THE 2026 SuperValu West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League Challenge Cups promise plenty of excitement across the U14, U15 and U16 age grades.
Drinagh Rangers completed a U16 Schoolgirls Premier League and cup double in 2025 and will be among the favourites to retain their SuperValu U16 Schoolgirls Challenge Cup title. They begin their defence with a repeat of last season’s final, hosting Clonakilty AFC in the competition’s sole quarter-final. The winners will face Castlelack in the semi-finals. Sullane and Bay Rovers meet in the other U16 Schoolgirls Challenge Cup semi-final in Ballyvourney.
The introduction of a new U15 schoolgirls age grade is a welcome addition to the league’s expanding structure. Four clubs will contest the inaugural competition, beginning with the semi-finals. Lyre Rovers travel to Ballyvackey for a local derby against Clonakilty AFC, while Dunmanway Town host Beara United at The Meadows in the other last-four tie.
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As with the schoolboys competitions, the SuperValu Schoolgirls Shields will offer teams eliminated from the main cups a second opportunity to compete for silverware.
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The SuperValu U14 Schoolboys Challenge Cup is traditionally one of the most competitive competitions in the WCSSL calendar, and 2026 looks no different.
Defending champions Lyre Rovers travel to Skibbereen Dynamos in the round of 16, while Skibb Celtic host last year’s U14 Shield winners Dunmanway Town at Ollie McCarthy Park. Elsewhere, Togher Celtic welcome Sullane, Ardfield travel to Bay Rovers, Riverside Athletic host Drinagh Rangers, and Beara United face Clonakilty AFC Greens.
Last season’s U14 Premier Division winners Castlelack travel to Schull to take on Bunratty United, while Clonakilty AFC Reds have received a bye into the quarter-finals.
Castlelack Celtic dominated the U15 grade in 2025, completing a league and cup double, and begin the defence of their Challenge Cup title at home to Skibbereen Dynamos. Bay Rovers, last year’s U15 Shield winners, host Lyre Rovers in Kealkill, while Togher Celtic face Ardfield and Drinagh Rangers take on Clonakilty AFC in the remaining round-of-16 ties.
Skibbereen, Riverside Athletic, Dunmanway Town and Beara United have all received byes into the quarter-finals, where Beara United will travel to Dunmanway.
In the U16 Schoolboys Challenge Cup, Bay Rovers have been handed a bye into the semi-finals, where they will meet the winners of Clonakilty AFC and holders Castlelack. The winners of Togher Celtic versus Bunratty United will have home advantage in the last four against either Drinagh Rangers or Kilmichael Rovers.
