Since the inaugural tournament in 1927
Connacht,
Leinster and
Munster had participated in every running of the championship since then.
Ulster joined the tournament in 1944 and immediately became regular participants. In late 1971 an application from the Universities' Council to enter a
Combined Universities team in both the hurling and
Gaelic football Railway Cup competitions was discussed by the Central Council of the GAA. The proposal was readily accepted and the Combined Universities team was permitted to participate. ==Results==