1987–88 National Hurling League


The 1987–88 National Hurling League was the 57th edition of the National Hurling League.

Division 1

came into the season as defending champions of the 1985-86 season. Westmeath and Wexford entered Division 1 as the promoted teams.
On 24 April 1988, Tipperary won the title following a 3-15 to 2-9 win over Offaly in the final. It was their first league title since 1978-79 and their 14th National League title overall.
Clare and Cork were relegated from Division 1.
Tipperary's Pat Fox was the Division 1 top scorer with 6-40.

Table

PosTeamPldWDLDiffPtsNotes
1 Wexford 75112311-
2 Waterford 75021510-
3 Tipperary 7412209Division 1 champions
4 Galway 7331159-
5 Kilkenny 7403148-
6 Limerick 7205-194-
7 Clare 7205-374Relegated to Division 2
8 Cork 7016-311Relegated to Division 2

Group stage

Play-off

Knock-out stage

Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final

Scoring statistics

;Top scorers overall
RankPlayerTeamTallyTotalMatchesAverage
1Pat FoxTipperary6-4058105.80
2Nicky EnglishTipperary7-3354
3Jimmy HolohanWexford3-4453
4Val DonnellanClare3-415086.25
5Gary KirbyLimerick2-384485.50
6Kieran DelahuntyWaterford1-394285.25
7Joe CooneyGalway1-3538
8Mickey MullinsCork2-2127
9Tom DempseyWexford2-1420
9Anthony CunninghamGalway2-1420

;Top scorers in a single game
RankPlayerTeamTallyTotalOpposition
1Nicky EnglishTipperary2-1117Waterford
2Nicky EnglishTipperary2-0713Antrim
3Pat FoxTipperary2-0612Clare
4Pat FoxTipperary2-0410Limerick
4Jimmy HolohanWexford2-0410Galway
4Pat FoxTipperary2-0410Waterford
4Val DonnellanClare1-0710Limerick
8Kieran DelahuntyWaterford1-069Kilkenny
8Jimmy HolohanWexford1-069Waterford
8Joe CooneyGalway1-069Clare
8Jimmy HolohanWexford0-099Kilkenny
8Pat FoxTipperary0-099Waterford
8Mark CorriganOffaly0-099Wexford

Division 2

, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath entered Division 2 as the promoted and relegated teams from the previous season.
On 6 March 1988, Offaly secured the title following a 1-13 to 3-4 win over Down in the final round of the group stage. Antrim secured promotion to Division 1 as the second-placed team.
Down and Roscommon were relegated from Division 2.

Table

PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes
1 Offaly 770014Promoted to Division 1
2 Antrim 750210Promoted to Division 1
3 Dublin 74038-
4 Laois 74038-
5 Kerry 73137-
6 Westmeath 72145-
7 Down 71244Relegated to Division 3
8 Roscommon 70070Relegated to Division 3

Division 3

, Meath and Tyrone entered Division 3 as the promoted and relegated teams from the previous season.
Meath secured the title following a 5-7 to 2-5 win over Kildare in the final round of the group stage. Derry secured promotion to Division 2 as the second-placed team.
Tyrone were relegated from Division 3.

Table

PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes
1 Meath 770014Promoted to Division 2
2 Derry760112Promoted to Division 2
6 Kildare 750210-
3 Carlow 750210-
4 Mayo 73046-
5 Armagh 73046-
7 Wicklow73046-
8 Tyrone70070Relegated to Division 4

Division 4

entered Division 4 as the relegated team from the previous season.
On 29 July 1988, Longford secured the title following a 2-9 to 2-7 win over Monaghan in a replay of the league final.

Knock-out stage

Semi-final
Finals