Dr Croke Cup

The All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Croke Cup, is an annual inter-schools hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association.

Currently, qualification for the All-Ireland series is limited to teams competing in Connacht, Leinster and Munster.

[1] Inter-colleges hurling competitions had been played since 1918, with the Leinster Championship and Dr Harty Cup both being formed that year.

Similarly, an annual inter-provincial competition between Connacht, Leinster and Munster had been taking place, with the best college players from the respective provinces being picked to form the teams.

Representatives from the Ulster Championship were allowed to contest the All-Ireland series for the first time in 1964, however, their participation was shortlived.

By that stage, the championship had undergone a further expansion when the introduction of a "back door system" in 2005 allowed the defeated Leinster and Munster finalists entry into the All-Ireland series for the first time.

It was commissioned to honour Thomas Croke (1824–1902), who was the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly and one of the first patrons of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

[27][28] Traditionally, the victory presentation takes place at a special rostrum in the main grandstand of the stadium.