The 1979 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship was the 16th staging of the All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1964. Galway were the defending champions. On 23 September 1979, Tipperary won the championship following a 2-12 to 1-9 defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland final. This was their third All-Ireland title in the under-21 grade and their first in twelve championship seasons.