IBANE Gaels have been given the green light to line out at U21 level again this season.

The amalgamation of Argideen Rangers and Barryroe had initially been told last November, after a recommendation from the Independent Teams Monitoring Committee, that they could not join forces at U21 level for 2026.

But after a successful appeal, Ibane will now be allowed to field football and hurling teams at U21 level this season

‘Ibane’s appeal to be allowed to field at U21 in 2026 was successful,’ a Cork GAA official confirmed to The Southern Star.

Ibane was the only Carbery team involved in the appeals process, and a final report on independent teams was presented at the latest meeting of the Cork County Committee.

‘The vast majority of appeals were upheld, bringing the total number of approvals from 84 percent to 91 percent,’ the county board confirmed.

This turnaround is a huge boost to Ibane Gaels who have been one of the standout teams at U21 level in Carbery in recent seasons. Last year, Ibane were crowned Carbery U21A football champions and went all the way to their first county U21 football final before Douglas dashed their dreams.

In November, several Carbery U21 amalgamations received the thumbs up from the Independent Teams Monitoring Committee, including Ahán Gaels (St Mary’s and Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas), Owen Gaels (Ballinascarthy and St Oliver Plunkett’s), though Tadhg na nGael (Clann na nGael and Tadhg MacCarthaigh) was not approved.

Meanwhile, at the latest county committee meeting, clubs and divisions were also reminded of the summer start date for the U21 championships. Following a request

from the floor, this was brought forward by less than a week, from July 1st to Friday, June 26th. Also, the Carrigdhoun divisional committee was advised that any plans to organise U21 championships in advance of this official June start date would be in breach of county and divisional regulations and would not be sanctioned.