were divided into four groups of three and played in a round-robin format, thus limiting each team to just two games each. The eventual group winners and runners-up qualified for the knock-out quarter-finals of the competition. 2009-2017 In 2009 a double elimination format was introduced, thus guaranteeing each team at least two games before being eliminated from the competition. The eight teams play four Round 1 matches. The winners in Round 1 advance to Round 2A. The losers in Round 1 go into Round 2B. There are two Round 2A matches. The winners in Round 2A advance to the semi-finals. The losers in Round 2A go into the quarter-finals. There are two Round 2B matches. The winners in Round 2B advance to the quarter-finals. The losers in Round 2B go into the relegation playoff. The losers of the relegation playoff are relegated to the Lory Meagher Cup for the following year. There are two quarter-final matches between the Round 2A losers and Round 2B winners. The winners of the quarter-finals advance to the semi-finals. The losers of the quarter-finals are eliminated. There are two semi-final matches between the Round 2A winners and the quarter-final winners. The winners of the semi-finals advance to the final. The losers of the semi-finals are eliminated. The winners of the final win the Nicky Rackard Cup and are promoted to the Christy Ring Cup for the following year. 2018-present Beginning in 2018, the Nicky Rackard Cup changed format, with initial ties played in group stages, which in 2018 consisted of one of four teams and one of three. Previously it was a double elimination tournament. The top two teams from both groups advance to the cup semi-finals. The bottom team from each group will progress to a relegation final. The winner of the Nicky Rackard Cup will be promoted to the Christy Ring Cup, For 2018 only, 2 teams will be relegated from the 2018 Christy Ring Cup to the 2019 Nicky Rackard Cup to bring the number of teams in the 2019 edition to an even 8, allowing for two groups of 4. The loser of the relegation final will be relegated to the Lory Meagher Cup, to be replaced by the winner of the previous years competition. List of finals Team records and statistics Wins by province Player records Top scorers per championship Top scorers: final References All-Ireland inter-county hurling championships Hurling cup