Kerry hurlers open Christy Ring Cup campaign with trip to Meath

Kerry manager John Griffin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Kerry hurlers will open their Christy Ring Cup campaign next year with a trip to Meath on the weekend of April 12.

John “Tweek” Griffin’s side will be hoping to make a swift return to the Joe McDonagh Cup and they will face Donegal and Wicklow at home with their other trips to Roscommon and Derry.

In the Joe McDonagh Cup, Davy Fitzgerald and Pat Bennett will renew acquaintances when Antrim and Carlow face each other in the former in the final round on May 23/24. 

The McDonagh Cup final is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 prior to that evening’s Leinster SHC final.

2026 Joe McDonagh Cup

Round 1 (April 18/19): Antrim v Down; London v Westmeath; Carlow v Laois.

Round 2 (April 25/26): Westmeath v Carlow; Down v London; Laois v Antrim.

Round 3 (May 9/10): Westmeath v Laois; Down v Carlow; London v Antrim.

Round 4 (May 16/17): Antrim v Westmeath; Carlow v London; Laois v Down.

Round 5 (May 23/24): Antrim v Carlow; London v Laois; Down v Westmeath.

2026 Christy Ring Cup

Round 1 (April 11/12): Donegal v Wicklow; Derry v Roscommon; Meath v Kerry.

Round 2 (April 18/19): Roscommon v Meath; Wicklow v Derry; Kerry v Donegal.

Round 3 (April 25/26): Roscommon v Kerry; Wicklow v Meath; Derry v Donegal.

Round 4 (May 9/10): Donegal v Roscommon; Meath v Derry; Kerry v Wicklow.

Round 5 (May 16/17): Donegal v Meath; Derry v Kerry; Wicklow v Roscommon.

2026 Nickey Rackard Cup

Round 1 (April 11/12): Tyrone v Sligo; Louth v Fermanagh; Armagh v Mayo.

Round 2 (April 18/19): Fermanagh v Armagh; Sligo v Louth; Mayo v Tyrone.

Round 3 (April 25/26): Fermanagh v Mayo; Sligo v Armagh; Louth v Tyrone.

Round 4 (May 9/10): Tyrone v Fermanagh; Armagh v Louth; Mayo v Sligo.

Round 5 (May 16/17): Tyrone v Armagh; Louth v Mayo; Sligo v Fermanagh.

2026 Lory Meagher Cup

Round 1 (April 11/12): Leitrim v Monaghan; Longford v Lancashire; Cavan v Warwickshire.

Round 2 (April 18/19): Monaghan v Cavan; Warwickshire v Longford; Lancashire v Leitrim.

Round 3 (April 25/26): Lancashire v Cavan; Warwickshire v Monaghan; Longford v Leitrim.

Round 4 (May 9/10): Cavan v Longford, Monaghan v Lancashire, Leitrim v Warwickshire.

Round 5 (May 16/17): Leitrim v Cavan; Longford v Monaghan; Lancashire v Warwickshire.