Dark horses, upwardly mobile and groups of death: guide to Cork's football championships

From Castletownbere and Castlehaven to Ballyvourney and Bantry, Cork's football hopefuls hoist their Championship ambitions this weekend. Eoghan Cormican and Eamonn Murphy look at the key runners and riders, and the games to watch

TOGGED: McCarthy Insurance Group chief Brendan Harrington and Cork GAA chair Pat Horgan pictured with the defending champions across Cork's various grades with (from left) Kilmacabea's Ian Jennings, Mark Lenahan from Premier JFC winners Buttevant, Ballinora's Danny Dineen, Alan O'Connor, of Premier SFC winners St. Finbarrs, Aghabullogue's John Corkery, and Patrick Doyle from Knocknagree, who have been promoted to the top tier for 2026. 

Cork Premier SFC 

Defending champions: St Finbarr’s have not successfully defended the county title since 1980. If they are to achieve such a feat in the months ahead, they must do so without a key pillar of their defensive effort, Billy Hennessy, who has relocated to the US for work.