[1] Mayo, the 2016 champions, were promoted to the 2017 Christy Ring Cup after defeating Derry in the promotion/relegation playoff 1–21 to 1–14.

The 2017 Nicky Rackard Cup is played in a double-elimination format.

The seven teams competing in 2017 were Armagh, Derry, Donegal, Longford, Louth, Monaghan, and Tyrone.

Normally contested by the two losers from round 2B as both these teams lost their first two matches.

In 2017, no team was relegated as Fingal withdrew, thereby creating a vacant place in the normal eight-team Nicky Rackard Cup which was taken up by Warwickshire, the winners of the 2017 Lory Meagher Cup.