After a year’s absence, the O’Byrne Cup returns in early 2026, with Carlow footballers among the first in action.
The Barrowsiders will open their campaign at home to Offaly on Saturday, January 3rd, marking the county’s first competitive outing of the new season. The match forms part of a busy first round across Leinster, with Laois hosting Dublin, Wexford facing Kildare, Wicklow taking on Meath, and Longford meeting Westmeath. Louth have received a bye to the quarter-finals.
Should Carlow get past Offaly, they’ll move on to face the winners of Wicklow v Meath in the quarter-final set for Wednesday, January 7th. Victories there would carry them into the semi-finals on Saturday, January 10th, before the final takes place on January 16th.
Teams defeated in the opening round will contest the O’Byrne Shield, ensuring further early-season action as counties continue their preparations for the 2026 National Football League.
Meanwhile, in hurling, Kilkenny and Carlow both begin their Walsh Cup journeys on Sunday, January 4th.
Kilkenny travel to face Westmeath, while Carlow host Dublin, in a competitive slate that also sees Kildare meeting Galway, Offaly facing Antrim, and Laois welcoming Wexford.
The winners of Laois v Wexford will face the victors of Carlow v Dublin in the quarter-finals on Thursday, January 8th, with semi-finals following on Sunday, January 11th.
The final is pencilled in for Sunday, January 18th, with the Walsh Shield running in parallel for first-round losers, offering valuable game time before the Allianz Hurling League begins.
Both Leinster competitions signal the official start of the inter-county season — and a welcome return for supporters eager to see their sides back in action after the winter break.
