John Crossey's Down side will be involved in the Christy Ring Cup

Ulster counties Derry and Down will be among the 10 counties competing in the second tier Christy Ring Cup.

Two groups of five teams will be drawn and each team will play four games in the round robin stage.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals with final a curtainer raiser ahead of the All-Ireland Senior Semi-Final on 14 August.

Other teams participating in the Christy Ring Championship are Roscommon, Mayo, Westmeath, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Carlow and Kerry.

The teams participating in the third tier Nicky Rackard Cup will be Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Armagh, Louth, Longford and London.

The teams will be divided into three groups (two groups of four teams and one group of three).

We are delighted to name these two new competitions after two legends GAA president Sean Kelly

The runners-up of the two groups of four will meet in a quarter final with the winners of this game joining the three group winners in the semi-finals.

The final of the Rackard Cup will be played in Croke Park on 21 August as a curtain raiser to the second All Ireland hurling championship semi-final.

Warwickshire have also applied to be included in this competition although a decision on their entry hasn't yet been made.

Members of the Ring and Rackard families were present at Croke Park today.

GAA president Sean Kelly said that association was "delighted to name these two new competitions after two legends of the game of hurling".

"In their time, both players gave immeasurable entertainment to supporters of the game and we hope that their spirit will live on in these new competitions," added Kelly.

A team of the championship would be picked in each competition, along similar lines to the current All Stars scheme.