Ulster GAA have no immediate plans to revive their provincial hurling championship despite Down's two recent victories over Antrim.
Ronán Sheehan’s side claimed late Division 2 and Joe McDonagh Cup successes over Davy Fitzgerald’s team with Bredagh’s Donal Hughes scoring additional time goals in both to seal famous wins.
The former was Down’s first win over Antrim since 2001 while the latter – coming so quickly after that landmark win – has opened up the debate on whether or not the Saffrons remain the province’s top team.
Antrim’s dominance was one of a number of reasons for the competition’s discontinuation as their 2017 final win over Armagh – the last time the Ulster championship was played - was their 16th title in a row.
In April 2004, the GAA’s hurling development committee also introduced new tiered championships that saw the Ulster championship decoupled from the All-Ireland series from 2005 onwards – robbing the provincial tournament of its main prize.
While the weekend’s result in Dunloy has put the Liam Harvey Cup back in focus, RTÉ Sport understands that the northern provincial body has no immediate plans to resurrect the competition – and doesn’t expect that position to change any time soon.
'We're at our lowest ebb in a decade' - Neil McManus gives his reaction after Antrim's loss at home to Down in their Joe McDonagh Cup opener pic.twitter.com/4Y9Wu6tWkS
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 18, 2026
The main obstacle is where it would fit in the calendar with discussions with counties in recent seasons suggesting no appetite to play after the conclusion of their respective All-Ireland championship campaigns.
Suggestions of a pre-league championship are also difficult with Ulster GAA strong supporters of the Conor McGurk pre-season tournament that has been played for in seven of the last eight seasons.
Also, Ulster GAA would also have reservations about an Ulster championship that realistically still would have only two genuine contenders.
Derry, the last county apart from Antrim to win the competition 25 years ago, were relegated to Division 3 this year. Their only Ulster derby in that division next season will be against Tyrone with Armagh and Fermanagh relegated to a Division 4 already housing Cavan and Monaghan.
Apart from Down, Donegal are the only other Ulster county making clear progress as they will play in Division 2 in 2027, their second time there in three seasons.
Watch Cork v Limerick in the Munster Hurling Championship on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
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