2026 Kildare Senior Football Championship
 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| County | Kildare |
| Province | Leinster |
| Year | 2026 |
| Trophy | Dermot Bourke Cup |
| Sponsor | Joe Mallon Motors |
| Date | 21 August 2026 - 1 November 2026 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Defending champions |  Athy |
| Other | |
| Matches played | 41 |
| Website | Kildare GAA |
The 2026 Kildare Senior Football Championship is the 133rd edition of the Kildare GAA's premier club Gaelic football tournament for senior graded teams in County Kildare, Ireland. The tournament consists of 16 teams with the winner going on to represent Kildare in the Leinster Senior Club Football Championship. The championship will begin with a group stage sorted by an open draw (excluding 4 teams) followed by a knockout stage.
Athy are the defending champions this year after defeating Naas to win their 8th championship and their first since 2020.[1]
Sallins returned to the senior grade for the first time since 2003 after defeating St Laurence's in the 2025 Kildare Intermediate Football Championship final.[2] This was at the cost of Confey, who were defeated by Allenwood in the Relegation Play-off to be relegated to the Kildare I.F.C for the first time since 2011.[3]
Championship structure
Following the meeting of the Kildare GAA County Board on Tuesday 3 February, a proposal to revamp the senior, intermediate and junior football championships were passed unanimously.
The following changes were made:[4]
- The preliminary quarter-finals will be discontinued and the four semi-finalists from the previous year's championship will be seeded.
- There will be no preliminary round, instead heading straight into the Round Robin Group Stage. The Group Stage will consist of four groups (Group A, B, C & D), and each of these groups will consist of 4 teams. The four semi-finalists from the last year's championship will be seeded into each of the 4 groups, will the other 12 teams will be open draw into the groups.
- The 1st and 2nd placed teams progress into the Quarter-finals. 1st placed teams will be drawn randomly against 2nd placed teams with no repeat pairings from the group stage. The winners of these quarter-finals will progress to the semi-finals with no repeat pairings, and the winners will progress to the final.
- The 3rd and 4th placed teams progress to the "B" Quarter-finals. 3rd placed teams will be drawn randomly against 4th placed teams with no repeat parings from the group stage. The winners of the "B" quarter-finals progress to the "B" semi-finals with the same permutations as with the "B" quarter-finals. The winner progress to the "B" final.
- The losers of the "B" quarter-finals will progress to the Relegation Semi-finals, also with no repeat pairings. The losers of the relegation semi-finals will contest a relegation final to secure their senior status.
Team Changes
The following teams have changed division since the 2025 championship season:
Participating teams
The 16 teams that will participate in the 2026 Kildare S.F.C are:
| Club | Location | Manager | Pre C'ship Odds | 2025 Championship Position | In championship since | Championship Titles | Last Championship Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Allenwood |
Allenwood | Mark Murnaghan | 200/1 | Relegation Finalist | 2024 | 1 | 2004 |
| Athy |
Athy | Seán Gannon | 4/1 | Champions | 1975 | 8 | 2025 |
 Caragh |
Prosperous | Michael Browne | 50/1 | Quarter-Finalist | 2025 | 3 | 1926 |
 Carbury |
Carbury | Andrew Dermody | 150/1 | Non-Qualifier | 1931 | 11 | 1985 |
 Celbridge |
Celbridge | Alan Costello | 9/2 | Semi-Finalist | 2003 | 1 | 2008 |
| Clane |
Clane | Seán Mealiffe | 20/1 | Quarter-Finalist | 1950 | 17 | 1997 |
 Clogherinkoe |
Clogherinkoe | Jarlath Gilroy | 150/1 | Non-Qualifier | 2021 | 0 | — |
| Eadestown |
Eadestown | Emmet Bolton | 100/1 | Preliminary Quarter-Finalist | 2015 | 1 | 1970 |
 Johnstownbridge |
Johnstownbridge | Aidan Dunne | 50/1 | Quarter-Finalist | 2014 | 3 | 1989 |
 Kilcock |
Kilcock | Declan Gibbons | 200/1 | Non-Qualifier | 2022 | 5 | 1958 |
 Maynooth |
Maynooth | Ross Glavin | 20/1 | Preliminary Quarter-Finalist | 2010 | 2 | 1913 |
 Moorefield |
Newbridge | Frank Hanniffy | 20/1 | Quarter-Finalist | 1940 | 10 | 2018 |
| Naas |
Naas | Jimmy Higgins | Evens | Runners-Up | 2005 | 12 | 2024 |
 Sallins |
Sallins | Johnny McNulty | 16/1 | 2025 I.F.C Champions | 2026 | 0 | — |
| Sarsfields |
Newbridge | Vinny Walsh | 3/1 | Semi-Finalist | Never Relegated | 25 | 2019 |
| Raheens |
Caragh | Anthony Rainbow | 33/1 | Non-Qualifier | 2018 | 10 | 1981 |
