The 1996 Cork Senior Hurling Championship was the 108th staging of the Cork Senior Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Cork County Board in 1887. The draw for the opening fixtures took place on 10 December 1995. The championship began on 2 June 1996 and ended on 6 October 1996. Na Piarsaigh entered the championship as the defending champions, however, they were defeated by Imokilly at the semi-final stage. Imokilly's Jimmy Smiddy was the championship's top scorer with 3-38.