Cork championships: Reigning Premier Senior champions handed negotiable draws, early tests await 'Haven

The draws for the 2026 Cork GAA championships have been finalised.

Castlehaven talisman Brian Hurley. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Cork’s reigning Premier Senior champions, Sars and St Finbarr’s, have been handed extremely negotiable 2026 county championship draws.

Sars, chasing a third hurling crown in four years, find themselves in Group 2 alongside Charleville, who they overcame in September’s quarter-final, Douglas, and relegation play-off winners Newtownshandrum.

As for beaten Munster club football finalists St Finbarr’s, their back-to-back assault will begin with a group phase campaign involving Carrigaline, who they hammered by 19 points in their last group outing this year, Mallow, and Douglas. Neither of the latter pair emerged from their respective group this season.

The football group carrying the greatest heft is the Group C quartet featuring 2023 and ‘24 champions Castlehaven, 2025 beaten semi-finalists Ballincollig, 2025 beaten League finalists Clonakilty, and this year’s Senior A champions Knocknagree.

In the Premier Senior hurling draw, Blackrock and Glen Rovers, semi-finalists and quarter-finalists respectively this year, will have to see off Kanturk and Fr O’Neill’s if they are to emerge from Group A.

Kanturk made life extremely difficult for both Blackrock and the Barrs in this year’s group campaign, while Fr O’Neill’s came within three points of Glen Rovers in their summer group tie.

Newly promoted Bride Rovers join Midleton, the Barrs, and Newcestown in Group C.

The two most recent runners-up in the Cork Senior A hurling championship, Castlelyons and Blarney, have been drawn together in Group A. There, they are joined by Watergrasshill, the sole outfit to score a championship win over eventual 2025 champions Bride Rovers. Ballyhea complete the line-up.

The Senior A football draw threw up three ultra-competitive groups. Relegated Cabery Rangers and beaten Senior A finalists Cill na Martra are Group B bedfellows.

Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh, Kanturk, and Dohenys, all of whom have been regulars in the knockout phase over recent years, are joined in Group A by Premier Intermediate champions Aghabullogue.

A quick glance down the grades shows an incredibly local and East Cork-flavoured Group 2 in the Premier IHC, with Dungourney, Cloyne, Castlemartyr, and Lisgoold pitted together.

Premier Senior

Hurling:

Group 1: Blackrock, Glen Rovers, Kanturk, Fr O'Neill's.

Group 2: Sarsfields, Charleville, Douglas, Newtownshandrum.

Group 3: Midleton, St Finbarr's, Bride Rovers, Newcestown. 

Football:

Group 1: St Finbarr's, Carrigaline, Mallow, Douglas. 

Group 2: Newcestown, Nemo Rangers, St Michael's, Valley Rovers.

Group 3: Castlehaven, Ballincollig, Knocknagree, Clonakilty. 

Senior A

Hurling:

Group 1: Blarney, Castlelyons, Watergrasshill, Ballyhea.

Group 2: Na Piarsaigh, Erin's Own, Killeagh, Fermoy. 

Group 3: Carrigtwohill, Inniscarra, Ballinhassig, Courcey Rovers. 

Football:

Group 1: Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh, Kanturk, Dohenys, Aghabullogue. 

Group 2: Cill na Marta, Carbery Rangers, O'Donovan Rossa, Newmarket. 

Group 3: Bishopstown, Éire Óg, Clyda Rovers, Kilshannig. 

Premier Intermediate

Hurling: 

Group 1: Bishopstown, Ballincollig, Éire Óg, Aghabullogue.

Group 2: Dungourney, Cloyne, Castlemartyr, Lisgoold. 

Group 3: Carrigaline, Valley Rovers, Kilworth, Ballymartle. 

Football:

Group 1: Glanmire, Uibh Laoire, Bantry Blues, Rockchapel. 

Group 2: Kiskeam, Aghada, Macroom, Castletownbere. 

Group 3: Naomh Abán, Fermoy, Nemo Rangers, Ballinora. 

Intermediate A

Hurling:

Group 1: Aghada, Bandon, Kilbrittain, Russell Rovers.

Group 2: Midleton, Mallow, Kildorrery, Blackrock.

Group 3: Erin's Own, Sarsfields, Youghal, Ballygiblin. 

Football:

Group 1: Ilen Rovers, Kilmurry, Buttevant, Glanworth.

Group 2: Gabriel Rangers, Mitchelstown, St Finbarr's, Dromtarriffe.

Group 3: Bandon, Adrigole, Boherbue, Kildorrery.

Premier Junior

Hurling:

Group 1: Ballygarvan, Glen Rovers, Kilshannig, Nemo Rangers.

Group 2: Cloughduv, St Catherine's, Milford, Tracton.

Group 3: Mayifield, Argideen Rangers, Barryroe, St Finbarr's.

Football:

Group 1: Cullen, St Vincent's, Milstreet, Kinsale.

Group 2: Inniscarra, Cobh, Glenville, Urhan.

Group 3: Canovee, St Nick's, Na Piarsaigh, Kilmacabea.

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