2026 McGrath Cup
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Province | Munster |
| Date | 2–17 January 2026 |
| Teams | 6 |
| Defending champions | Cork |
| Other | |
| Matches played | 7 |
The 2026 McGrath Cup is an inter-county Gaelic football competition in the province of Munster, played by all six county teams in January 2026.[1][2]
Kerry player Joe O'Connor was opposed to the McGrath Cup taking place.[3] Munster GAA ignored this and the fixtures were announced in November 2025, with the competition scheduled to commence on 2 January.[4] The first fixture, between Clare and Waterford, is scheduled for a Friday evening, 2 January.[5][6]
Format
The teams are drawn into two groups of three teams. Each team plays the other teams in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw. The two group winners play in the final.
Group stage
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kerry | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Advance to final |
| 2 | Clare | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Waterford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
First match(es) will be played: 2 January 2026. Source: Munster GAA
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tipperary | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Advance to final |
| 2 | Cork | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Limerick | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
First match(es) will be played: 2 January 2026. Source: Munster GAA
Final
| 17 January 2026 Final | 1st Group A | v | 1st Group B | ||
| 19:00 IWT (GMT±0) | |||||
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References
- ^ Fogarty, John (October 9, 2025). "All six Munster counties in favour of return of pre-season competitions". Irish Examiner.
- ^ Donnelly, Ed (December 6, 2025). "2026 McGrath Cup Football Final - Munster GAA".
- ^ Brady, Seamus (11 September 2025). "Kerry's Joe O'Connor not keen on return of McGrath Cup in 2026". sportsjoe.ie.
- ^ "Munster Senior Hurling League and McGrath Cup fixtures announced". Hogan Stand. 7 November 2025.
- ^ Locke, Cian (6 November 2025). "Fixtures confirmed for Munster Hurling League and McGrath Cup". Irish Examiner.
- ^ Keane, Thomas (17 December 2025). "Waterford gearing up for the start of the 2026 Inter county season". Waterford News & Star.