Offaly entered the championship as the defending champions in search of a third successive All-Ireland title, however, they were beaten by Kilkenny in the Leinster final.
On 4 September 1988, Kilkenny won the championship following a 3-13 to 0-12 defeat of Cork in the All-Ireland final.[1] This was their 13th All-Ireland title overall and their first title since 1981.
Cork's Brian Cunningham was the championship's top scorer with 3-29.