It is the sixth tier overall in the entire Cork hurling championship system and is regarded as one of the toughest club competitions to win.

The 7 participating teams compete in a single-elimination tournament which culminates with the final match at Páirc Uí Rinn in October or November.

Established in 1895 as the "seconds championship", by the 1930s it developed along divisional lines due to the increased number of clubs participating.

Born in Milltown, County Kerry, Johnny Quirke (1911–1983) played hurling for Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior hurling team for 14 years, during which time he won four successive All-Ireland Championships between 1941 and 1944.

He served as a Cork selector for many years and was deeply involved at all levels with the Blackrock club.

[2] TSB Bank became the first title sponsor of the championship, serving in that capacity until 2005 when the Evening Echo signed a sponsorship deal.

In 2020, Dairygold Co-Op Superstores were unveiled as the new title sponsor of the Cork Junior A Championship.