Format
Ten counties contested the 2006 competition for the Christy Ring Cup — the prize for the winners of Tier Two of the Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Championship. The inaugural competition involved the current middle rank of hurling counties:
- Leinster: Carlow, Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow
- Ulster: Antrim and Down
- Connacht: Roscommon and Mayo
- Munster: Kerry
- England: London
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 will be promotion to Tier One of the Hurling Championship to contest the Liam McCarthy Cup the following year.
The last team in each group will be involved in a relegation play-off with the eventual loser being relegated to the Nicky Rackard Cup.
Read more about this topic: Christy Ring Cup 2006