Defending their crown

Shaun Casey looks at the hurling teams putting their titles on the line in the club championships

Antrim: St John’s

THE Johnnies got their hands on the Volunteer Cup for the first time since 1973 last season, with former player Gerard Cunningham leading his club to glory. They edged out Loughgiel in the final, with goals from Oisin McManus and Donal Carson proving crucial. St John’s title defence has been going to plan so far in 2026, with a huge top of the table clash with last year’s final opponents Loughgiel coming up this weekend, with the winner booking their place in the semi-finals.

Armagh: Middletown

THEY have been the team to beat in the Orchard County for almost a decade now and that doesn’t look to be changing any time soon. They are chasing what will be a history-marking eighth county title in a row and look odds on to deliver that target. They won all five of their group games to top the table and face Cuchulainns in the semi-final. Middletown have beaten Keady in the last five consecutive finals, and the two great rivals look set to lock horns again.

Cavan: Cootehill

THE Cavan Hurling Championship has already been wrapped up with Cootehill getting their hands on the trophy again this season. They have now won five of the last six county titles, losing out to East Cavan Gaels in 2024, but have got their revenge in the past two deciders. They will be hoping to make their mark in the Ulster Junior Championship campaign later this season.

Derry: Sleacht Néill

NOT only are Sleacht Néill the best team in Derry, but they are also the best hurling side in Ulster as well. They have won every single county title since 2013 and head into this year’s campaign in search of a fourth consecutive Ulster Club triumph. With another decider coming up in the Oakleaf County, their eyes will be firmly set on getting their hands on the Ulster crown once again and going at least one step further on the national stage.

Donegal: Setanta

DEFENDING champions Setanta have already qualified for the decider, making it their tenth successive appearance in the championship final. Last year they saw off St Eunan’s to win the title, their third in four seasons and St Eunan’s are once again their opponents as they look to earn back-to-back successes. Setanta also competed in the Ulster Senior Championship after last year’s glory but were beaten in the semi-final by Antrim champions St John’s.

Down: Portaferry

PORTAFERRY are aiming to contest a 10th county final in a row this season and they look well on course to be there. Not only that, but the drive for five is well and truly alive in the Mourne County, and it’s a feat that Portaferry have never achieved before. Their big hurdle has been in the Ulster Club Championship, where they have competed in finals and semi-finals over the last couple of years, but getting over the line and winning a provincial title for the first time since 2014 has so far eluded them.

Fermanagh: Lisbellaw

THEY came so close to ending their long wait for an Ulster Intermediate title last season when they reached the final, but were undone in the end by Éire Óg, Carrickmore. The Fermanagh men are regulars at the business end of the provincial campaign. They haven’t got across the line since 2012 and that will once again be their goal for 2026 when that competition comes around in the not-too-distant future.

Monaghan: Castleblayney

OUTSIDE the odd blip here and there, Castleblayney have more or less been an unbeatable force in the Farney County since the turn of the millennium. Only four times since 1999 have the ‘Blayney boys not collected the county title (2003, ’10, ’16, ’23) and they have already booked their place in the final once again. It’s a repeat of last year’s decider, with Truagh eyeing up the throne, but Blayney will be runaway favourites to retain their title.

Tyrone: Éire Óg

AFTER years of trying to get their hands on an Ulster title, the Carrickmore side finally achieved that success in 2025. They lost out in 2010, 2015 and 2023, but the wait was worth it when it came to an end last season. Now they will end into the next campaign with the winners target on their back and dealing with that will be the big issue for Carrickmore.