Group Stage
As last year's semi-finalists were Celbridge, Sarsfields, Athy and Naas, those four teams were seeded into Group A, B. C and D respectively. The draw for the group stage was conducted on 15 May 2026,[5] and the fixtures for those group stage games were released on 10 June 2026.[6]
Group A
Advance to Quarter-Finals Advance to 'B' Championship
| Team | Matches | Score | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | Diff | ||
| Celbridge |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 14 | +26 | 2 |
| Clane |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 1 |
| Johnstownbridge |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 1 |
| Allenwood |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 40 | -26 | 0 |
Round 1
| 21 August 2026 Round 1 | Clane |
2-12 (18) – (18) 1-15 | Johnstownbridge |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:00 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Manguard Park | ||||
|
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Round 2
| 6 September 2026 Round 2 | Celbridge |
v | Johnstownbridge |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Manguard Park | ||||
|
|
Round 3
| 18 September 2026 Round 3 | Allenwood |
v | Johnstownbridge |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:00 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Manguard Park | ||||
|
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Group B
Advance to Quarter-Finals Advance to 'B' Championship
| Team | Matches | Score | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | Diff | ||
| Maynooth |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 10 | +14 | 2 |
| Sarsfields |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 15 | +9 | 2 |
| Carbury |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 0 |
| Caragh |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 24 | -14 | 0 |
Round 1
| 22 August 2026 Round 1 | Carbury |
1-12 (15) – (24) 1-21 | Sarsfields |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Manguard Park | ||||
|
|
Round 2
| 4 September 2026 Round 2 | Caragh |
v | Sarsfields |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Cedral St Conleth's | ||||
|
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Round 3
| 19 September 2026 Round 3 | Maynooth |
v | Sarsfields |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Cedral St Conleth's | ||||
|
|
Group C
Advance to Quarter-Finals Advance to 'B' Championship
| Team | Matches | Score | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | Diff | ||
| Athy |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 10 | +10 | 2 |
| Raheens |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 2 |
| Kilcock |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 20 | -10 | 0 |
| Sallins |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 17 | -2 | 0 |
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Group D
Advance to Quarter-Finals Advance to 'B' Championship
| Team | Matches | Score | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | Diff | ||
| Naas |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 16 | +2 | 2 |
| Eadestown |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 20 | +1 | 2 |
| Clogherinkoe |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 0 |
| Moorefield |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 18 | -2 | 0 |
Round 1
| 21 August 2026 Round 1 | Moorefield |
1-13 (16) – (18) 0-18 | Naas |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Cedral St Conleth's | ||||
|
|
| 22 August 2026 Round 1 | Clogherinkoe |
1-17 (20) – (21) 3-12 | Eadestown |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:30 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Manguard Park | ||||
|
|
Round 2
| 5 September 2026 Round 2 | Clogherinkoe |
v | Moorefield |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Manguard Park | ||||
|
|
Round 3
| 19 September 2026 Round 3 | Eadestown |
v | Moorefield |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:45 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Cedral St Conleth's | ||||
|
|
| 19 September 2026 Round 3 | Clogherinkoe |
v | Naas |
Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:45 IST (UTC+1) | Venue: Manguard Park | ||||
|
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Knock-out Stage
"B" Championship
"B" Quarter-Finals
The 3rd and 4th placed teams from the group stage are placed into the "B" quarter-finals where they are drawn randomly against one another (no repeat pairings). The winners progress to the "B" semi-finals while the losers progress to the Relegation Semi-finals.
