Sarsfield's were the defending champions and made it all the way to the final, however, they were defeated by Midleton on a 2–15 to 2–13 score line.
[1][2] Sarsfield's were installed as the early favourites to retain the title for a fourth time in six years and put back-to-back titles together for the first time in their history.
Midleton and Cork Institute of Technology were regarded as the two teams that could provide the strongest challenge to Sarsfield's supremacy once again.
St. Finbarr's were ranked at 25/1 as they hoped to end a twenty-year wait for the Seán Óg Murphy Cup.
Divisional side and Gaelic football stronghold Duhallow were bottom of the pile and are tipped at 100/1 to take the title.