FOR the fourth time in five seasons, Castlehaven and Clonakilty have been drawn together in the group stage of the county premier senior football championship.

These two West Cork football powerhouses will clash, again, in 2026 after being drawn together in a formidable-looking Group 3 that also includes Cork senior A champs Knocknagree and 2025 semi-finalists Ballincollig.

Castlehaven have won all three PSFC derbies against Clonakilty, so that’s a cycle that the latter will be keen to break next summer. Haven won 0-10 to 1-5 in 2022, 1-16 to 1-14 a year later, and then 1-18 to 1-12 in 2024, so Seanie Cahalane’s men have the upperhand. But with Knocknagree and Ballincollig also involved, this is the ‘group of death’.

Newcestown will lock horns with Nemo Rangers in Group 2, and this is a rematch of their epic semi-final earlier this year when Nemo were fortunate to emerge one-point winners. Newcestown want to build on their impressive campaign, but will be wary of ties with St Michael's and Valley Rovers.

In group 1, reigning champions St Finbarr’s have been handed a reasonable draw, and will fancy their chances against Carrigaline, Mallow and Douglas.

West Cork GAA fans have plenty of derbies to look forward to next summer, including the clash of recently-relegated Carbery Rangers and O'Donovan Rossa in the Senior A championship. The Rosscarbery team will want to bounce back in 2026, but have a tricky group that includes beaten 2025 finalists Cill na Marta and Newmarket. Dohenys, under new management with Niall Hurley taking over from Declan O’Dwyer, are in Group 1 alongside Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh, Kanturk, and promoted Aghabullogue.

Looking down through the grades, the clash of Bandon, relegated from premier intermediate, and annual challengers Adrigole is one to look forward to in the intermediate A championship. They are joined in Group 3 by Boherbue and Kildorrery. Beaten 2025 finalists Ilen Rovers are in a group with Kilmurry, Buttevant and Glanworth.

There will be plenty of excitement in Kilmacabea, too, after the newly-crowned county junior A champions learned their fate for the 2026 premier junior competition – they are in a group alongside 2025 semi-finalists Canovee, beaten finalists St Nick's, and Na Piarsaigh.

PSFC – Group 1: St Finbarr's, Carrigaline, Mallow, Douglas. Group 2: Newcestown, Nemo Rangers, St Michael's, Valley Rovers. Group 3: Castlehaven, Ballincollig, Knocknagree, Clonakilty.

SAFC – Group 1: Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh, Kanturk, Dohenys, Aghabullogue. Group 2: Cill na Marta, Carbery Rangers, O'Donovan Rossa, Newmarket. Group 3: Bishopstown, Éire Óg, Clyda Rovers, Kilshannig.

PIFC – Group 1: Glanmire, Uibh Laoire, Bantry Blues, Rockchapel. Group 2: Kiskeam, Aghada, Macroom, Castletownbere. Group 3: Naomh Abán, Fermoy, Nemo Rangers, Ballinora.

IAFC – Group 1: Ilen Rovers, Kilmurry, Buttevant, Glanworth. Group 2: Gabriel Rangers, Mitchelstown, St Finbarr's, Dromtarriffe. Group 3: Bandon, Adrigole, Boherbue, Kildorrery.

PJFC – Group 1: Cullen, St Vincent's, Millstreet, Kinsale. Group 2: Inniscarra, Cobh, Glenville, Urhan. Group 3: Canovee, St Nick's, Na Piarsaigh, Kilmacabea.