2026 Dr McKenna Cup

Last updated
2026 Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup
Tournament details
Province Ulster
Year2026
TrophyDr McKenna Cup
Sponsor Bank of Ireland
Date2–17 January 2026
Teams9
Defending champions Derry
Other
Matches played12
Website Ulster GAA
←  2024
2027  →

The 2026 Dr McKenna Cup is a Gaelic football competition for county teams in the province of Ulster. [1]

Contents

In September 2025, a unanimous vote of Ulster GAA's Competition Controls Committee favoured the holding of a 2026 edition of the competition. [2] The draw, for what is the centenary edition of the competition, took place in November 2025. [3] The first fixture, between Armagh and Tyrone, was played on a Friday evening, 2 January. [4]

Competition format

Group stage The nine teams are drawn into three sections of three teams. Each team plays the other teams in their section once, either home or away. Two points are awarded for a win and one for a draw. The tie-break for teams level on points is points average (total scored ÷ total conceded), instead of the usual points difference. [5]

Knockout stage The winners of the three sections and the best of the runners-up in the three sections compete in the semi-finals with the two winners meeting in the final. Drawn games go to penalty shootouts without extra time being played. [6]

Group stage

Section A

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPRPtsQualification
1 Colours of Tyrone.svg Tyrone 220037311.1944Advance to semi-final
2 Colours of Down.svg Down [a] 210114180.7782Potentially advance to semi-final
3 Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh [a] (E)200217190.8950
Updated to match(es) played on 7 January 2026. Source: Ulster GAA
(E) Eliminated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Armagh defeated Down by 3-10 to 1-10, but the result was reversed due to the fielding of ineligible players. [7]

Section B

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPRPtsQualification
1 Colours of Monaghan.svg Monaghan 220036301.2004Advance to semi-final
2 Colours of Fermanagh.svg Fermanagh [a] 200217200.8500Potentially advance to semi-final
3 Colours of Cavan.svg Cavan [a] (E)200213160.8130
Updated to match(es) played on 7 January 2026. Source: Ulster GAA
(E) Eliminated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Fermanagh defeated Cavan by 1-12 to 1-10, but the result was made null and void due to the fielding of ineligible players by both sides; both teams received 0 points. [7]

Section C

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPRPtsQualification
1 Colours of Derry.svg Derry [a] (A)21102273.1433Advance to semi-final
2 Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal [a] 21101872.5713Potentially advance to semi-final
3 Colours of Antrim.svg Antrim 200214400.3500
Updated to match(es) played on 7 January 2026. Source: Ulster GAA
(A) Advanced to knockout stage
Notes:
  1. 1 2 The Donegal–Derry game was not played due to harsh weather making roads dangerous. The game was declared a draw and both teams received one point. [8]

Knock-out stage

Semi-finals

14 January 2026Semi-final Colours of Derry.svg Derry v Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal
14 January 2026Semi-final Colours of Monaghan.svg Monaghan v Colours of Tyrone.svg Tyrone

Final

17 January 2026Finalv

References

  1. ↑ "2026 Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna Cup Groupings". November 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Ulster GAA confirms Dr McKenna Cup return". BBC. 24 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "2026 Dr McKenna Cup draw made". Hogan Stand. 27 November 2025.
  4. ↑ Crumley, Odhran (2 December 2025). "Armagh v Tyrone to open returning McKenna Cup". BBC.
  5. ↑ Staff Writer (January 6, 2019). "Here's the permutations of what the Dr McKenna Cup can throw up". Donegal Daily.
  6. ↑ Devlin, Michael (December 2, 2025). "2026 Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup fixtures confirmed".
  7. 1 2 "Fermanagh and Armagh docked McKenna Cup points". January 9, 2026 – via www.rte.ie.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ↑ "Dr. McKenna Cup: Donegal and Derry game will not be rescheduled". January 4, 2026.
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