The 1980–81 National Hurling League was the 50th season of the National Hurling League (NHL), an annual hurling competition for the GAA county teams.

[3] The National Hurling League's top division was divided into two groups - 1A and 1B.

The top two teams in Division 1A advance to the semi-finals.

The third- and fourth-placed teams in 1A, as well as the top two from 1B, play in the quarter-finals.

Play-offs Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final