Clare entered the championship as the defending champions, however, they were beaten by Cork in the Munster final.
On 13 September 1998, Cork won the championship following a 2-15 to 1-09 defeat of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.[1] This was their 17th All-Ireland title overall and their first title since 1995.
Wexford's Leon O'Connell was the championship's top scorer with 3-37.