The Nicky Rackard Cup (often referred to as the Rackard Cup) is the third-highest senior inter-county championship overall in hurling. Each year, the champion team in the Nicky Rackard Cup is promoted to the Christy Ring Cup, and the lowest finishing team enters a play-off with possible relegation to the Lory Meagher Cup. The Nicky Rackard Cup, which was introduced for the 2005 season, was the latest initiative in providing a meaningful championship for third tier teams deemed "too weak" for any higher grades.