Cork were the defending champions, however, they were defeated by Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.

On 22 September 1974, Dublin won the championship following a 0–14 to 1–6 defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland final.

[1] This was their 18th All-Ireland title, their first in eleven championship seasons.

Dublin's Jimmy Keaveney was the championship's top scorer with 1–36.

Dublin manager Kevin Heffernan was the choice for Texaco Footballer of the Year, the first time that the award went to a manager instead of a player.