[1][2] Cork, who did not compete in 1976-77, won the western zone with full points, defeating holders Tipperary, Clare, Galway and Limerick.
In the play-offs Wexford then beat Kilkenny and Dublin but by the time these matches had been played, the final, fixed for mid-November had to be put forward to March.
Bridget Doyle scored two goals as Wexford won the final by seven points.
Agnes Hourigan wrote in the Irish Press: Last year’s runners-up became champions when they defeated a youthful and dashing Cork combination.
They were forced to make one change in their team before the start, Hannah Cortter replacing Margaret McCarthy.