The 2013 National Hurling League commenced in February 2013.34 GAA county hurling teams: 32 from Ireland (including Fingal but not Cavan), London and Warwickshire, contested it. On the final day of fixtures in division 1A on 31 March, all six teams had a chance of either reaching the league semi-finals, or suffering relegation. On 13 May Kilkenny's Lester Ryan was named as the GAA-GPA Hurler of the League for 2013.Ryan scored 1-10 in six games from midfield including 0-3 in the semi-final win over Galway and 0-3 in the final victory against Tipperary.