The format was changed for 2021, with 5 teams playing across two groups, one with 3 teams and one with 2 teams based on an open draw.[1]
Group A featured 3 teams and was played in a single Round Robin format with each team having one home game and one away game.
Group B featured 2 teams who played a single fixture.
All teams played a knockout format after this group stage, with the group winners and second-placed team in Group A being placed in the semi-finals. A tie between the third-placed team in Group A and second-placed team in Group B determined the fourth semi-finalist.
The winner of the Lory Meagher Cup was also promoted automatically to the following year's Nicky Rackard Cup, which is the fourth tier of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. They would be replaced by the bottom-placed team in the 2021 Nicky Rackard Cup.
J O’Brien (0-12, 0-4fs, 0-1’65), R Murray (3-2), D Buckley (1-4, 0-1 sideline cut), M Coyle (2-0), D Connell (1-2), C Mullane (1-0), J Mulhern (0-2); S Creaven (0-2), B Hanley (0-1), A Quinn (0-1).
D Geoghegan (0-10, 0-9 frees), F Joyce (1-2), D Kettle (1-1), E Maher (1-0), N Keenan (0-2), D O’Hanrahan (0-1); R Walsh (0-1), C Quigley (0-1), A Mackin (0-1).
Pts: Tom Keenan 3-2, John Duffy 0-8 (7f), Conor McShea 0-4, Sean Corrigan 0-4, Barney McAuley 0-2 (2f), Ryan Bogue 0-1, Daniel Teague 0-1, Caolan Duffy 0-1, Mark Slevin 0-1, Andrew Breslin 0-1
Pts: Brian Fitzgerald 0-9 (6f, two 65s), Cillian Sheanon 0-3, Philip Brady 1-0, Neasan Neary 0-1, Sean Keating 0-1, Colum Sheanon 0-1, Caoimhin Carney 0-1
