Carlow’s path in the 2026 Leinster Football Championship has been confirmed, with the Barrowsiders set to meet Wicklow in a preliminary-round clash next April, as Joe Murphy heads into his first full season as Carlow senior football manager.
The winner of that tie will advance to face Dublin, now managed by Ger Brennan, in the quarter-finals
While the Leinster Championship is the priority, Carlow will see competitive action even earlier. The O’Byrne Cup returns in early 2026, with the Barrowsiders hosting Offaly on Saturday, January 3rd.
Leinster
The remainder of the Leinster draw has thrown up several key fixtures.
Reigning champions Louth begin the defence of their provincial title with a quarter-final meeting against Wexford.
Dublin, as noted, awaits the Carlow–Wicklow winner, while the draw sets the tone for what promises to be a competitive 2026 provincial campaign.
Munster
Kerry’s All-Ireland title defence will begin in the Munster semi-final, where they will face Clare. The draw leaves the quarter-final route to the champions to be decided between
Cork vs Limerick and Tipperary vs Waterford, with both winners advancing to meet Munster’s top two.
Ulster
Rivals Armagh and Tyrone have been paired in the preliminary round of next year’s Ulster Championship.
The winner will move forward to a quarter-final meeting with Fermanagh.
Defending Ulster champions Donegal begin their campaign at home to Down, also in the last eight.
Connacht
In Connacht, Galway—seeking a fifth consecutive provincial crown—will begin their 2026 championship in the semi-finals. They await the winner of the quarter-final meeting between Sligo and Leitrim.
