Ballygunner won the match by 2-17 to 1-19 to claim their first ever All-Ireland title.

Normally it is the club team that exited the county championship at the highest stage.

The Galway champions represent Connacht in the All-Ireland senior club semi-finals as Galway club hurling is at higher level than the hurling in the other four Connacht counties.

Some Leinster, Munster and Ulster counties enter their senior champions in the All-Ireland intermediate club championship (tier 2) as it is recognised that club hurling is weak in those counties.

If the score is still level after extra time the match is replayed.