2026 Tailteann Cup

Fifth edition of the Tailteann Cup From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2026 Tailteann Cup is the fifth edition of the Tailteann Cup, a Gaelic football competition contested by the seventeen county teams that did not qualify for the last 16 of the 2026 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.[1]

LevelTier 2
Year2026
TrophyTailteann Cup
Date9 May – 11 July
Quick facts Tournament details, Level ...
2026 Tailteann Cup
Tournament details
LevelTier 2
Year2026
TrophyTailteann Cup
Date9 May – 11 July
Teams17
Qualify for2027 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Other
Matches played28
 2025
2027 
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Kildare, the winners of the 2025 tournament, were not eligible to defend their title as winning the cup earnt them automatic entry into the 2026 All-Ireland Championship.[2] Down, winners of the 2024 Tailteann Cup and 2026 NFL Division Three champions, return to the Tailteann Cup after one season as the only former champions in the competition.

Format

The draw for the 2026 Tailteann Cup was made on 27 April 2026.[3]

Seventeen teams will compete in the competition (including New York who enter at the preliminary quarter final stage), namely those that did not reach the final of their provincial championship and were not among the seven highest-ranked teams at the end of the 2026 National Football League.[4]

  • In round 1, the sixteen teams (not including New York) are drawn to play one opponent in an open draw.
    • The 8 winners progress to Round 2A
    • The 8 losers go to Round 2B
  • In round 2B, the eight Round 1 losers play each other.
    • The 4 winners progress to Round 3
    • The 4 losers are eliminated
  • In round 2A, the eight Round 1 winners play each other.
    • 3 of the winners progress to the quarter-finals
    • 1 of the winners (chosen at random) progresses to the preliminary quarter-final
    • The 4 losers go to Round 3
  • In round 3, the four Round 2A losers play the four Round 2B winners.
    • The 4 winners progress to the quarter-finals
    • The 4 losers are eliminated.
  • In the preliminary quarter-final, one Round 2A winner plays New York at home (unless it is London, in which case a neutral venue in Ireland will be used.)
    • The winner progresses to the quarter-finals
    • The loser is eliminated.
  • In the quarter-finals, the four Round 3 winners play the three Round 2A winners and the preliminary quarter-final winner.
    • The 4 winners progress to the semi-finals
    • The 4 losers are eliminated.
  • In the semi-finals, the four quarter-final winners are drawn against each other.
    • The 2 winners progress to the Tailteann Cup final
    • The 2 losers are eliminated.
  • In the Tailteann Cup final, the two semi-final winners play each other at Croke Park.
    • The winners receive the Tailteann Cup and automatically qualify for the 2027 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
    • The finalists are eliminated.[4]

Teams

Seventeen teams compete in the 2026 Tailteann Cup.

More information County, Tailteann ...
County Tailteann Provincial All-Ireland Position in 2025 Appearance
Antrim 1951 Preliminary quarter-finals 5th
Carlow 1944 Preliminary quarter-finals 5th
Clare 1992 1st
Down 2024 1994 1994 4th
Fermanagh Semi-finals 5th
Laois 2003 Preliminary quarter-finals 5th
Leitrim 1994 Group stage 5th
Limerick 1896 1896 Final 4th
London Group stage 5th
Longford 1968 Group stage 5th
New York Preliminary quarter-finals 5th
Offaly 1997 1982 Quarter-finals 5th
Sligo 2007 Quarter-finals 4th
Tipperary 2020 1920 Group stage 5th
Waterford 1898 Group stage 5th
Wexford 1945 1918 Quarter-finals 5th
Wicklow Semi-finals 5th
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Fixtures and results

All throw-in times are UTC+1 (Irish Standard Time or British Summer Time).

