The competition took on its current name in 2020, adding a round-robin group stage and limiting the number of club and divisional entrants.

In its present format, the Cork Premier Senior Championship begins with a preliminary qualifying round for the divisional teams and educational institutions.

The three group winners and three runners-up proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in October.

Plans to hold championships in both hurling and football were drawn up over the following weeks, with an advert inviting teams to enter appearing in the Cork Examiner on 15 January 1887.

Agahda and Cork National Hurling Club each entered two teams, while Aghabullogue, Ballinhassig, Ballygarvan, Blarney, Carrignavar, Charleville, Douglas, Evergreen Road, Glasheen, Inniscarra, Little Island, Mogeely, Monkstown, Passage, Quarry Road, St. Finbarr's, St Mary's and Tower Street each entered one team.

The semi-final between Cork Nationals Hurling Club 1st 21 and St. Finbarr's ended after twenty minutes when both sides and the match officials disagreed over the awarding of a point.

[6] The War of Independence (1919-1921) saw Cork take a prominent role, something which had an adverse effect on the smooth running of the championships.

Civil unrest following a series of events, including the murder of Lord Mayor Tomás Mac Curtain, the death from hunger strike of Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney and the burning of Cork at the height of the war, resulted in the 1920 championship being delayed by two years and the entire cancellation of the 1921 championship.

On 20 August 1976, Glen Rovers defeated Seandún by 4-10 to 1-06 in the first senior championship game to take place at the newly-built Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

At the County Convention on 5 February 1978, delegates voted by 143 to 93 in favour of abandoning the knock-out format and adopting a group stage.

In 2000 a double-elimination format was introduced which afforded all club teams a second chance by remaining in the championship after a first-round defeat.

[13] Since that zenith the "big three" have only claimed two titles in each of the decades from 1990 to 2019 as the power base of Cork hurling has moved from the city to the county with several clubs making significant breakthroughs and impacts on the championship.

The mid nineties saw the rise of the divisional sides, with Carbery, Avondhu and Imokilly claiming four championship titles between 1994 and 1998.

The success of Newtownshandrum between 2000 and 2009 also highlighted the changing demographics of Cork hurling as the tiny parish of 800 people won four championships during that decade.

Sarsfields, although close in proximity to the city but based in the East Cork division, ended a 51-year famine in 2008 by claiming their third championship title ever.

In recent decades many rural and city-based clubs have also contested championship deciders without making a successful breakthrough.

The possibility of unlikely victories at any stage of the championship, where a so-called "minnow" beat a traditionally higher placed opposition, is much anticipated by the public.

Historically speaking, the biggest shock of the first 50 years of the championship took place when Mallow beat 18-time and reigning champions Blackrock in the 1928 second round.

[16] University College Cork's 1-23 to 1-20 defeat of four-in-a-row hopefuls Imokilly in the 2020 championship was the most recent shock result.

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

Fixtures in the group stage of the championship are usually played at a neutral venue that is deemed halfway between the participating teams.

Some of the more common venues include Mallow GAA Complex, Brinny Sportsfield, Coachford Pitch and Clonmult Memorial Park.

From the inaugural championship in 1887 up to the turn of the 20th century, the final was held at a variety of venues in the city and around the county, most notably the Cork Park enclosure.

It was commissioned to honour Seán Óg Murphy who served as a hurler, selector and County Board Secretary at various times over a 45-year period.

The cup bears the Irish inscription: Croabh Iomána Sinsear, Coiste Chontae Chorcaí de Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, a bhronn an corn seo, 1963, mar cuimhne ar Seán Óg Ó Murchú.

Des Kiely of University College Cork was the first recipient of the cup when it was presented to him by the widow of the late Seán Óg Murphy after the 1963 final.

Traditionally, at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the victory presentation takes place at a special rostrum in the main grandstand.

In accordance with GAA rules, the County Board awards a set of gold medals to the championship winners.

The 30-game unbeaten streak, which included no drawn game but one walkover, ended with a 5-04 to 1-08 loss to Ballincollig in the 1942 championship semi-final.

C103 & CRY 104.0FM provides extensive radio coverage of the championship, including several full live commentaries from Round 1 to the final.