Tipperary entered the championship as the defending champions in search of a third successive title, however, they were beaten by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final.[1]
On 7 September 2008 Kilkenny won the championship following a 3-6 to 0-13 defeat of Galway in a replay of the All-Ireland final.[2] This was their 19th All-Ireland title overall and their first title since 2003.
Wexford's Michael O'Hanlon was the championship's top scorer with 3-37.
R Cummins (1-05), N Burke (0-03), N Quinn (0-03), D Glennon (0-02, 0-01 ’65’), B Burke (0-02), D Burke (0-02, 0-01f), D Fox (0-01).
P O’Shea (0-05, 0-04f, 0-01 ’65’), S O’Brien (0-04, 0-03f); A Walsh (0-02), S O’Farrell (0-02), P Honohan (0-01), J O’Dwyer (0-01), D Roche (0-01), J Coughlan (0-01).
The Leinster Championship game between Westmeath and Wicklow went ahead in spite of the latter team only fielding 13 players. They were reduced to just 12 players during the first half when a player went off injured. After training by 9-22 to no score, the Wicklow players refused to line out for the second half and the match was awarded to Kildare.