Retiring Down star Paul Braniff laments plan for Christy Ring Cup

Down star Paul Braniff has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling and says the Hurling 2020 committee’s proposal to take the Christy Ring Cup final out of Croke Park does nothing for the game’s promotion.

While the 2020 committee’s report did propose automatic promotion for the winners of the Christy Ring, it also suggested playing the decider, traditionally head at headquarters, before a high-profile Liam McCarthy Cup qualifier.

“It doesn’t do a hell of a lot for what’s known as ‘second tier hurling’,” said Braniff.