Kildare Junior Hurling Championship 2026

The UPMC Kildare Junior Hurling Championship is the county’s fiercely contested club competition for hurling sides outside the senior and intermediate grades - the level where local rivalries are at their most raw and parish pride runs highest. Running from summer through to late September 2026, this is club GAA at its most grassroots: players who work locally, supporters who grew up together, and clubs with long histories in the game. If you want to watch hurling with real atmosphere and none of the ticketing fuss of county or provincial fixtures, this is a good place to start.

What to expect

Eight clubs are competing across two groups in the 2026 championship, sponsored by UPMC. Group A brings together Athy, Round Towers, Kilcock, and Cappagh; Group B pits Ros Glas against Rathangan, Wolfe Tones, and Sarsfields. The group stage runs through the summer months, with teams playing each other in a round-robin format before the top sides progress to knockout rounds and ultimately a county final. Sarsfields of Newbridge is one of the most decorated hurling clubs in Kildare - they have won the county senior title more than two dozen times under various guises - while Round Towers (Kildare town), Athy, and Kilcock all carry strong county hurling traditions behind them.

Specific fixture dates, venues, and throw-in times are confirmed by Kildare GAA as the championship progresses, so check kildaregaa.ie before travelling to any individual match. Games are played at club grounds spread across the county rather than at a single central venue.

Getting there

County Kildare is one of the better-served counties for public transport from Dublin. Iarnród Éireann runs frequent trains from Dublin Heuston to Kildare town in roughly 25 to 30 minutes, with services throughout the day. Dublin Coach operates regular buses from Burgh Quay. For matches at club grounds in smaller towns like Rathangan or Cappagh, a car is the practical option as rural ground connections are limited. The M7 motorway runs through the county and most club venues are within easy reach once you are off it. Parking at GAA grounds is generally free and straightforward, though pitch-side spaces fill quickly around throw-in time - arrive 20 to 30 minutes early.

While you’re in Kildare

County Kildare has the Irish National Stud and the Japanese Gardens near Kildare town, and the Curragh racecourse is one of the most famous flat-racing tracks in Ireland. A championship game pairs well with a day that takes in more of the county. There is more to see in Kildare and across Co. Kildare.

Good to know

• Dates: Group stage from August 2026, running through to late September 2026
• Time: Various - individual fixture times confirmed by Kildare GAA closer to each match
• Price: Admission varies by fixture; small gate charges are typical at club grounds
• Fixtures and updates: kildaregaa.ie
• Groups: Group A - Athy, Round Towers, Kilcock, Cappagh; Group B - Ros Glas, Rathangan, Wolfe Tones, Sarsfields