Each province determines the format for deciding their champions and it may be league, group, knock-out, double-elimination, etc.
The final four qualifier winners re-enter the All-Ireland championship at the quarterfinal stage.
Four Leinster teams (Dublin, Laois, Meath and Westmeath) compete in an initial group stage.
Three Munster teams (Cork, Kerry and Waterford) compete in an initial group stage.
A preliminary round is held to reduce the number of teams to eight who then play four matches.