The 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup was the inaugural staging of the Joe McDonagh Cup since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association. The fixtures were announced on 13 April 2018. The competition began on 5 May 2018. On 1 July 2018, Carlow won the title following a 2-26 to 1-24 defeat of Westmeath in the final. This was their second successive promotion within the various tiers of hurling, as they were also the 2017 Christy Ring Cup champions. Meath were relegated from the Joe McDonagh Cup after losing all of their group stage games.