There are 12 teams in Division 1, divided into 1A and 1B. Each team plays all the others in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw.
The top three in 1A and 1B advance to the Division 1 Final Group.
The bottom three in 1A and 1B go into the Division 1 Relegation Group.
Each team in the Final Group plays the other three teams that it did not play in the first five games. The top two teams go into the NHL final – only points earned in these last three games count.
Each team in the Relegation Group plays the other three teams that it did not play in the first five games. The bottom team is relegated – only points earned in these last three games count.
Division 2
There are 10 teams in Division 2, divided into 2A and 2B. Each team plays all the others in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw.
The top three in 2A and 2B advance to the Division 2 Promotion Group.
The bottom two in 2A and 2B go into the Division 2 Relegation Group.
Each team in the Promotion Group plays the other three teams that it did not play in the first four games. The top two teams go into the Division 2 final – only points earned in these last three games count. Final winners are promoted.
Each team in the Relegation Group plays the other two teams that it did not play in the first four games. The bottom team is relegated – only points earned in these last two games count.
Division 3
There are 10 teams in Division 3, divided into 3A and 3B. Each team plays all the others in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw.
The top three in 3A and 3B advance to the Division 3 Promotion Group.
The bottom two in 3A and 3B go into the Division 3 Shield Group.
Each team in the Promotion Group plays the other three teams that it did not play in the first four games. The top two teams go into the Division 3 final – only points earned in these last three games count. Final winners are promoted.
Each team in the Shield Group plays the other two teams that it did not play in the first four games. The top two play the Division 3 Shield Final.
Overview
Division 1
Galway won their first league title in four seasons, as 'the Westerners' recorded two defeats throughout the entire league. Waterford, who were league runners-up, suffered three defeats in the group stages before falling to Galway in the final.
Down at the other end of the table, Dublin and Antrim went through the initial group stages without a single victory. However, a relegation group of six teams resulted in Offaly ending up at the bottom and facing relegation for the following season.
Kilkenny came into the season as defending champions of the 2003 season. Antrim entered Division 1 as the promoted team.
On 9 May 2004, Galway won the title following a 2-15 to 1-13 win over Waterford in the final.[4] It was their first league title since 2000 and their 8th National League title overall.
Offaly, who were unlucky not to make the final group, were relegated from Division 1 after losing all of their group stage matches in the relegation group.
Galway's Eugene Cloonan was the Division 1 top scorer with 10-62.