The 1965–66 National Hurling League was the 35th season of the National Hurling League.
Division 1
Tipperary came into the season as defending champions of the 1964-65 season. Laois joined Division 1 as the promoted team.
On 18 September 1966, Kilkenny won the title after a 10-15 to 2-15 aggregate win over New York in the final. It was their 3rd league title overall and their first since 1961-62.
In spite of finishing at the bottom of their respective groups, neither Galway of Laois were relegated.
Tipperary's Jimmy Doyle was the Division 1 top scorer with 4-20.
Division 1A table
PosTeamPldWDLDiffPtsNotes1 Tipperary 44005282 Kilkenny 430116 Division 1 champions3 Wexford 4202-144 Waterford 4103-1725 Laois 4004-350
Group stage
Division 1B table
PosTeamPldWDLDiffPtsNotes1 Cork 43012862 Clare 4301563 Limerick 42021044 Dublin 4103-425 Galway 4103-392
Group stage
Play-off
Knock-out stage
Semi-finals
Home final
Finals
Scoring statistics
Top scorers overall
Rank Player Team Tally Total1Jimmy DoyleTipperary4-20322Michael KeatingTipperary6-1129Eddie KeherKilkenny3-20293Tom WalshKilkenny3-14234Éamonn CreganLimerick3-11205Mick O'SheaClare5-0419Tom CheastyWaterford1-16196Tom CorbettCork1-1518Achille BoothmanDublin1-15187Claus DunneKilkenny2-1117
Top scorers in a single game
Rank Player Club Tally Total Opposition1Jimmy DoyleTipperary2-0511WaterfordJack ConroyLaois2-0511KilkennyEddie KeherKilkenny1-0811Cork2Pat CareyLimerick3-0110GalwayÉamonn CreganLimerick2-0410ClareEddie KeherKilkenny1-0710Wexford3Seán McLoughlinTipperary3-009WaterfordMichael KeatingTipperary3-009LaoisPaddy McNamaraClare3-009LimerickMick O'SheaClare3-009Tipperary
Miscellaneous
Kilkenny's defeat of Tipperary in the league decider is their first defeat of Tipperary in a national final since the 1922 All-Ireland final.
Division 2
On 24 April 1966, Offaly won the title after a 4-11 to 3-9 win over Kerry in the final.
Division 2A table
PosTeamPldWDLDiffPtsNotes1 Antrim 42201162 Westmeath 4301563 Roscommon 42111554 Meath 41121435 Down 4004-450
Division 2B table
PosTeamPldWDLDiffPtsNotes1 Offaly 4400468 Division 2 champions2 Kerry 4301-763 Kildare 4202-1044 Carlow 4103225 Wicklow 4004-310
Knock-out stage
Semi-finals
Final
Division 3
On 9 October 1966, Mayo won the title after a 1-12 to 1-8 win over Armagh in the final.
Knock-out stage
Semi-final
Final
References