1961–62 National Hurling League Explained

League:1961–62 National Hurling League
Dates:15 October 1961 – 6 May 1962
Teams:20
Two:Kerry
Previous:1960–61
Next:1962–63

The 1961–62 National Hurling League was the 31st season of the National Hurling League.

Division 1

Competition:National Hurling League Division 1
Season:1961-62
Winners:Kilkenny
2nd National League title
Captain: Alfie Hickey
League Topscorer: Christy Ring (13-18)
Matches:28
Prevseason:1960-61
Nextseason:1962-63
Updated:26 February 2017

The league saw a major restructuring for the 1961–62 season. Division 1 was split into Group 1A and Group 1B consisting of five teams each and Group 1C consisting of four teams. The top team in each group qualified for the knock-out stage.

Tipperary came into the season as defending champions of the 1960-61 season. Offaly and Westmeath entered Division 1 as part of the restructuring.

On 6 May 1962, Kilkenny won the title after a 1–16 to 1–8 win over Cork in the final. It was their first league title since 1932-33 and their second league title overall.[1]

Division 1A table

width=20Poswidth=150Teamwidth=20Pldwidth=20Wwidth=20Dwidth=20Lwidth=20Ptswidth=250Notes
1 Cork 44008National League runners-up
2 Waterford 43016
3 Limerick 31022
4 Wexford 41032
5 Carlow 30030

Division 1B table

width=20Poswidth=150Teamwidth=20Pldwidth=20Wwidth=20Dwidth=20Lwidth=20Ptswidth=250Notes
1 Kilkenny 44008National League champions
2 Tipperary 43016
3 Clare 42024
4 Offaly 41032
5 Laois 40040

Division 1C table

width=20Poswidth=150Teamwidth=20Pldwidth=20Wwidth=20Dwidth=20Lwidth=20Ptswidth=250Notes
1 Dublin 32105
2 Galway 32105
3 Westmeath 31022
4 Antrim 30030

Knock-out stage

Semi-final

Final

Top scorer

Top scorers overall
RankPlayerClubTallyTotal
1Christy RingCork13-1857
2Denis HeaslipKilkenny11-0841
3Eddie KeherKilkenny2-2430
4Fran WhelanDublin4-1224
5Donie NealonTipperary5-0823
6John McKennaTipperary6-0220
7Oliver McGrathWexford5-0419
Mick QuaneCork6-0119
8Séamus PowerWaterford4-0517
Tim SweeneyGalway3-0817
Top scorers in a single game
RankPlayerClubTallyTotalOpposition
1Denis HeaslipKilkenny6-0018Offaly
2John McKennaTipperary5-0116Offaly
3Christy RingCork4-0315Carlow
4Oliver McGrathWexford4-0214Carlow
Denis HeaslipKilkenny3-0514Laois
5Christy RingCork3-0312Wexford
Liam DowlingCork3-0312Dublin
Donie NealonTipperary3-0312Offaly
Eddie KeherKilkenny1-0912Clare

Division 2

Competition:National Hurling League Division 2
Season:1961-62
Winners:Kerry
Prevseason:1960-61
Nextseason:1962-63
Updated:26 February 2017

The league saw a major restructuring for the 1961–62 season. Division 2 was split into Group 2A and Group 2B consisting of three teams each. The top team in each group qualified for the knock-out stage.

On 20 May 1962, Kerry won the title after a 3–8 to 1–2 win over Meath.

Division 2A table

width=20Poswidth=150Teamwidth=20Pldwidth=20Wwidth=20Dwidth=20Lwidth=20Ptswidth=250Notes
1 Meath 22004Division 2 runners-up
2 Down 21012
3 Wicklow 20020

Division 2B table

width=20Poswidth=150Teamwidth=20Pldwidth=20Wwidth=20Dwidth=20Lwidth=20Ptswidth=250Notes
1 Kerry 21103Division 2 champions
2 Roscommon 21113
3 Kildare 20020

Knock-out stage

Final

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Hurling League Results 1925-2009. Hogan Stand. 18 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20100805063526/http://www.hoganstand.com/general/leagues/nhlrecords.aspx. 5 August 2010. dead.