| All Ireland Champions | |
|---|---|
| Winners | Galway (4th win) |
| Captain | Anthony Cunningham |
| Manager | Cyril Farrell |
| All Ireland Runners-up | |
| Runners-up | Wexford |
| Provincial Champions | |
| Munster | Limerick |
| Leinster | Wexford |
| Ulster | Derry |
| Connacht | Galway |
← 1985 1987 → | |
The 1986 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship was the 23rd staging of the All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1964.
Tipperary were the defending champions, however, they were beaten by Limerick in the Munster semi-final.
On 14 September 1986, Galway won the championship following a 0–14 to 2–5 defeat of Wexford in the All-Ireland final.[1] This was their fourth All-Ireland title in the under-21 grade and their first in three championship seasons.