1981 Croke Cup

The 1981 Croke Cup was the 30th staging of the Croke Cup since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1944. The competition ran from 12 April to 10 May 1981.
North Monastery were the defending champions.
The [|final] was played on 10 May 1981 at Walsh Park in Waterford, between Kilkenny CBS and the North Monastery, in what was their first ever meeting in the final. Kilkenny CBS won the match by 3–05 to 1–08 to claim their first ever Croke Cup title.
Michael Lawlor was the [|top scorer] with 2-00.

Qualification

;Overall