The 1961–62 National Hurling League was the 31st season of the National Hurling League.
Division 1
The league saw a major restructuring for the 1961–62 season. Division 1 was split into Group 1A and Group 1B consisting of five teams each and Group 1C consisting of four teams. The top team in each group qualified for the knock-out stage.
Tipperary came into the season as defending champions of the 1960-61 season. Offaly and Westmeath entered Division 1 as part of the restructuring.
On 6 May 1962, Kilkenny won the title after a 1–16 to 1–8 win over Cork in the final. It was their first league title since 1932-33 and their second league title overall.
Division 1A table
PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes1 Cork 44008National League runners-up2 Waterford 430163 Limerick 310224 Wexford 410325 Carlow 30030
Group stage
Division 1B table
PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes1 Kilkenny 44008National League champions2 Tipperary 430163 Clare 420244 Offaly 410325 Laois 40040
Group stage
Division 1C table
PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes1 Dublin 321052 Galway 321053 Westmeath 310224 Antrim 30030
Group stage
Play-off
Knock-out stage
Semi-final
Final
Top scorer
Top scorers overall
Rank Player Club Tally Total1Christy RingCork13-18572Denis HeaslipKilkenny11-08413Eddie KeherKilkenny2-24304Fran WhelanDublin4-12245Donie NealonTipperary5-08236John McKennaTipperary6-02207Oliver McGrathWexford5-0419Mick QuaneCork6-01198Séamus PowerWaterford4-0517Tim SweeneyGalway3-0817
Top scorers in a single game
Rank Player Club Tally Total Opposition1Denis HeaslipKilkenny6-0018Offaly2John McKennaTipperary5-0116Offaly3Christy RingCork4-0315Carlow4Oliver McGrathWexford4-0214CarlowDenis HeaslipKilkenny3-0514Laois5Christy RingCork3-0312WexfordLiam DowlingCork3-0312DublinDonie NealonTipperary3-0312OffalyEddie KeherKilkenny1-0912Clare
Division 2
The league saw a major restructuring for the 1961–62 season. Division 2 was split into Group 2A and Group 2B consisting of three teams each. The top team in each group qualified for the knock-out stage.
On 20 May 1962, Kerry won the title after a 3–8 to 1–2 win over Meath.
Division 2A table
PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes1 Meath 22004Division 2 runners-up2 Down 210123 Wicklow 20020
Division 2B table
PosTeamPldWDLPtsNotes1 Kerry 21103Division 2 champions2 Roscommon 211133 Kildare 20020
Play-off
Knock-out stage
Final
References