| "B" Quarter-Final 1 | 3rd Placed Team | v | 4th Placed Team | ||
|
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| "B" Quarter-Final 2 | 3rd Placed Team | v | 4th Placed Team | ||
|
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| "B" Quarter-Final 3 | 3rd Placed Team | v | 4th Placed Team | ||
|
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| "B" Quarter-Final 4 | 3rd Placed Team | v | 4th Placed Team | ||
|
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"B" Semi-Finals
The "B" quarter-final winners are drawn against each other with no repeat pairings allowed. The winners progress to the "B" final.
| "B" Semi-Final 1 | "B" Quarter-Final Winner | v | "B" Quarter-Final Winner | ||
|
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| "B" Semi-Final 2 | "B" Quarter-Final Winner | v | "B" Quarter-Final Winner | ||
|
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"B" Final
| "B" Final | "B" Semi-Final Winner | v | "B" Semi-Final Winner | ||
|
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Relegation Series
Relegation Semi-Finals
The losers of the "B" quarter-finals are drawn against each other with no repeat pairings allowed. The losers progress to the relegation final where the two teams will contest against one another for the right to stay within the S.F.C.
| Relegation Semi-Final 1 | "B" Quarter-Final Loser | v | "B" Quarter-Final Loser | ||
|
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| Relegation Semi-Final 2 | "B" Quarter-Final Loser | v | "B" Quarter-Final Loser | ||
|
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Relegation Final
| Relegation Final | Relegation Semi-Final Loser | v | Relegation Semi-Final Loser | ||
|
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Quarter-Finals
The 1st and 2nd placed teams are placed into the quarter-finals where they are drawn randomly against each other (no repeat pairings). The winners progress to the semi finals.
| 3/4 October 2026 Quarter-Final 1 | 1st Placed Team | v | 2nd Placed Team | ||
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| 3/4 October 2026 Quarter-Final 2 | 1st Placed Team | v | 2nd Placed Team | ||
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| 3/4 October 2026 Quarter-Final 3 | 1st Placed Team | v | 2nd Placed Team | ||
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| 3/4 October 2026 Quarter-Final 4 | 1st Placed Team | v | 2nd Placed Team | ||
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Semi-Finals
The quarter-final winners progress to the semi-finals where they are drawn against each other randomly (no repeat pairings). The winners progress to the final.
| 17/18 October 2026 Semi-Final 1 | Quarter-Final Winner | v | Quarter-Final Winner | ||
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| 17/18 October 2026 Semi-Final 2 | Quarter-Final Winner | v | Quarter-Final Winner | ||
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Final
| 1 November 2026 Final | Semi-Final Winner | v | Semi-Final Winner | Newbridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue: Cedral St Conleth's | |||||
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References
- ↑ Gaa.ie (2025-10-19). "Kildare SFC Final: Athy dethrone Naas". www.gaa.ie. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ↑ "Dominant Sallins crowned Kildare Intermediate Football Champions". Kildare Live. 2025-10-18. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ↑ "Doyle rescues Allenwood as they see off Confey to save their Senior status - News - Kildare Nationalist". kildare-nationalist.ie. 2025-09-21. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ↑ "Major Kildare club championship changes in football and hurling approved". Kildare Now. 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ↑ "2026 Kildare Football Championship draws made - News - Kildare Nationalist". kildare-nationalist.ie. 2026-05-16. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ↑ "Kildare GAA Football Championship fixtures confirmed - News - Kildare Nationalist". kildare-nationalist.ie. 2026-06-10. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
