After 90 years of using the single-elimination straight knock-out format, problems arose regarding the standard of the competing teams. A special committee was established to examine the possibility of restructuring the championship format. At the County Convention on 5 February 1978, delegates voted by 143 to 93 in favour of abandoning the knock-out format and adopting a group stage. This format was used for three successive season from 1978 until 1980, with Blackrock and St. Finbarr's becoming the first teams to win the championship after suffering a defeat. The County Board voted to revert to the single-elimination straight knock-out format in 1981.