Ben O'Connor's Cork reign to begin against Waterford as 2026 hurling and football league schedule confirmed
HOMECOMING: Cork manager Ben O'Connor will begin his reign against Waterford. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.
The Cork hurlers won't have to wait long for their opening shot of 2026 redemption against Tipperary as the two All-Ireland finalists will collide in Round 3 of the Allianz League on Saturday, February 7.
Cork’s confirmed League programme for 2026 shows Ben O’Connor’s tenure will begin with a home fixture against Waterford on Sunday, January 25 (3.45pm start), followed a week later by a trip to Salthill to face Galway.
The hurlers’ busy opening fortnight concludes with a visit from the All-Ireland champions on February 7, what will be their first evening fixture of the new spring campaign.
The 7.30pm Saturday evening throw-in against the Tipp side, who inflicted a 3-27 to 1-18 All-Ireland final nightmare last July, will comfortably draw a crowd in keeping with the 20,000-plus attendances that were commonplace at Páirc Uí Chaoimh during this year’s League.
The hurlers will enjoy a three-week break in competitive fare following the Tipp game, their return to League action taking them to UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday, March 1 (3.15pm). They are again on the road the weekend after, with themselves and Limerick penciled in under the Gaelic Grounds lights on Saturday, March 7 (7pm).
Cork, who are attempting to successfully defend their League crown for the first time since 1981, complete their Division 1A round-robin at home to promoted Offaly on Saturday, March 21 (7pm).
The Cork footballers, meanwhile, will begin their 2026 League campaign as part of a double billing with the hurlers on Sunday, January 25 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. That Round 1 Cork-Cavan game has a 1.30pm throw-in.
John Cleary’s charges will spend far more time on the road than at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with their four away fixtures taking them to Louth (venue TBC) on Sunday, February 1, to Tullamore on Sunday, February 15, to Celtic Park, Derry, on Sunday, March 1, and lastly, to Healy Park, Omagh in Round 7 on Sunday March 22.
The venue for Cork's home fixtures against Meath and Kildare on Sunday, February 22 and Saturday, March 14 respectively has still to be confirmed. The Cork-Meath game has a 2pm throw-in, 5pm for Cork-Kildare.
Cork are chasing a return to the League’s topflight after nine seasons in the lower divisions.
Jan 25, Waterford (h); Feb 1, Galway (a); Feb 7, Tipperary (h); Mar 1, Kilkenny (a); Mar 7, Limerick (a); March 21, Offaly (h).
Jan 25, Cavan (h); Feb 1, Louth (a); Feb 15, Offaly (a); Feb 22, Meath (h); Mar 1, Derry (a); Mar 14, Kildare (h); Mar 22, Tyrone (a).
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