The 1996–97 Harty Cup was the 77th staging of the Harty Cup since its establishment by the Munster Council of Gaelic Athletic Association in 1918. The competition ran from 16 October 1996 to 16 March 1997.
St Colman's College successfully defended its title. in the Harty Cup final on 16 March 1997 at Clonmel GAA Ground, against Nenagh CBS, 1–17 to 0–08, in what was their second consecutive meeting in a final for their sixth successive Harty Cup title overall and a consecutive title since the previous season.
St Colman's College's Neil Ronan was the top scorer with 3-38.
Results First round
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Statistics Top scorers
Rank Player County Tally Total Matches Average1Neil RonanSt Colman's College3-3847411.752Cathal McCarthyColáiste Chríost Rí3-2130310.003Brian DuffNenagh CBS1-172045.004T KellyNenagh CBS4-051744.255Gerry CoppingerThurles CBS0-161635.336Patrick MoroneyScarriff CS0-151527.507Eoin FitzgeraldSt Colman's College1-101343.258Maurice KirbyDoon CBS0-111125.509Fionán MurrayColáiste Chríost Rí2-02832.6610Donncha SheehanArdscoil Rís1-05818.00
References