Round 1

The draw for round 1 was made on 27 April 2026.[3][5]

More information Ennis ...
9 May 2026 Round 1 Clare 1-14 (17) (20) 1-17 Offaly Ennis  
16:00 (HT: 0-4 - 0-9) Venue: Cusack Park

Pts: Cormac Murray 1-2 (1tp), Brian McNamara 0-3, Aaron Griffin 0-3, Mark McInerney 0-2 (tp), Alan Sweeney 0-1, Cillian Brennan 0-1, Fionn Kelleher 0-1, Joe Rafferty 0-1
Report
Pts: Dylan Hyland 0-9 (2tp, 1tpf), Shane Tierney 1-0, Marcas Dalton 0-2, Keith O'Neill 0-2, Harry Plunkett 0-2, Nathan Poland 0-1, Jordan Hayes 0-1
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)


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More information Wexford ...
9 May 2026 Round 1 Wexford 2-19 (25) (14) 1-11 Limerick Wexford  
18:00 (HT: 0-12 - 1-3) Venue: Chadwicks Wexford Park

Pts: Ben Brosnan 0-6 (2tp), Darragh Brooks 0-3 (1tp), Liam O'Connor 1-0, Michael Kinsella 1-0, Páraic Hughes 0-2, Tom Byrne 0-2, Seán Nolan 0-2, Glen Malone 0-1, Cathal Kehoe 0-1, Mark Rossiter 0-1, Robbie Brooks 0-1
Report
Pts: James Naughton 0-4 (2tpf), Barry Coleman 0-3 (1tp), Mark McCarthy 1-0, Eliah Riordan 0-2 (tp), Rory O'Brien 0-1, Cillian Fahy 0-1
Referee: Séamus Mulhare (Laois)


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More information Sligo ...
10 May 2026 Round 1 Sligo 1-12 (15) (17) 0-17 Tipperary Sligo  
12:45 (HT: 1-4 - 0-11) Venue: Markievicz Park

Pts: Niall Murphy 0-4 (1f), Pat Spillane 0-4 (2tp), Lee Deignan 1-0, Gavin Gorman 0-1, Darragh Cummins 0-1, Alan McLoughlin 0-1 (f), Shane Deignan 0-1
Report
Pts: Seán O'Connor 0-6 (2tp), Charlie King 0-2, Micheál Freaney 0-2 (tp), Cian Smith 0-2 (1f), Daithí Hogan 0-2 (tp), Emmet Moloney 0-1, Joe Higgins 0-1, Eoin Craddock 0-1
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)


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More information Carlow ...
10 May 2026 Round 1 Carlow 2-26 (32) (35) 6-17
(a.e.t.)
Antrim Carlow  
13:30 (HT: 0-7 - 2-10)
(FT: 2-22 - 4-16)
Venue: Dr Cullen Park

Pts: Lee Walker 1-4 (1pen, 3f), Conor Crowley 0-6, Padraig Bolger 1-1, Ross Dunphy 0-3, Adam McCarron 0-3 (1tpf), Jamie Clarke 0-2, Chris Blake 0-2, Kyle Nolan 0-2 (tp), John Phiri 0-1, Paddy McDonnell 0-1, Liam Gavin 0-1 (f)
Report
Pts: Pat Shivers 1-5 (1tp, 1f), Ronan Boyle 2-0, Ryan McQuillan 1-3, Dominic McEnhill 0-4 (1tpf), Benen Kelly 1-0, Eoghan McCabe 1-0, Niall Burns 0-3, Joseph Finnegan 0-1, Tomás McCann 0-1
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)


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More information Portlaoise ...
10 May 2026 Round 1 Laois 1-23 (26) (19) 0-19 Wicklow Portlaoise  
14:00 (HT: 1-15 - 0-6) Venue: O'Moore Park

