Kildare Intermediate Hurling Championship 2026

Club hurling in Kildare carries real weight come summer, and the UPMC Intermediate Championship is where six ambitious clubs go head to head for a shot at promotion to Senior B. The 2026 competition runs from August through to the end of September, with the final traditionally staged at Cedral St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge. If you want to watch competitive hurling without the crowds and prices of the bigger intercounty days, this is the kind of fixture that delivers exactly that.

What to expect

Six clubs contest the 2026 UPMC Intermediate Hurling Championship: Broadford, St Laurence’s, Naas 2, Moorefield, Leixlip, and Maynooth 2. The format is a straightforward round-robin - all six play each other, so every side is guaranteed five outings before the knockout rounds begin. The top four advance to semi-finals, with the final following shortly after.

Naas have been the dominant force in this grade, having won the championship seven times since it was established in 2013, and they take the field again through their second team. Maynooth 2 are three-time champions. Broadford and Leixlip bring the grassroots energy that makes intermediate club competitions worth watching - smaller panels, tight communities, and players who train around work and family. Draws were confirmed by Kildare GAA on 5 June 2026; specific fixture dates, venues, and throw-in times will be announced by Kildare GAA ahead of each round. Check kildaregaa.ie for the latest schedule.

Getting there

Matches are played at club grounds across County Kildare, with the final at St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge. Newbridge is on the main Dublin to Limerick road (N7/M7) and well served by Irish Rail on the Dublin Heuston to Limerick/Waterford line - the journey from Heuston takes around 40 minutes. For club grounds in smaller towns like Broadford or Leixlip, a car is the most practical option. Most GAA pitches have on-site or roadside parking and admission is paid at the gate.

While you’re in Kildare

Championship days are a good excuse to explore the county beyond the pitch. The Japanese Gardens, the National Stud, and the Curragh racecourse are all within a short drive of the main towns. There is more to see in Kildare and across Co. Kildare.

Good to know

• Dates: August to September 2026 (draws confirmed 5 June 2026; individual fixture dates to follow)
• Price: Admission varies by venue - paid at the gate; typically a few euro entry for club championship games
• Tickets / fixtures: Check kildaregaa.ie for confirmed dates, venues and throw-in times
• Teams: Broadford, St Laurence’s, Naas 2, Moorefield, Leixlip, Maynooth 2