Darragh Fitzgibbon to captain Cork hurlers in 2026

Mark Coleman will serve as vice-captain this year

New Cork hurling captain, Darragh Fitzgibbon. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Darragh Fitzgibbon will captain the Cork hurlers in 2026, it has been confirmed. 

The Charleville clubman takes over from Robert Downey in the role. Seán O'Donoghue had captained Cork for the two seasons before the Glen Rovers man. 

Blarney's Mark Coleman will be vice-captain for the new season. Shane Barrett had held that role last year. 

Fitzgibbon, who won his third All-Star in 2025, made his Cork senior debut nine years ago under Kieran Kingston. He is yet feature this year under Ben O'Connor. 

The new Cork manager won his first game of his three in charge on Monday night, a one-point victory over Clare in the Munster SHL. Cork had lost to Limerick by 15 in their opening game of the pre-season competition, and by one to UCC in the Canon O'Brien Cup in late December.

Cork GAA is pleased to announce that Darragh Fitzgibbon of Charleville has been appointed as captain of the Cork senior hurling team for the new season. The role of vice-captain will be filled by Mark Coleman of Blarney. We wish Darragh and Mark every success for the new season. pic.twitter.com/XZvVezbO8N

— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) January 14, 2026