Pts: Evan O'Carroll 1-6 (1tpf), Matthew Byron 0-4 (1tpf), Ronan Coffey 0-3 (1tp), Pa Kirwan 0-3, Paul Kingston 0-2 (2f), Kevin Swayne 0-2, Daragh Galvin 0-1, Rob Tyrrell 0-1, Cian Nolan 0-1
Report
Pts: Mark Jackson 0-6 (3tpf), Oisin McGraynor 0-3 (2f), Eoin Darcy 0-3 (3f), Dean Healy 0-2 (tp), Eoin Murtagh 0-2 (tp), Mark Kenny 0-2, Joe Prendergast 0-1
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)


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More information Dungarvan ...
10 May 2026 Round 1 Waterford 0-10 (10) (27) 5-12 London Dungarvan  
14:00 (HT: 0-4 - 4-1) Venue: Fraher Field

Pts: Alan Dunwoody 0-4 (2f), Michael O'Brien 0-3 (3f), Aaron Ryan 0-2, Stephen Curry 0-1
Report
Pts: Shay Rafter 1-2, Joe McGill 1-1, James Davis 1-1, David Gouldson 1-1, Finbarr Crowley 1-0, Henry Walsh 0-3 (2f), Kristian Healy 0-1, Liam Gallagher 0-1, Conor O'Donohue 0-1, Ciaran Diver 0-1
Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary)


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More information Enniskillen ...
10 May 2026 Round 1 Fermanagh 1-24 (27) (23) 2-17 Longford Enniskillen  
15:00 (HT: 1-9 - 1-10) Venue: Brewster Park

Pts: Conor Love 1-2, Darragh McGurn 0-4, Mattie McDermott 0-3, Ronan McCaffrey 0-2, Josh Largo Elis 0-2, Seán Cassidy 0-2, Stephen McGullion 0-2 (tp), Ciaran Corrigan 0-2, Shane McGuillion 0-1, Brandon Horan 0-1, Joe McDade 0-1, Garvan Jones 0-1 (f), Oisin Kelm 0-1
Report
Pts: Dylan Farrell 1-5 (2tp, 1'45), Matthew Carey 0-4 (1tp), Oisin O'Toole 1-0, Oran Kenny 0-3, Paddy Moran 0-2, Matthew Flynn 0-1, Joseph Hagan 0-1, Daniel Reynolds 0-1
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)


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More information Newry ...
16 May 2026 Round 1 Down Down 1-27 (30) (16) 0-16 Leitrim Leitrim Newry  
18:00 (HT: 0-12 – 0-8) Venue: Páirc Esler

Pts: Ruairí McCormack 1-3 (1tp), Patrick Havern 0-5 (1tp, 1f), Daniel Guinness 0-4 (1tp), Ceilum Doherty 0-3, Miceal Rooney 0-3, Eamon Brown 0-3, Ronan Burns 0-2 (tpf), Tom Close 0-2, Séamus Loughran 0-1, Odhran Murdock 0-1
Report
Pts: Killian Gaffey 0-5 (2tpf, 1'45), Paul Honeyman 0-3, Fergal McLoughlin 0-2, Ben Guckian 0-2 (1f), Oisin McLoughlin 0-2 (tp), Jack Kelly 0-1, Mark Diffey 0-1
Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway)


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Round 2

The draw was held on 11 May 2026.

More information South Ruislip ...
23 May 2026 Round 2A London 1-14 (17) (32) 1-29 Laois South Ruislip  
14:00 (HT: 0-07 – 1-11) Venue: McGovern Park

Pts: Joe McGill 0-5 (1tp, 1f), Shay Rafter 0-3, Ciaran Diver 0-3 (1tp, 1f), Michael O'Reilly 1-0, Henry Freeman 0-1, David Gouldson 0-1, Tighe Barry 0-1
Report
Pts: Evan O'Carroll 1-5 (1f), Paul Kingston 0-4 (1tp), Pa Kirwan 0-3 (1tp), Paddy O'Sullivan 0-3, Ronan Coffey 0-1 (1tp), Cian Nolan 0-2 (tp), Killian Roche 0-2 (2f), Simon Fingleton 0-2, Daragh Galvin 0-1, Brian Byrne 0-1, Conor Heffernan 0-1, Kevin Swayne 0-1, Mikie Dempsey 0-1
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford


