1981 Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship
The 1981 Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship was the 72nd staging of the Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Cork County Board in 1909. The draw for the opening round fixtures took place on 25 January 1981. The championship ran from 29 May to 30 August 1981.
The final was played on 30 August 1981 at Bishop Casey Memorial Park in Mallow, between Newtownshandrum and Cloughduv, in what was their first ever meeting in the final. Newtownshandrum won the match by 3-12 to 1-10 to claim their third championship title overall and a first title in five years.
On 30 August 1981, Newtownshandrum won the championship following a 3-12 to 1-10 defeat of Cloughduv in the final at Bishop Casey Memorial Park. This was their third championship title overall and their first title since 1976.
Cloughduv's Connie Kelly was the championship's top scorer with 2-33.
Team changes
To Championship
Promoted from the Cork Junior Hurling ChampionshipFrom Championship
Promoted to the Cork Senior Hurling ChampionshipRegrdaed to the East Cork Junior A Hurling Championship
Championship statistics
Top scorers
;Top scorers overall| Rank | Player | Club | Tally | Total | Matches | Average |
| 1 | Connie Kelly | Cloughduv | 2-33 | 39 | 6 | 6.50 |
| 2 | Pat Herlihy | Newtownshandrum | 5-14 | 29 | 4 | 7.25 |
| 3 | Finbarr Delaney | Blackrock | 0-24 | 24 | 3 | 8.00 |
| 4 | P. J. Greensmith | Newtownshandrum | 5-05 | 20 | 4 | 5.00 |
| 5 | Pádraig Crowley | Bandon | 0-15 | 15 | 2 | 7.50 |
| 6 | Tim Crowley | Newcestown | 0-14 | 14 | 2 | 7.00 |
| 7 | Paddy Buckley | Mallow | 1-10 | 13 | 2 | 6.50 |
| 7 | Michael Ring | Cloughduv | 1-10 | 13 | 6 | 2.16 |
| 9 | John Buckley | Newtownshandrum | 1-08 | 11 | 4 | 2.75 |
| 9 | Raymond O'Connor | Erin's Own | 1-08 | 11 | 3 | 3.66 |