The 1996–97 Harty Cup was the 77th staging of the Harty Cup since its establishment by the Munster Council of Gaelic Athletic Association in 1918.

[1] The competition ran from 16 October 1996 to 16 March 1997.

St Colman's Colleges uccessfully defended its title.

[2][3][4] in the Harty Cup final on 16 March 1997 at Clonmel GAA Ground, against Nenagh CBS, 1–17 to 0–08, in what was their second consecutive meeting in a final for their sixth successive Harty Cup title overall and a consecutive title since the previous season.

[5][6] St Colman's College's Neil Ronan was the top scorer with 3-38.