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More information Tullamore ...
23 May 2026 Round 2A Offaly 3-22 (31) (23) 1-20 Down Tullamore  
18:00 (HT: 2-13 – 1-11) Venue: O'Connor Park

Pts: Dylan Hyland 1-11 (1pen, 3tp, 2f), Shane Tierney 1-3, Jordan Hayes 0-5 (2tp), Keith O'Neill 0-3 (1tp), Diarmuid Egan 1-0
Report
Pts: Pat Havern 0-5 (1tp, 3f), Pearse McPolin 1-0, Ronan Burns 0-3 (1tpf, 1'45), Shane Annett 0-2, Ceilum Doherty 0-2, Tom Close 0-2, Caolan Mooney 0-1, Daniel Guinness 0-1, Ryan Magill 0-1, Callum Rogers 0-1, John McGeough 0-1, Eamon Brown 0-1
Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)


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More information Enniskillen ...
24 May 2026 Round 2A Fermanagh 2-20 (26) (19) 2-13 Wexford Enniskillen  
13:00 (HT: 0-12 – 0-05) Venue: Brewster Park

Pts: Darragh McGurn 0-7 (2tp), Stephen McGullion 2-0, Garvan Jones 0-4 (1f, 1tpf), Conor Love 0-2, Josh Largo Elis 0-2, Conor McGee 0-1, Mattie McDermott 0-1, Ciaran Corrigan 0-1, Conor O'Hanlon 0-1, Ronan McCaffrey 0-1
Report
Pts: Seán Ryan 2-0, Ben Brosnan 0-4 (2f), Paraic Hughes 0-3 (1tp), Darragh Brooks 0-1 (f), Glen Malone 0-1, Eoghan Nolan 0-1, Michael Kinsella 0-1, Seán Nolan 0-1 (f), Martin O'Connor 0-1
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)
TV: GAA+


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More information Belfast ...
24 May 2026 Round 2A Antrim 4-12 (24) (18) 2-12 Tipperary Belfast  
15:15 (HT: 2-06 – 0-04) Venue: Corrigan Park

Pts: Ryan McQuillan 2-1, Ronan Boyle 1-0, Conor Hand 1-0, Paddy McAleer 0-2, Dominic McEnhill 0-2 (2f), Niall Burns 0-2, Tomas McCann 0-1, Eoghan McCabe 0-1, Marc Jordan 0-1, Tiernan McCormack 0-1, John McNabb 0-1
Report
Pts: Seán O'Connor 0-5 (1tpf, 3f), Steven O'Brien 1-1, Joe Higgins 1-0, James Morris 0-1, Paddy Creedon 0-2, Cian Smith 0-1, Paudie Feehan 0-1, Charlie King 0-1
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)


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More information Aughrim ...
23 May 2026 Round 2B Wicklow 4-17 (29) (20) 2-14 Limerick Aughrim  
16:00 (HT: 2-06 – 2-10) Venue: Echelon Park

Pts: Dean Healy 1-2 (tp), Mark Jackson 0-4 (2tpf), Eoin Murtagh 1-0, Pádraig O'Toole 1-0, Malachy Stone 1-0, Eoin Darcy 0-3 (2f), Jonathan Carlin 0-2, Oisín McGraynor 0-2, Kevin Quinn 0-2, Tom Moran 0-1, Matt Nolan 0-1
Report
Pts: Danny Neville 1-3 (1tp), James Naughton 1-2 (1pen, 1f), Cillian Fahy 0-3 (1tp), Tony McCarthy 0-2, Barry Coleman 0-2 (tp), Eliah O'Riordan 0-1, Peter Nash 0-1 (f)
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)


