The 1977–78 National Hurling League was the 47th season of the National Hurling League.
Division 1
Clare came into the season as defending champions of the 1976-77 season. Westmeath entered Division 1 as the promoted team.
On 30 April 1978, Clare won the title after a 3-10 to 1-10 win over Kilkenny in the final. It was their third league title overall and their second in succession.
Westmeath were relegated from Division 1 after just one season in the top flight.
Division 1A table PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes1 Clare 63127 Division 1 champions2 Kilkenny 63036 Division 1 runners-up3 Wexford 630364 Galway 630365 Offaly 630366 Cork 63036 Relegated to Division 1B7 Tipperary 62135 Relegated to Division 1B
Group stage results
Division 1B table PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes1 Limerick 651011 Promoted to Division 1A2 Waterford 64119 Promoted to Division 1A3 Antrim 640284 Dublin 620445 Laois 620446 Kildare 620447 Westmeath 61052 Relegated to Division 2
Group stage results
Play-offs
Knock-out stage Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Scoring statistics Top scorers overall
Rank Player Team Tally Total Matches Average1Ned BuggyWexford5-4661106.102Joe McKennaLimerick10-114175.873Jim GreeneWaterford10-83875.424Liam O'BrienKilkenny0-3434103.405Éamonn CreganLimerick3-223174.426P. J. MolloyGalway3-213074.287Johnny WalsheKildare1-252864.66Charlie McCarthyCork1-252883.509Tommy ButlerTipperary1-232664.33Mossy WalshWaterford1-232673.71
Miscellaneous In Division 1B, Antrim defeated Laois for the first time in a competitive hurling match.
Division 2
On 6 August 1978, Carlow won the title after a 1-15 to 1-7 win over Kerry in the final.
Division 2 table PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes1 Carlow 54109 Division 2 champions2 Kerry 53208 Division 2 runners-up3 Down 530264 Wicklow 520345 Meath 511336 Roscommon 50050
Knock-out stage Final
References