The Harty Cup final was played on 5 April 1981 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, between North Monastery and Coláiste Chríost Rí, in what was their first ever meeting in the final. North Monastery won the match by 2–06 to 1–07 to claim their 16th Harty Cup title overall and a second title in succession.[4][5]