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More information Ennis ...
23 May 2026 Round 2B Clare 1-18 (21) (23) 2-17 Longford Ennis  
17:00 (HT: 0-07 – 0-08) Venue: Cusack Park

Pts: Aaron Griffin 0-7 (1tp), Mark McInerney 0-4 (1f, 1'45), Emmet McMahon 0-4 (1tp), Cillian Rouine 1-0, Dermot Coughlan 0-1, Fionn Kelleher 0-1, Alan Sweeney 0-1
Report
Pts: Dylan Farrell 1-7 (1tp, 1f), Oran Kenny 1-4 (1f, 1tp), Daniel Reynolds 0-2, Matthew Flynn 0-2 (tp), Paddy Moran 0-1, Aaron Farrell 0-1
Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway)


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More information Carrick-on-Shannon ...
23 May 2026 Round 2B Leitrim 0-22 (22) (16) 1-13 Carlow Carrick-on-Shannon  
17:30 (HT: 0-06 – 0-09) Venue: Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada

Pts: Paul Honeyman 0-8 (3tp), Killian Gaffey 0-6 (2tpf, 2'45), Ryan O'Rourke 0-2 (1f), Conor Quinn 0-1, Oisin McLoughlin 0-1, Mark Diffley 0-1, Keith Keegan 0-1
Report
Pts: Ross Dunphy 0-5 (2tp), Adam McCarron 0-3 (1tpf), Padraig Bolger 0-3 (1tp), Lee Walker 1-0, Paddy McDonnell 0-2, Conor Crowley 0-1
Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)


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More information Dungarvan ...
24 May 2026 Round 2B Waterford 3-12 (21) (29) 0-29 Sligo Dungarvan  
13:00 (HT: 0-07 – 0-19) Venue: Fraher Field

Pts: Aaron Ryan 1-2, Dermot Ryan 1-2, Liam Mulligan 1-0, Stephen Curry 0-2, Alan Dunwoody 0-2 (1f), Michael O'Brien 0-2, Caolan Mac Cathmhaoil 0-1, Adam Murray 0-1
Report
Pts: Lee Deignan 0-11 (3tp), Shane Deignan 0-5 (1tp), Niall Murphy 0-4 (1f), Darragh Cummins 0-2, Luke Towey 0-2, Jack Lavin 0-2, Cian Lally 0-2, Gavin Gorman 0-1
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)


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Round 3

Round 2A losers played the Round 2B winners. A draw determined the home team in each fixture.[6]

More information South Ruislip ...
6 June 2026 Round 3 London 0-16 (16) (22) 2-16 Sligo South Ruislip  
13:00 (HT: 0-6 – 0-7) Venue: McGovern Park

Pts: Shay Rafter 6, Joe McGill 4 (1x2p), Ciaran Diver 2, Liam Gallagher 2, Daniel Clarke 1, Conor O’Donohue 1
Report Gls: Canice Mulligan 1, Gavin Gorman 1
Pts: Lee Deignan 5 (1x2p), Niall Murphy 4 (3fs), Alan McLoughlin 3 (1x2p), Conor Walsh 1, Shane Deignan 1, Pat Spillane 1, Canice Mulligan 1
Referee: Séamus Mulhare (Laois)


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More information Carrick-on-Shannon ...
6 June 2026 Round 3 Leitrim 1-12 (15) (20) 0-20 Wexford Carrick-on-Shannon  
14:00 (HT: 0-0 – 0-14) Venue: Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada
Gls: Jack Kelly 1
Pts: Oisín McLoughlin 7 (3x2p, 1f), Jack Kelly 3, Ruairí O’Rourke 1, Mark Diffley 1
Report
Pts: Ben Brosnan 4 (2fs), Niall Hughes 3, Mark Rossiter 3 (1f), Glen Malone 2, Páiric Hughes 2, Eoghan Nolan 2 (2p), Darragh Brooks 2 (2pf), Robbie Brooks 1, Michael Kinsella 1
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)


