Format
Ten counties contested this year's inaugural competition for the Christy Ring Cup — the prize for the winners of the new Tier Two of the Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Championship. The inaugural competition involved the current middle rank of hurling counties:
- Leinster: Carlow, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Wicklow
- Ulster: Down and Derry
- Connacht: Roscommon and Mayo
- Munster: Kerry
These 10 counties are divided into two groups of five and play in a round-robin format, guaranteeing at least four games each. The eventual group winners and runners-up will qualify for the semi-finals of the Christy Ring Cup. The prize for the winners of the final on August 14 will be promotion to Tier One of the Hurling Championship to contest the Liam McCarthy Cup the following year. Westmeath were the champions so they will play in the Leinster Championship in 2006.
The bottom two teams of both groups will be involved in a four-way relegation play-off with the eventual loser being relegated to Tier Three of the championship. Derry was the team that was relegated from the competition so they will play in the Nicky Rackard Cup in 2006.
Read more about this topic: Christy Ring Cup 2005