Prepare for fireworks! The 2026 Senior Football Championship (SFC) provincial draws are out, and they've set the stage for some early-season clashes that are sure to ignite passions. But here's the big one: Ulster's old rivals, Armagh and Tyrone, are set to collide right out of the gate! Get ready for a potentially season-defining showdown.
The draw, which took place at Croke Park on Thursday evening, has immediately thrown up a tantalizing tie in the Ulster Championship. Armagh and Tyrone, two counties steeped in footballing history and separated by a fierce rivalry, will lock horns in the preliminary round. The stakes? A place in the quarter-finals against Fermanagh. This is a game neither team will want to lose, setting the tone for their entire championship campaign. Consider this: Could the winner of this match go all the way to the All-Ireland series? It's not out of the question!
And speaking of Ulster, Donegal, hungry for a third consecutive Anglo Celt title, will face a Down team that's been steadily improving. That match promises to be a real test for both sides, with Down eager to prove they can compete with the province's elite. But here's where it gets controversial... some pundits are already suggesting that Down's 'improving' form might not be enough to overcome the experience and firepower of Donegal. What do you think?
The other quarter-final pairings in Ulster see Derry taking on Antrim, and Monaghan facing Cavan. Both of these matches have the potential to be close-fought affairs, with local pride and championship dreams on the line.
Moving south to Munster, All-Ireland champions Kerry, aiming for a staggering 87th Munster crown, will face Clare in the semi-final. These two teams are becoming quite familiar with each other, having met in the last two Munster finals. Will Clare finally be able to dethrone the Kingdom, or will Kerry continue their dominance?
Cork, who pushed Kerry to extra-time in a thrilling semi-final last April, will face Jimmy Lee's Limerick in the quarter-final. The winner of that match will then face either Tipperary or Waterford in the semi-final, as they all battle for a place in the Munster final next May. And this is the part most people miss... Cork's near-miss against Kerry last year might just give them the edge and the confidence to go all the way this time around. Don't count them out!
In Connacht, Galway, looking to secure a Nestor Cup five-timer (that's five in a row!), are waiting in the semi-finals for the winner of the Sligo/Leitrim clash. That's a lot of pressure! Will they crumble?
As part of the province's rotational system, Roscommon will travel to New York, while Mayo will head to London. The winners of those two unique encounters will then meet in the other semi-final. Playing in New York or London adds a whole new dimension to the championship; the travel, the unfamiliar surroundings, the novelty factor – it can all play a part.
Turning our attention to Leinster, Louth's defence of their Leinster crown will begin with a game against Wexford, with the tantalizing prospect of a clash with Dublin in the provincial semi-final looming large. After ending a 68-year wait for the Delaney Cup last May – after successive defeats in the 2023 and 2024 finals – the Wee County will be determined to prove that their victory was no fluke. Their defence begins at the quarter-final stage against Wexford.
Ger Brennan, the man who guided Louth to that historic Croke Park triumph, is now in charge of his native county, Dublin. The Dubs will start their campaign against either Carlow or Laois in the quarter-final, before that potential showdown with the defending champions. But here's a thought: with Brennan's inside knowledge of Louth, could Dublin have an advantage if that semi-final clash materializes? It's a fascinating subplot!
The other side of the Leinster draw sees Tailteann Cup winners Kildare facing Offaly/Laois, and Meath, beaten finalists and All-Ireland semi-finalists in 2025, playing either Westmeath or Longford in the quarter-final. The Leinster championship is shaping up to be a real battleground!
Here's a summary of the 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/Laois
So, there you have it! The draws are made, the stage is set, and the anticipation is building. Which tie are you most looking forward to? Do you agree with the early predictions, or do you think there's a surprise in store? Who are your dark horses for the championship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
