Kildare's O'Byrne Cup fixtures confirmed with key rule changes for 2026 competition
Kildare will get their 2026 O'Byrne Cup campaign underway against Wexford on January 3 but there are also some crucial changes to the competition for next year
Kildare will get their 2026 O'Byrne Cup campaign underway against Wexford on January 3 but there are also some changes to the competition for next year (listed below the fixtures).
O’Byrne Cup
Round 1 - Saturday, January 3
- Laois v Dublin
- Wexford v Kildare
- Carlow v Offaly
- Wicklow v Meath
- Longford v Westmeath
- Louth
Quarter-Final - Wednesday, January 7
- (3) Winners CW/OY v Winners WW/MH (4)
- (5) Winners LD/WH v Louth
Semi-Finals - Saturday, January 10
- (2)Winners WX/KE v Winners LS/Dublin (1)
- Winners 8. v Winners 7.
Final
- 9 v 10 – {TG4}
O’Byrne Shield
- (3) Loser CW/OY v Losers WX/KE (2)
Semi-Finals - Saturday, January 10
- Winners 12 v Losers Laois/Dublin (1)
- (4) Losers WH/MH v Losers LD/WH (5)
Final - Friday, January 16
- Winners 13 v Winners 14
2026 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)