Ulster is the championship that just keeps on giving. Following the draws for next year’s provincial series throughout Ireland, we have some fixtures that would be worthy of an All Ireland itself.
In fact, even before the championship proper starts, we have the fascinating prospect of Armagh and Tyrone in an Ulster preliminary round tie that could fill Croke Park – in April.
It is a repeat of the 2025 semi-final when Kieran McGeeney’s squad prevailed by the narrowest of margins and with home advantage, the Orchard county will be hoping to make it two-in-a-row of wins over the weekend of 11/12 April next.
The prize for the winner is a quarter-final joust with Fermanagh, which with respect, should prove an easier passage than some other counties will face at that stage.
If that wasn’t enough, the other big fish in the province, Donegal is also in that side of the draw and as they go in search of a hat-trick of Anglo Celt titles, they will face a tricky test against an improving Down outfit.
The plum draw on the other side sees neighbors Cavan and Monaghan lock horns in what is always a game where the winner is impossible to predict, while Derry have the easier task of disposing of Antrim at the quarter stage.
In the other provinces, the big two are kept apart in Munster as All-Ireland champions Kerry begin the defense of the provincial and All-Ireland titles against Clare with Cork taking on Limerick before the winners of that clash meet Waterford and Tipperary on the other side of the draw.
In Connacht, Pádraic Joyce’s Galway have an easy start in their quest for five in a row by taking on the winners of Sligo/Leitrim at the semi-final stage while Roscommon travel to New York and Mayo to London with the two winners meeting at the penultimate stage..
In Leinster, defending champions Louth face Wexford before the winner takes on the Dublin juggernaut, ironically managed by former Wee County boss Ger Brennan in the ‘26 season.
Dublin’s opening run out is against either Carlow or Laois while on the other side, Kildare face either neighbors Offaly or Laois while Meath take on the winner of Westmeath and Longford at the quarter stages.
ALL IRELAND DRAWS
ULSTER
Preliminary Round
Armagh v Tyrone
Quarter-Finals
Derry v Antrim, Monaghan v Cavan, Donegal v Down, Fermanagh v Armagh/Tyrone
Semi-Finals
Derry/Antrim v Monaghan/Cavan, Donegal/Down v Fermanagh/Armagh/Tyrone
MUNSTER
Quarter-Finals
Tipperary v Waterford, Limerick v Cork
Semi-Finals
Tipperary/Waterford v Limerick/Cork, Clare v Kerry
CONNACHT
Quarter-Finals
New York v Roscommon, London v Mayo, Sligo v Leitrim
Semi-Finals
Sligo/Leitrim v Galway, New York/Roscommon v London/Mayo
LEINSTER
Preliminary Round
Carlow v Wicklow, Westmeath v Longford, Offaly v Laois
Quarter-Finals
Kildare v Offaly/Laois; Meath v Westmeath/Longford, Louth v Wexford, Dublin v Carlow/Wicklow
Semi-Finals
Kildare/Offaly/Laois v Meath/Westmeath/Longford
Louth/Wexford v Dublin/Carlow/Wicklow
