The 1998 National Hurling League (known as the Church & General National Hurling League) was the 67th season of the National Hurling League.
Division 1
The league saw a major restructuring of the usual four divisions of eight teams. Division 1 was split into Group 1A and Group 1B with each group consisting of six teams. The top two teams in each group qualified for the knock-out stage.
Limerick came into the season as defending champions of the 1997 season. Antrim, Cork, Dublin and Waterford all entered Division 1 as part of the restructuring.
On 17 May 1998, Cork won the title after a 2–14 to 0–13 win over Waterford in the final. It was their 14th league title overall and their first since 1992-93.
Cork's Joe Deane was the Division 1 top scorer with 3-30.
Division 1A table
PosTeamPldWDLFADiffPtsNotes1 Limerick 55007-574-5818102 Clare 53025-839-521963 Galway 53029-674-661664 Dublin 52038-595-62645 Offaly 51046-6210-58-826 Antrim 51047-479-49-82
Group stage
Division 1B table
PosTeamPldWDLFADiffPtsNotes1 Cork 54105-646-42199 Division 1 champions2 Waterford 53118-648-52127 Division 1 runners-up3 Wexford 52214-602-60664 Tipperary 511310-527-57435 Laois 51133-548-56-1736 Kilkenny 51045-545-69-152
Group stage
Knock-out stage
Semi-finals
Final
Scoring statistics
Top scorers overall
Rank Player Team Tally Total Matches Average1Joe DeaneCork3-304968.162Paul FlynnWaterford5-314676.573Paul CoddWexford1-333657.204Jamesie O'ConnorClare0-303065.005Ken McGrathWaterford1-262974.146Gary KirbyLimerick3-192855.607David CuddyLaois1-222555.008Eamon MorrisseyDublin6-62454.809Eugene O'NeillTipperary0-202045.0010Niall MoloneyGalway2-131944.75Francis FordeGalway1-161944.75
Top scorers in a single game
Rank Player Team Tally Total Opposition1Darragh CoenGalway0-1212Clare2Francis FordeGalway1-0811Offaly3Paul FlynnWaterford2-0410LaoisPaul CoddWexford1-0710TipperaryJamesie O'ConnorClare0-1010Antrim6Paul FlynnWaterford1-069TipperaryNiall MoloneyKilkenny1-069TipperaryPaul CoddWexford0-099LaoisJoe DeaneCork0-099ClarePaul FlynnWaterford0-099Limerick
Division 2
The league saw a major restructuring of the usual four divisions of eight teams. Division 2 was split into Group 2A and Group 2B with each group consisting of seven teams. The top two teams in each group qualified for the knock-out stage.
Armagh, Carlow, Derry, Down, Kildare, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tyrone and Wicklow all entered Division 1 as part of the restructuring.
On 25 July 1998, Kerry won the title after a 1–11 to 2–6 win over Westmeath in a replay of the final. It was their 5th Division 2 league title overall and their first since 1967-68.
Division 2A table
PosTeamPldWDLFADiffPtsNotes1 Carlow 650117-885-5272102 Kerry 650117-995-716410 Division 2 champions3 Derry 640213-735-643384 Wicklow 64024-848-512185 Monaghan 62046-4018-82-7846 Roscommon 610512-538-68-327 Armagh 60062-4122-90-1090
Division 2B table
PosTeamPldWDLFADiffPtsNotes1 Down 660020-1006-39103122 Westmeath 650121-807-388410 Division 2 runners-up3 London 53027-569-50064 Meath 620412-6910-601545 Kildare 62045-5414-65-2846 Tyrone 62046-4018-89-8547 Louth 60069-2816-96-890
Knock-out stage
Semi-finals
Finals
Division 3
PosTeamPldWDLFADiffPtsNotes1 Cavan 651012-404-364811 Division 3 runners-up2 Mayo 650114-7910-266510 Division 3 champions3 Leitrim 63125-419-51-2274 Longford 630310-577-511565 Fermanagh 63036-522-58666 Sligo 61056-3013-79-7027 Donegal 60065-3813-66-520
Knock-out stage
Final
References