2006 Christy Ring Cup
The 2006 Christy Ring Cup was the second staging of the Christy Ring Cup, the Gaelic Athletic Association's inter-county hurling tournament for second tier teams. The cup began on 3 June 2006 and ended on 6 August 2006. Westmeath were the defending champions, however, they availed of their automatic right of promotion to the All-Ireland Championship. Antrim and London contested the cup for the first time. On 6 August 2006, Antrim won the Christy Ring Cup following a 5-13 to 1-7 defeat of Carlow in the final. This was their first  Christy Ring Cup title. Down's Paul Braniff was the championship's top scorer with 6-26. 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: 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 MacCarthy 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. Group B. Results. Relegation Final. Relegation final Knockout Stages. Semi-finals Final