Shaun Casey takes a look at the forthcoming club football championships across the province

Antrim

Dunloy ended an 89-year wait for a senior championship title, and they won’t give it up without a fight. The Antrim format will once again see four teams drawn into four groups, similar to the old All-Ireland Championship structure, the only difference being that the top two advance to the quarter-finals, while the bottom two enter relegation playoffs. Cargin remain one of the big hitters, while Portglenone and Aghagallon have reached the decider in recent years.

Starting date: The first game takes place on Friday 7 August between St Gall’s and Moneyglass.

Armagh

Madden became the fifth different team in the last decade to capture the Gerry Fagan Cup title, winning the crown for the first time in their history. Having just won the league, they are the favourites to go back-to-back. Killeavy are chasing their first championship title while Clann Eireann, Crossmaglen, last year’s beaten finalists Cullyhanna, and Clan na Gael will all fancy their chances. The format remains the same as the last few seasons, with four groups of four. The group winners go to the last eight, second and third place plays off for a quarter-final spot, while bottom drops out of the competition.

Starting date: The weekend of August 14-16, but the draw doesn’t take place until after the league.

Cavan

The Cavan Championship starts with a bang as champions Kingscourt take on Ramor. Those two teams will have their eyes set on grabbing the Oliver Plunkett Cup when all is said and done. Gowna will want to go one step further than last year while Crosserlough are another top contender. The structure will once again be one big group of 12 teams, who play four matches against random opponents. The top eight go into the quarter-finals while the bottom four drop out.

Starting date: Everything gets underway on Thursday 6 August with Kingscourt meeting Ramor.

Derry

The Derry SFC has the exact same structure as the new All-Ireland series, with the winners from round one locking horns in round 2 and the losers doing likewise. For the past two seasons, Newbridge, Glen, Magherafelt and Sleacht Néill have contested the semi-finals, so the other teams will be looking to break into that top-four bracket. Newbridge are the defending holders of the John McLaughlin Cup, and they begin their title defence against Kilrea while Sleacht Néill vs Magherafelt is the tie of the opening round.

Starting date: The first round of fixtures are on the weekend of August 28-30.

Donegal

Like the Cavan Championship, Donegal have one large group of all competing teams, with each side playing four games against unseeded opponents. The top eight go through to the quarters while the bottom four teams exit the competition. Naomh Conaill are the champs and have won five crowns inside the last seven years. St Eunan’s are the only team to have loosened their stranglehold with triumphs in 2021 and 2024. The pair will once again be two of the front-runners for the ultimate prize while league champions Four Masters, and last year’s beaten finalists Gaoth Dobhair will look to have a big say as well.

Starting date: Everything gets underway on Saturday 8 August.

Down

Down have had the same format that has worked well for them over the last number of years and is identical to this season’s All-Ireland structure. The winners of round one playoff while the losers of round one meet etc. Kingpins Kilcoo are still the team to beat and are chasing an eighth consecutive county title. Last year’s Ulster finalists are the runaway favourites to do just that, although Clonduff pushed them all the way in the 2025 semi-final and will want to go one further this time around. Carryduff have been knocking on the door in recent years, as have Burren, but it’s getting over the line against the Magpies that is the problem.

Starting date: The opening round takes place on Thursday, August 20 between Glenn and Byransford.

Fermanagh

Erne Gaels have played six championship finals in the last four years. The two most recent finals, which they both won, were both decided in replays. They’re going for their first-ever three-in-a-row and this season is the same round robin structure. Derrygonnelly and Enniskillen Gaels, the last two winners and the last two beaten finalists, won’t be far away while Ederney and Teemore Shamrocks reached the semis last year.

Starting date: The group stages kick off on the weekend of September 4-6.

Monaghan

For the first time since 1989, Scotstown go into the county championship as Ulster champions. They have won three Mick Duffy Cups on the bounce and 10 in the last 13 seasons. Inniskeen have reached two of the last three deciders, while Clontibret and Magheracloone are others keen to challenge their dominance. The teams are again broken into two groups of five, with the top team qualifying for the final four, while two and three reach the quarters. The bottom team teams enter the relegation playoffs to secure their senior status.

Starting date: The first round of fixtures are on the weekend of 8-9 August.

Tyrone

The most wide-open and entertaining championship in the country. The knockout style brings such an edge and, Loughmacrory are the latest to attempt back-to-back titles, a feat which hasn’t been achieved since 2005. They begin their title defence against Dungannon, who last held the crown back in 2020. Trillick have contested three county finals in a row, but have lost the last two, while Errigal Ciaran remain a strong contender for the O’Neill Cup. As usual, the Tyrone Championship will be truly unpredictable, and all teams will fancy their chances of going all the way.

Starting date: The Tyrone SFC gets up and running on the first weekend of September