for the future of hurling in the province, pointing to the continued success of clubs like Slaughtneil as a key indicator of that growth.

He also stressed the importance of RTÉ’s coverage of this year’s club championships, saying the exposure is vital for raising standards and promoting the game across Ulster.

“I think the club championships have been immense. The importance of promotion cannot be overestimated. RTE showing the Ulster Club Championship last year shone a light on just how good hurling is in the province.”

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“The clubs that compete in the Ulster Club Championship are well able to compete with any other club in Ireland. The Slaughtneils, the Cushendalls, and the Portaferrys - now it’s about building that base outwards. How do we get more of them to compete at that level consistently?”