Wexford Senior Football Championship - Round 1

The Wexford Senior Football Championship has been running since 1886 - one of the oldest county club competitions in Ireland - and Round 1 is where it all kicks off. Twelve of the county’s top clubs are split into two groups of six, and these early fixtures set the tone for the whole summer. If you follow Gaelic football and you haven’t seen a club championship match in Wexford, this is an easy way in: the atmosphere at county grounds is close, passionate, and nothing like the distant roar of a big stadium.

What to expect

Matches are spread across club grounds throughout County Wexford on this opening weekend, so the experience varies by venue - but that variety is part of the appeal. You might be at a tight rural pitch with a couple of hundred people on the bank, or at a larger club facility with proper stands. The standard is genuine senior county level, with players who know each other and the local rivalry to go with it.

The current senior championship is sponsored by Dominic Smith Electrical and runs in a group format: two groups of six, with the top four from each advancing to the quarter-finals. The fifth-placed team exits, and the sixth goes into a relegation playoff, which keeps the pressure on from the very first round. Recent years have been dominated by Castletown Liam Mellows, who won back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, but clubs like Shelmaliers, Sarsfields, Glynn-Barntown, and HWH Bunclody all push hard. There are no walkovers in early rounds.

Check wexfordgaa.ie close to the date for the specific fixture list and venues - the full schedule is published there and updated when changes occur.

Getting there

County Wexford is well connected by road from Dublin via the M11/N11 (about 90 minutes to Wexford town), and from Waterford via the N25. Irish Rail runs a regular service on the Dublin Heuston to Rosslare Europort line with stops at Wexford, Enniscorthy, and Gorey, covering most of the county’s main towns. For club grounds outside the main towns, a car is the most practical option - most rural pitches have on-site or roadside parking. Allow extra time if travelling to an unfamiliar venue.

While you’re in Wexford

Wexford town itself is worth a few hours before or after - the long quayside, the medieval streetscape, and the heritage sites are all easy to take in on foot. There is more to see in Wexford and across Co. Wexford.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday 19 July 2026
• Time: Various (check wexfordgaa.ie for specific fixture times)
• Price: Admission charged at the gate - typically a few euro at club grounds; amount varies by venue
• Fixtures and venues: Published at wexfordgaa.ie
• Organiser: Wexford GAA