Round 1

The first round of the All-Ireland Qualifier Series included all the counties that did not qualify for their respective provincial final with the exceptions of Antrim, Carlow, Clare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, London, Sligo, Waterford and Wicklow. (These nine teams played in the Tommy Murphy Cup as a result of their participation in Division 4 of the 2009 National Football League.)

The sixteen teams competing in the first round were Cavan, Derry, Donegal, Down, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Tyrone and Westmeath. Unlike previous years, teams that played each other in their provincial championships were permitted to meet again in the qualifiers. The first round draw took place on 29 June 2008. The first team drawn had home venue provided their ground meets the minimum safety requirements. The first round of games took place on 19 July 2008.

Round 2

The second round featured the eight winning teams from the first round in an open draw. The second round draw took place on 20 July 2008. As in the first round, the first drawn team had home advantage. These games were played on 26 July 2008.

Round 3

In the third round, the four winning teams from the second round were drawn against the four losing provincial finalists. The third round draw took place on 27 July 2008. Venues were decided by the Central Competitions Control Committee. These games were played on 2 and 3 August 2008. The winners of these games went on to play the four provincial champions in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final