Eighteen teams compete. This year there will be a new format once again. With the previous years 4 semi finalists being seeded and separated into 3 groups of 6(With one group having 2 seeded teams)[1]
Corofin were the defending champions after they defeated Mountbellew/Moylough in the 2018 final.
This was An Spidéal's return the senior grade for the first time in 13 seasons (since their relegation from the S.F.C. in 2006) after they claimed to 2018 I.F.C. title.
2019 brings about a new format for the competition where there is 3 groups of 6 teams.
The 2018 Semi-finalists, Corofin, Mountbellew/Moylough, Annaghdown and Salthill/Knocknacarra will be Seeded and placed in each Group, with one group having two seeded teams. The remaining group places made up from the remaining 14 teams in an open draw.
If teams are level on points, the first deciding factor will be the head-to-head result between the sides; the second will be the points difference; and the third will be the scoring average.[2]
This year, two teams will be relegated.
The bottom two teams in each group will playoff, with the winner retaining Senior status, and the loser moving into a round robin group.
The bottom two team in the round robin group will be relegated
