The 1996–97 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship was the 27th staging of the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county club hurling tournament. The championship began on 22 September 1996 and ended on 17 March 1997. Sixmilebridge were the defending champions, however, they failed to qualify after being defeated in the Clare Senior Championship. On 17 March 1996, Athenry won the championship after a 0–14 to 1–08 defeat of Wolfe Tones in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park. It was their first ever championship title. Ballygunner's Paul Flynn was the championship's top scorer with 3-21. Results Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship First round Quarter-final Semi-final Final Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship Preliminary round First round Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship Semi-finals Final All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Quarter-final Semi-finals Final Championship statistics Top scorers Overall References 1996 in hurling 1997 in hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship