The 1981 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was the 95th staging of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county hurling tournament. The draw for the 1981 fixtures took place in September 1980. The championship began on 24 May 1981 and ended on 6 September 1981.
Galway were the defending champions but were defeated by Offaly in the final. Westmeath re-entered the Leinster Championship after a three-year absence.
On 6 September 1981, Offaly won the championship following a 2âÂÂ12 to 0âÂÂ15 defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland final. This was their first All-Ireland title ever.
Limerick's Joe McKenna was the championship's top scorer with 7âÂÂ12. Offaly's Pat Delaney was the choice for Texaco Hurler of the Year.
Promoted from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship
Relegated to the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship
Thirteen counties will compete in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: one team from the Connacht Senior Hurling Championship, six teams in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, five teams in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship and one team from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship.
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Quarter-final
Semi-finals
Final
The following matches were broadcast live on television in Ireland on RTÃÂ.