A total of eighteen teams entered the inaugural under-21 championship, however, there was a lop-sides nature to the competition due to the provincial structure.
Galway, who had played in the Munster province at senior and minor levels since 1959, joined the other six traditional Munster teams and competed in the southern championship. Nine of the Leinster counties, including
Louth, more notable as a
Gaelic football stronghold, contested the eastern province.
Antrim were the sole representatives from Ulster while
Roscommon faced no competition as Connacht representatives.
Team summaries ==Results==