All six Munster counties in favour of return of pre-season competitions

McGrath Cup and Munster hurling league to take place in January.

2024: Conor Corbett of Cork in action against Jason Foley of Kerry. Pic: Natasha Barton/Inpho

All six Munster counties are due to participate in both of the province’s pre-season competitions in January.

The provincial council had contacted counties about their interest in the McGrath Cup and Munster Hurling League as it was confirmed last month that the pre-season tournaments were returning for 2026.

Although there was reportedly more enthusiasm in other provinces towards their revival, Munster counties’s responses have been overwhelmingly positive. The province’s competitions control committee will meet later this month to agree on formats before dates are agreed.

It is expected both competitions will be run on similar structures to 2024 when each of the counties in the McGrath Cup and Munster HL were guaranteed two games, one home and away.

They were divided into two three-team groups with the counties finishing top of each group facing off in the final. Due to bad weather, the Munster HL was not completed. Attempts to reschedule the Limerick-Cork round game failed and Waterford were due to face one of them in the final.

As regards dates, the football competition could begin earlier as the National Football League is set to commence on the weekend of January 24 and 25 with the hurling league expected to start a week later on January 31 and February 1.

The Gaelic Players Association have requested only players who have completed full pre-season programmes to be considered to play in the January competitions. They had initially looked for front-line players not to be considered.

For the most part, it will be used as a development platform ahead of the leagues but by the time January comes around the likes of Clare and Waterford hurlers will not have played a game in eight months.

Inter-county players have regularly voiced their opposition towards the pre-season tournaments. 

Speaking last month, Kerry’s Joe O’Connor was not pushed about their return. 

“Just keep it the way it is and train away for the league,” said the 2025 footballer of the year nominee. “I just think there's enough competitions and it's probably a time where players can just focus on getting a pre-season in.

“If it was there, I'm sure it wouldn't be a big issue as a couple of games to get you ready for the league. It's nice to just have a block where you can focus on training.” 

Cork won the McGrath Cup in 2024 when they defeated Kerry on penalties in Páirc Uí Rinn. 

They are also the previous winners of the Munster HL after beating Tipperary at the same venue in the 2023 final.