The draw for the opening round fixtures took place on 27 February 1997.

The championship ran from 18 July to 21 September 1997.

[1] The final was played on 21 September 1997 at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, between Ballyheigue and Causeway, in what was their first ever meeting in the final.

Ballyheigue won the match by 0–13 to 0–05 to claim their fourth championship title overall and a second title in succession.

[2][3] Kilmoyley's Maurice Murnane was the championship's top scorer with 2-28.