The wait is over for hurling supporters as the 2026 JJ Kavanagh Carlow Senior Hurling Championship gets underway this weekend with three fixtures across Saturday and Sunday.
A double-header at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday gets the championship up and running. Bagenalstown Gaels take on Naomh Eoin at 5pm, before defending champions Mount Leinster Rangers begin the defence of their title against Naomh Bríd at 6.30pm.
Naomh Bríd will be hoping to make an early statement against the reigning champions, and forward Éanna Holland says the club’s ambitions are clear heading into the new campaign.
Speaking to KCLR Sport, Holland said reaching the last four has to be the minimum target.
“I suppose the aspiration is just to perform well, first of all, and then a couple of results will take care themselves and your target would be getting to a semi-final.
“So it’s no point in going any lower than that, that’ll be our target for this year.”
Holland also believes hurling in Carlow is in a healthy place, pointing to the growing strength throughout the county.
“Hurling is in a good place in Carlow, I think.
“You can probably see in the next five years or so you probably could get up to eight senior teams, whatever format that would take, but there are good teams in the intermediate championship as well that can push on.”
The opening weekend concludes on Sunday afternoon when Ballinkillen face last year’s runners-up St Mullins in the rescheduled championship opener at McGrath Park.
Throw-in is at 2pm, with full live commentary on KCLR Plus, in association with Dan Morrissey & Co.
