Format
Leinster Championship
Quarter-final: (1 match) This was a lone match between the first two teams drawn from the province of Leinster. One team was eliminated at this stage while the winning team advanced to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: (2 matches) The winner of the lone quarter-final joined three other Leinster teams to make up the semi-final pairings. Two teams were eliminated at this stage while the two winning teams advanced to the final.
Final: (1 match) The winners of the two semi-finals contested this game. One team was eliminated at this stage while the winning team advanced to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Munster Championship
Quarter-finals: (2 matches) These were two lone matches between the first four teams drawn from the province of Munster. Two teams were eliminated at this stage while the two winning teams advanced to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: (2 matches) The winner of the two quarter-finals joined the other two Munster teams to make up the semi-final pairings. Two teams were eliminated at this stage while the two winning teams advanced to the final.
Final: (1 match) The winners of the two semi-finals contested this game. One team was eliminated at this stage while the winning team advanced to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
All-Ireland Championship
Quarter-final: (1 match) This was a lone match between Galway and the winners of the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship. One team was eliminated at this stage while the winning team advanced to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: (2 matches) The Leinster and Munster winners were paired on opposite sides with the Ulster winners and the quarter-final winners making up the four semi-final teams. Two teams were eliminated at this stage while the two winning teams advanced to the final.
Final: (1 match) The winners of the two semi-finals contested this game with the winners being declared All-Ireland champions.
Read more about this topic: All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1990