Antrim were the defending champions and successfully claimed their ninth consecutive title, beating finalists Down.

The draw for the Ulster championship was seeded, and took place in a staggered single elimination format.

Antrim and Down received byes until the semifinal, Armagh and Derry to the quarterfinal and London and Donegal to the second round.

The entry for 2008, ten, was a record, and for many marked a first foray back into senior championship hurling.

In order to avoid mismatches, the draw was set so that the weaker counties were not faced with the prospect of facing regional powers Antrim or Down at an early stage; instead all the other counties took part in a series of elimination matches for the right to meet Antrim or down in the semifinal.