<P> The Munster Championship is an integral part of the wider GAA Hurling All - Ireland Senior Championship . The winners of the Munster final, like their counterparts in the Leinster Championship, are rewarded by advancing directly to the semi-final stage of the All - Ireland series of games . The losers of the Munster final enter the All - Ireland series at the quarter - final stage . </P> <P> Five teams currently participate in the Munster Championship . Two of the most successful teams in hurling, namely Cork and Tipperary, play their provincial hurling in the Munster Championship . Between them, these teams have won the provincial title on 92 occasions during its history while they have also claimed 56 All - Ireland titles . </P> <P> The title has been won at least once by all six of the Munster counties, five of which have won the title more than once . The all - time record - holders Cork, who have won the competition 52 times, Cork are also the current champions . </P> <P> Hurling is the more prominent of the two Gaelic games in Munster . As such the Munster Championship is regarded as the most skillful and exciting of all the provincial hurling championships . The Munster final, particularly when played in Semple Stadium in Thurles, is considered one of the biggest and best sporting occasions in Ireland . </P>

When did cork last win munster hurling final