Kildare begin Walsh Cup against Galway with 2026 competition rule changes
The Kildare hurlers will begin their 2026 Walsh Cup campaign against Galway with a reduced clock to 60 minutes and other rule changes in place
The Kildare hurlers will begin their 2026 Walsh Cup campaign against Galway with a reduced clock to 60 minutes and other rule changes in place, see full list below the format.
Walsh Cup
Round 1 - Sunday, January 4
- Kildare v Galway
- Offaly v Antrim
- Westmeath v Kilkenny
- Laois v Wexford
- Carlow v Dublin
Quarter-Final - Thursday, January 8
- Winners LS/WX v Winners CW/DB
Semi-Finals - Sunday, January 11
- Winners 6 v Winners Westmeath/Kilkenny
- Winners Kildare/Galway v Winners Offaly/Antrim
Final - Sunday, January 18
- 7 v 8
Walsh Shield
Quarter-Final - Thursday, January 8
- Loser LS/WX v Losers CW/DB
Semi-Finals - Sunday, January 11
- Winners 10 v Losers Westmeath/Kilkenny
- Losers Kildare/Galway v Losers Offaly/Antrim
Final - Sunday, January 18
- Winners 11 v Winners 12
Regulations
- Games of 60 Minutes duration (instead of 70).
- If a game is level at the end of Normal Time “straight” to penalties ❖ First named team - Home Venue(s) including Final.
- Other than Final if a game is not played as per schedule and cannot be played prior to the next Round, Toss of Coin to decide which Team advances.
- Match Day Panel of 26.
- Unlimited Substitutions with a Maximum of 6 during Second Half. When a player is substituted he cannot take any further part in the game except Penalty Shoot Out or unless as a Blood or Head Injury Sub.
- There will be an additional regulation Re: Third Level. (Ard Comhairle Meeting 29.11.25)