| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Province | Munster |
| Date | 2–17 January 2026 |
| Teams | 6 |
| Defending champions | Cork |
| Winners | |
| Champions | Cork (12th win) |
| Manager | John Cleary |
| Captain | Daniel O'Mahony |
| Runners-up | |
| Runners-up | Kerry |
| Manager | Jack O'Connor |
| Captain | Tadhg Morley |
| Other | |
| Matches played | 7 |
The 2026 McGrath Cup is an inter-county Gaelic football competition in the province of Munster, played by all six county teams in January 2026.[1][2]
Kerry player Joe O'Connor was opposed to the McGrath Cup taking place.[3] Munster GAA ignored this and the fixtures were announced in November 2025, with the competition commencing on 2 January.[4] Cork were the winners, defeating Kerry in Fitzgerald Stadium for the first time in 30 years.[5][6]
Format
The teams are drawn into two groups of three teams. Each team plays the other teams in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw. The two group winners play in the final.
Results
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kerry |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 15 | +31 | 4 | Advance to final |
| 2 |  Clare |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 27 | +6 | 2 | |
| 3 |  Waterford |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 49 | −37 | 0 |
Source: Munster GAA
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Cork |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 30 | +14 | 2 | Advance to final |
| 2 |  Limerick |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 30 | −6 | 2 | |
| 3 |  Tipperary |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 33 | −8 | 2 |
Source: Munster GAA
Final
References
- Fogarty, John (October 9, 2025). "All six Munster counties in favour of return of pre-season competitions". Irish Examiner.
- Donnelly, Ed (December 6, 2025). "2026 McGrath Cup Football Final - Munster GAA".
- Brady, Seamus (11 September 2025). "Kerry's Joe O'Connor not keen on return of McGrath Cup in 2026". sportsjoe.ie.
- "Munster Senior Hurling League and McGrath Cup fixtures announced". Hogan Stand. 7 November 2025.
- "Jones completes Rebels comeback in McGrath Cup final". rte.ie. January 17, 2026.
- "Cork claim first victory in Fitzgerald Stadium in 30 years with come-from-behind McGrath Cup triumph". www.independent.ie. January 17, 2026.