2008 Ulster Senior Hurling Championship

The 2008 Ulster Senior Hurling Championship was the 63rd installment of the annual Ulster Senior Hurling Championship held under the auspices of the Ulster GAA. Antrim were the defending champions and successfully claimed their ninth consecutive title, beating finalists Down.

Format

The draw for the Ulster championship was seeded and took place in a staggered single elimination format. Antrim and Down received byes until the semifinal, Armagh and Derry to the quarterfinal, and London and Donegal to the second round. All four other teams entered in the first round.

This was the last year where a winning team was granted entry from the Ulster Championship to the 2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship proper. Antrim entered that competition through the Qualifier series. From 2009 onwards, the Ulster championship continued as astandalonee tournament.

The other Ulster teams took part in lower-tier competitions, such as the 2008 Christy Ring Cup, the second-tier All-Ireland hurling championship.

The number of teams in the championship grew enormously since 2007. The entry for 2008, ten, was a record, and for many marked a first foray back into senior championship hurling. All nine historic counties of Ulster took part, in addition to London.

To avoid mismatches, the draw was set so that the weaker counties were not faced with the prospect of facing regional powers Antrim or Down at an early stage; instead, all the other counties took part in a series of elimination matches for the right to meet Antrim or Down in the semifinal.

Team changes

To Championship Re entered championship

Cavan Donegal Fermanagh Monaghan Tyrone

From championship Withdrew from the championship

None

Teams

General Information Ten counties will compete in the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship: CountyLast Provincial TitleLast All-Ireland TitlePosition in 2007 ChampionshipAppearance Antrim2006—Champions Armagh——Quarter-finals Derry2001—Semi-finals Down1997—Runners-up Cavan——— Donegal1932—— Fermanagh——— London—1901Semi-finals Monaghan1915—— Tyrone———

Personnel and kits CountyManagerCaptain(s)Sponsor Antrim Armagh Derry Down Cavan Donegal Fermanagh London Monaghan Tyrone

Team statistics Titles470440Last title2007n/a20011997n/a Titles00230Last titlen/an/a19151932n/a

Bracket

First Round

Second Round

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

Stadia and locations

Championship statistics

Miscellaneous

See also

2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2008 Christy Ring Cup 2008 Nicky Rackard Cup

References