The series of games began every year immediately after the completion of the National Hurling League with the All-Ireland final being played in June or July, initially in Croke Park, Dublin but later in provincial venues around the country and in Britain.

The history of the championship was bookended by victories for Kildare, winners of the first title in 1974 and the last in 2004.

Following ongoing one-sided matches in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship between counties of differing standards, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) began considering the addition of a tournament for so-called weaker senior counties who were usually eliminated in the early stages of their respective provincial championship.

The GAA found broad support for the introduction of a second-tier championship and canvassed options for its potential structure and future inclusion within the annual calendar.

Second and third-tier competitions have already been incorporated in hurling for several years, such as the Intermediate and Junior championships.