Walsh Cup (hurling)
The Walsh Cup (Irish: Corn Uí Bhreatnaigh), originally known as the Leinster Accident Fund Tournament, is an annual hurling competition organised by the Leinster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) since 1954 for the top inter-county and third-level hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland. Selected teams from the provinces of Ulster and Connacht have also competed in the tournament since 2003. Contested by 12 teams, it operates on a straight knockout system. The competition runs from January to February, with most games played on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the others during weekday evenings. Sponsored by Bord na Móna, it is therefore officially known as the Bord na Móna Walsh Cup.
The Walsh Cup is part of a series of pre-season GAA tournaments known as the Bord na Móna Leinster GAA Series along with the Kehoe Cup and the O'Byrne Cup. The original purpose of these competitions was to raise funds to supplement an injury scheme for the players. Nowadays, the funds generated are used to alleviate hardship among players, mentors and families who are in financial difficulties. The funds are administered through the twelve counties of the province. Apart from this, these competitions provide an excellent opportunity for the teams to select their panel for the year and prepare for the upcoming season.
Since the inception of the Walsh Cup in 1954, a total of 9 teams have won the tournament. Kilkenny have been the most successful team having won 18 titles. The current title holders are Dublin, who won the 2013 tournament.
Read more about Walsh Cup (hurling): History, Format, Sponsorship, Records and Statistics, Walsh Cup Shield
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