Antrim were the defending champions and successfully claimed their eleventh consecutive title, beating finalists Derry.

Antrim received a bye to the final, down to the semi-final.

Antrim instead entered that competition through the preliminary round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.

The other Ulster teams were not eligible, and took part in the 2012 Christy Ring Cup, the second tier All-Ireland hurling championship.

Unlike in 2011, only four teams entered the competition this year.