Eight-time All-Ireland winner and KCLR analyst Aidan “Taggy” Fogarty says he is pleased to see the Dioralyte Walsh Cup return to the hurling calendar for 2026.
The competition begins with Carlow hosting Dublin and Kilkenny travelling to Westmeath on the opening weekend. Both fixtures will be broadcast live on KCLR. Under the current format, every team is guaranteed at least one additional game regardless of their opening-round result.
Speaking on the KCLR Hurling Podcast, Fogarty said the return of the tournament makes sense for counties preparing for the season ahead:
“You may as well have a competitive match rather than just a practice match. So the Walsh Cup, they’re competitive matches.”
Fogarty added that the early-season competition gives fringe or lesser-known players a chance to stake their claim:
“It does give an opportunity maybe for the lesser-known lads to put up their hands and maybe make a statement… in the middle of January and February. It is a very hard thing to do.”
While he supports the return of the Walsh Cup, Fogarty also suggested that the wider fixtures calendar could be reviewed:
“I probably would like to see maybe if they’re changing the structures of the league and maybe pull back the league a little bit… start it earlier, don’t have the pre-tournaments, and maybe put the All-Ireland a little bit further, maybe a week or two into August.”
The 2026 Dioralyte Walsh Cup marks a renewed start-of-year competitive window for hurling counties, giving teams meaningful games as they build toward the National League.
