Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship Once a team is defeated they are eliminated from the championship. The Leinster Championship has wider implications for the All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship. The winners of the Munster final automatically qualify for the semi-final stages of the All-Ireland series of games. Unlike the final runners-up in the minor and senior championships, there is no 'back-door system' at under-21 level. Eight of the twelve counties of Leinster – Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Wexford – participate in the championship. At the end of the Leinster final, the winning team is presented with a trophy. The cup, named the
Gerry Reilly Cup Dublin were the 2006 champions having defeated Westmeath 4-13 to 1-8 in the decider in Gilson Park, Oldcastle, County Meath. In 2007, Meath prevented Dublin from retaining the title by defeating them by 4-09 to 0-12 at Oldcastle. Eight counties competed in 2016 including Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Westmeath, Dublin, Wicklow, Louth & Longford with Cavan winning the Cup final by overcoming Dublin in the final with Meath securing the Plate with a decisive victory over Westmeath. In 2017 eight counties have again entered the completion with Group 1 comprising Louth, Longford, Laois and Meath. Group 2 includes Dublin, Westmeath, Monaghan