2026 McGrath Cup

2026 McGrath Cup

Tournament details
Province	Munster
Date	2–17 January 2026
Teams	6
Defending champions	Cork
Other
Matches played	7
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The 2026 McGrath Cup is an inter-county Gaelic football competition in the province of Munster, played by all six county teams in January 2026. ^{[1] [2]}

Kerry player Joe O'Connor was opposed to the McGrath Cup taking place. ^[3] Munster GAA ignored this and the fixtures were announced in November 2025, with the competition commencing on 2 January. ^[4] The first fixture, between Clare and Waterford, took place on a Friday evening, 2 January. ^{[5] [6]}

Format

The teams are drawn into two groups of three teams. Each team plays the other teams in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw. The two group winners play in the final.

Group stage

Group A

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Kerry	1	1	0	0	16	14	+2	2	Advance to final
2	Clare	2	1	0	1	33	27	+6	2
3	Waterford	1	0	0	1	11	19	−8	0

Updated to match(es) played on 6 January 2026. Source: Munster GAA

Group B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Cork	1	1	0	0	29	10	+19	2	Advance to final
2	Tipperary (E)	2	1	0	1	25	33	−8	2
3	Limerick	1	0	0	1	4	15	−11	0

Updated to match(es) played on 6 January 2026. Source: Munster GAA
(E) Eliminated, cannot reach final

Final

1st Group A v 1st Group B

17 January 2026 (2026-01-17)Final	1st Group A	v	1st Group B
19:00 IWT (GMT±0)

References

1. Fogarty, John (October 9, 2025). "All six Munster counties in favour of return of pre-season competitions". Irish Examiner.
2. Donnelly, Ed (December 6, 2025). "2026 McGrath Cup Football Final - Munster GAA".
3. Brady, Seamus (11 September 2025). "Kerry's Joe O'Connor not keen on return of McGrath Cup in 2026". sportsjoe.ie.
4. "Munster Senior Hurling League and McGrath Cup fixtures announced". Hogan Stand. 7 November 2025.
5. Locke, Cian (6 November 2025). "Fixtures confirmed for Munster Hurling League and McGrath Cup". Irish Examiner.
6. Keane, Thomas (17 December 2025). "Waterford gearing up for the start of the 2026 Inter county season". Waterford News & Star.