Although many hurling clubs exist worldwide, only Ireland has a national team (although it includes only players from weaker counties in order to ensure matches are competitive).

From 1971 to 1983, the Ulster Championship was for the weaker counties and the winners played in the Minor "B" All-Ireland series.

Since 2005, the 4 weaker counties in the province have competed instead in the Nicky Rackard Cup or Christy Ring Cup.

The senior champions of these weaker counties are better able to compete at this level.

Although many hurling clubs exist worldwide, only Ireland has a national team (though this is comprised only of players from weaker counties to ensure matches are competitive).

And we have strong local governments and weak counties.

His haul of wickets fell from 97 at 10.91 to 78 at 17.93 and Lancashire became a weak county for the first time in Championship history.

The competition was originally contested by the second teams of the strong counties, and the first teams of the weaker counties.

The competition was then restricted to the weaker counties.

In 1974, he won a 'Special All-Ireland' hurling medal for weaker counties when Kerry defeated Westmeath in the final.