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More information Aughrim ...
6 June 2026 Round 3 Wicklow 1-17 (20) (12) 0-12 Tipperary Aughrim  
17:00 (HT: 1-3 – 0-7) Venue: Echelon Park
Gls: Kevin Quinn 1
Pts: Kevin Quinn 6 (1x2p), Oisin McGraynor 3 (2fs), Liam O’Neill 3 (1x2p), Pádraig O’Toole 2, Eoin Darcy 1, Joe Prendergast 1, Mark Kenny 1
Report
Pts: Sean O’Connor 5 (3fs, 1x2pf), Paddy Creedon 5 (1x2p), Steven O’Brien 2
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)


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More information Longford ...
6 June 2026 Round 3 Longford 1-15 (18) (30) 4-18 Down Longford  
18:00 Venue: Pearse Park

Pts: Dessie Reynolds 1-2 (1tp), Oran Kenny 0-5 (1tpf), Joseph Hagan 0-3 (1tp), Peter Lynn 0-1, Matthew Flynn 0-1, Paddy Mora 0-1, Dylan Farrell 0-1 (f), Aaron Farrell 0-1
Report
Pts: Eamon Brown 1-2 (1f), Ruari O'Hare 1-1, Ryan McGill 1-0, Patrick Brooks 1-0, Ronan Burns 0-3 (1'45, 1tpf), Shane Annett 0-2, Odhran Murdock 0-2, Miceal Rooney 0-2, Pat Havern 0-2 (1f), Caolon Mooney 0-2, Jamie Doran 0-1, Órán Cunningham 0-1
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)
TV: GAA+


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Final stages

In the preliminary quarter-final, one Round 2A winner was chosen at random to play New York at home.

The quarter-finals see the Round 2A and preliminary quarter-final winners drawn against the Round 3 winners; the draw took place on 8 June 2026. Fixtures cannot be repeated, so the pairings Fermanagh–Wexford, Laois–Wicklow and Offaly–Down could not occur.[7]

More information Enniskillen ...
6 June 2026 Preliminary quarter-final Fermanagh 3-27 (36) (16) 1-13 New York Enniskillen  
15:00 (HT: 1-13 – 1-6) Venue: Brewster Park
Gls: Darragh McGurn 1, Mattie McDermott 1, Aogan Kelm 1
Pts: Joe McDade 4, Darragh McGurn 3, Mattie McDermott 2 (1f), Conor Love 3, Ronan McCaffrey 3, Garvan Jones 3 (1x2pf), Sean McNally 3 (all 45's), Conor O’Hanlon 3 (1x2p), Shane McGullion 1, Conor McGee 1, Ultan Kelm 1
Report Gls: Killian Butler 1
Pts: Frank O’Reilly 7 (2x2pf, 1x2p), Jack McKenna 2, Conor Keenan 1, Jimmy O’Grady 1, Tiarnan Mathers 1, Killian Butler 1
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)
TV: GAA+


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More information Tullamore ...
13 June 2026 Quarter-final Offaly v Wexford Tullamore  
13:00 Venue: O'Connor Park
Referee: Séamus Mulhare (Laois)
TV: GAA+


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More information Belfast ...
13 June 2026 Quarter-final Antrim v Wicklow Belfast  
14:00 Venue: Corrigan Park
Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway)


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More information Portlaoise ...
13 June 2026 Quarter-final Laois v Down Portlaoise  
16:00 Venue: O'Moore Park
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)
TV: GAA+


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More information Enniskillen ...
13 June 2026 Quarter-final Fermanagh v Sligo Enniskillen  
17:00 Venue: Brewster Park
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)


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20/21 June 2026 Semi-final Quarter-final winner v Quarter-final winner  


20/21 June 2026 Semi-final Quarter-final winner v Quarter-final winner  


More information Dublin ...
11 July 2026 Final Semi-final winner v Semi-final winner Dublin  
Venue: Croke Park


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References

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