2021 Joe McDonagh Cup explained

2021 Joe McDonagh Cup
Dates:26 June – 17 July 2021
Teams:6
Champions: Westmeath
Count:1
Champions Captain:Cormac Boyle
Champions Manager:Shane O'Brien
Runners-Up: Kerry
Runners-Up Captain:Paudie O'Connor
Runners-Up Manager:Fintan O'Connor
Matches:8
Goals:19
Points:351
Relegated: Kildare
Top Scorer: Jack Regan (1-36)
Previous Year:2020
Previous Tournament:2020 Joe McDonagh Cup
Next Year:2022
Next Tournament:2022 Joe McDonagh Cup

The 2021 Joe McDonagh Cup was the fourth staging of the Joe McDonagh Cup since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 2018.[1] The competition, which was delayed for a second successive year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games, began on 26 June 2021. The fixtures were published on 21 April 2021.[2]

Antrim, winner of the 2020 final, were promoted to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, while there was no relegation to or from the competition. Down and Kildare entered the competition from the Christy Ring Cup.[3]

On 17 July 2021, Westmeath won the Joe McDonagh Cup after a 2-28 to 1-24 win over Kerry in the final at Croke Park.[4] It was their first ever cup title having previously lost two finals.[5]

Meath's Jack Regan was the championship's top scorer with 1-36.

Team changes

To Championship

Relegated from the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

Promoted from the Christy Ring Cup

From Championship

Promoted to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

Relegated to the Christy Ring Cup

Teams

General Information

CountyLast Cup titleLast Provincial titleLast All-Ireland titlePosition in 2020 ChampionshipAppearance
Carlow20184th3rd
Down2001Runners-up (Christy Ring Cup)1st
Kerry18911891Runners-up4th
KildareChampions (Christy Ring Cup)1st
Meath5th3rd
Westmeath3rd4th

Personnel and kits

CountyManagerCaptain(s)Sponsor
CarlowTom MullallyIT Carlow
DownRonan SheehanEOS IT Solutions
Kerry Paudie O'ConnorKerry Group
KildareDavid HerityBrian ByrneBrady Family Ham
Meath Nick WeirGlenveagh Properties
Westmeath Shane O'BrienCormac BoyleRenault

Group stage

Group A

TeamQualification
1 Westmeath22002-421-3964Advance to Knockout Stage
2 Carlow21012-403-39-22
3 Kildare20024-374-41-40Advance to Relegation playoff

Group A round 3

Group B

TeamQualification
1 Kerry21013-451-4922Advance to Knockout Stage
2 Down21012-484-4022
3 Meath21012-442-28-42Advance to Relegation playoff

Group B round 3

Knockout stage

Final

Westmeath are promoted to the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.

Relegation Playoff

Kildare are relegated to the 2022 Christy Ring Cup.

Stadia and locations

CountyLocationProvinceStadiumCapacity
CarlowCarlowLeinsterNetwatch Cullen Park
DownNewryUlsterPáirc Esler
KerryTraleeMunsterAustin Stack Park
KildareNewbridgeLeinsterSt. Conleth's Park
MeathNavanLeinsterPáirc Tailteann
WestmeathMullingarLeinsterCusack Park

Statistics

Top scorers

Top scorer overall

RankPlayerClubTallyTotalMatchesAverage
1Jack ReganMeath1-3639313.00
2Shane ConwayKerry1-222538.33
3Jack SheridanKildare2-182438.00
4Chris NolanCarlow0-2121210.50
5Killian DoyleWestmeath0-202036.66
6Paul SheehanDown0-161628.00
7Pádraig BoyleKerry0-151534.00
8Niall MitchellWestmeath2-071334.33
Niall O'BrienWestmeath0-131334.33
10Brian ByrneKildare0-121234.00

In a single game

RankPlayerClubTallyTotalOpposition
1Jack ReganMeath0-1717Kildare
2Jack ReganMeath1-0811Down
Jack ReganMeath0-1111Kerry
Shane ConwayKerry1-0811Down
Chris NolanCarlow0-1111Westmeath
Paul SheehanDown0-1111Meath
7Chris NolanCarlow0-1010Kildare
Shane ConwayKerry0-1010Meath
9Kevin McDonaldCarlow2-028Kildare
James BurkeKildare2-028Carlow
Jack SheridanKildare1-058Westmeath
Jack SheridanKildare1-058Kildare
Killian DoyleWestmeath0-088Kildare

Scoring Events

Miscellaneous

Notes and References

  1. Web site: GAA Congress approve round-robin provincial hurling championships. 30 September 2017. Irish Times. 30 September 2017. Seán. Moran.
  2. Web site: 2021 McDonagh, Ring, Rackard, and Meagher Cup draws. 21 April 2021. Hogan Stand. 21 April 2021.
  3. Web site: Herity guides Kildare to Christy Ring Cup triumph over Down in Croke Park decider. The42. Team. The42. 22 November 2020 .
  4. Web site: Westmeath end Joe McDonagh Cup hoodoo with victory over Kerry at Croke Park. 17 July 2021. Irish Independent. 17 July 2021.
  5. Web site: Westmeath storm past Kingdom to win Joe McDonagh Cup. 17 July 2021. The 42. 4 August 2021.