Kilkenny were the defending champions but were defeated by Offaly in the Leinster final.

On 7 September 1980, Galway won the championship following a 2–15 to 3–9 defeat of Limerick in the All-Ireland final.

Galway's Joe Connolly was the choice for Texaco Hurler of the Year.

After a series of disappointing Munster finals in previous years, the Munster Council took the risk of a repetition and decided to stick with an open draw for the 1980 championship.

Similarly, the Leinster Council decided to abandon their policy of seeding Kilkenny and Wexford on opposite sides of the draw in favour of an open draw.