NEWCESTOWN have been handed a difficult group stage draw in the 2026 Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship.
The Carbery club will face 2025 finalists Midleton, St Finbarr’s and Bride Rovers in Group 3.
Midleton have appeared in three of the last five county finals, the Barrs ran county champions Sarsfields to one point last season while Bride have come up from Senior A and have momentum.
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Having said that, Newcestown did manage a draw against Midleton in the 2025 group stage in Páirc Uí Rinn and arguably should have won that game.
Elsewhere in the top tier, champions Sars face Charleville, Douglas and Newtownshandrum in Group 2, while Group 1 has a city derby between Blackrock and Glen Rovers.
In the Intermediate A Hurling Championship, close neighbours Bandon and Kilbrittain have been drawn in the same group. The West Cork clubs take their place in Group 1 with Imokilly sides Aghada and Russell Rovers.
Kilbrittain have come up from the premier junior grade and will hope to continue their rise while Bandon will look to bounce back after their county final defeat to Aghabullogue.
Another south-west clash to look forward to in the premier junior hurling championship as Barryroe take on Argideen Rangers in Group 3. They are joined by Mayfield and St Finbarr’s second team. Argideen reached the knockout stage last season and will want to return there while Barryroe survived relegation after beating Meelin.
There is a Carrigdhoun derby in the Senior A hurling championship as newly promoted Ballinhassig face Courcey Rovers in Group 3, a group made up by Inniscarra and Carrigtwohill. Another south-east heavy group is in the premier intermediate hurling championship as Carrigaline, Valley Rovers and Ballymartle are in Group 3 alongside Kilworth.
PSHC – Group 1: Blackrock, Glen Rovers, Kanturk, Fr O’Neill’s; Group 2: Sarsfields, Charleville, Douglas, Newtownshandrum; Group 3: Midleton, St Finbarr’s, Bride Rovers, Newcestown.
SAHC – Group 1: Blarney, Castlelyons, Watergrasshill, Ballyhea; Group 2: Na Piarsaigh, Erin’s Own, Killeagh, Fermoy; Group 3: Carrigtwohill, Inniscarra, Ballinhassig, Courcey Rovers.
PIHC – Group 1: Bishopstown, Ballincollig, Éire Óg, Aghabullogue; Group 2: Dungourney, Cloyne, Castlemartyr, Lisgoold; Group 3: Carrigaline, Valley Rovers, Kilworth, Ballymartle.
IAHC – Group 1: Aghada, Bandon, Kilbrittain, Russell Rovers; Group 2: Midleton, Mallow, Kildorrery, Blackrock; Group 3: Erin’s Own, Sarsfields, Youghal, Ballygiblin.
PJHC – Group 1: Ballygarvan, Glen Rovers, Kilshannig, Nemo Rangers; Group 2: Cloughduv, St Catherine’s, Milford, Tracton; Group 3: Mayfield, Argideen Rangers, Barryroe, St Finbarr’s.
