1981 Railway Cup Hurling Championship
The 1981 Railway Cup Hurling Championship was the 55th staging of the Railway Cup since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1927. The cup began on 1 March 1981 and ended on 17 March 1981.
Connacht were the defending champions, however, they were beaten by Leinster in the semi-final.
On 17 March 1981, Munster won the cup after a 2-16 to 2–06 defeat of Leinster in the final at Cusack Park. This was their 35th Railway Cup title overall and their first title since 1978.Results
Semi-finals
Final
;Top scorers overall
| Rank | Player | Club | Tally | Total | Matches | Average |
| 1 | Éamonn Cregan | Munster | 2-09 | 15 | 2 | 7.50 |
| 2 | Joe McKenna | Munster | 2-04 | 10 | 2 | 5.00 |
| 3 | Pat Horgan | Leinster | 2-02 | 8 | 2 | 4.00 |
| 3 | Pat Delaney | Leinster | 1-05 | 8 | 2 | 4.00 |
J McKenna 10
P Delaney 8
P Horgan 8
