Naomh Conaill was defending champion after defeating Cill Chartha in a penalty competition held after extra-time of the 2020 final.
[4] The draw for the first two rounds was held in June 2021, with the identity of the 2020 Championship winner still unknown, a first such event in the competition's history.
[11] Naomh Conaill won, after a late Patrick McBrearty goal that would have brought the sides level, was ruled out.
[12] A minute's silence was held before the game in memory of Martin Griffin, whose sudden death occurred the previous day.
Watty Graham's knocked St Eunan's out of that competition with an injury time point from Danny Tallon winning the game at O'Donnell Park, despite St Eunan's scoring the only goal and leading for much of the game and Shaun Patton saving a penalty.