There was major disruption to the format of the 1941 championship due to a serious outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease[2] in many parts of Munster and south Leinster.
The championship was run on a knockout provincial basis as usual, however, there was a certain amount of tweaking required to cope with the situation.
Cork were drawn to meet Tipperary in the second semi-final, however, this game was cancelled by the Munster Council at the behest of the Department of Agriculture.
The delayed Cork-Tipperary game took place after the All-Ireland series, however, since Cork had already beaten Limerick this was now deemed to be the Munster decider.
The Department of Agriculture subsequently brought out an order that Kilkenny could not play in the Leinster final until the county was three weeks clear of the disease.