THE 2026 Muskerry junior championship draws have thrown up some interesting encounters.
BY BRENDAN KENNEALLY
In the MJK Oils Junior A Hurling Championship, Ballinora are hoping to win their sixth title in succession. They have dominated this competition in recent years, winning their fifth title on the bounce last October when they defeated Grenagh by 0-22 to 1-11 – they have been drawn together in the same group this season. The question is: can anyone dethrone the Mid Cork hurling kingpins this season?
There are two groups and the top two in each qualify for the semi-finals. Group 1 includes Inniscarra, Grenagh, Ballinora, Uibh Laoire, Kilmichael, Aghabullogue. Group 2 features Ballincollig, Donoughmore, Dripsey, Éire Óg, Blarney.
ADVERTISEMENT
***
In the Ross Oil Junior A Football Championship, champions Donoughmore will be looking to defend their crown. They won their first Mid Cork JAFC title since 2011 when they defeated Aghinagh in a dramatic final replay in early November. Donoughmore rallied from six points down with three minutes left to win by a single point, 2-15 to 2-14, thanks to goals from Sean O’Hanlon (2) and a point by Gavin O’Sullivan. Like in the junior A hurling, both 2025 finalists will meet in the group stage.
There are three groups in this championship, with the top two qualifying from each. Group 1: Aghinagh, Donoughmore, Ballinora, Kilmurry. Group 2: Ballincollig, Grenagh, Dripsey, Clondrohid. Group 3: Éire Óg, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh, Kilmichael, Naomh Abán.
***
The Talbot Hotel Cork Junior B Hurling Championship is made up of three groups, top two to qualify from each. Group 1: Cloughduv, Grenagh, Gleann na Laoi, Éire Óg. Group 2: Ballinora, Laochra Óg, Donoughmore. Group 3: Inniscarra, Ballincollig, Blarney.
Ballincollig Credit Union Junior B Football Championship has four groups with the top two qualifying from each. Group 1: Macroom, Inniscarra, Canovee, Cill na Martra. Group 2: Grenagh, Aghabullogue, Blarney, Éire Óg. Group 3: Donoughmore, Gleann na Laoi, Kilmichael. Group 4: Aghinagh, Uibh Laoire, Ballincollig.
The Rochestown Park Hotel Junior C Football Championship is made up of 15 teams with the first round games being Clondrohid v Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh, Kilmichael v Macroom, Donoughmore v Éire Óg, Canovee v Aghabullogue, Ballincollig v Inniscarra, Naomh Abán v Kilmurry and Cill na Martra v Aghinagh. Ballinora gets a bye.
