2026 Tailteann Cup draw

THE draw for this season’s Tailteann Cup was made on Monday.

Despite knocking Donegal out of Ulster on Sunday, Down are not guaranteed Sam Maguire football.

One from Down, Westmeath and Cavan will be destined for the 16th spot in the Tailteann Cup.

The race for Sam explained

Fermanagh face a home game against Longford with Antrim making the journey to Carlow.

Here are the pairings.

Round 1- May 9/10 or May 16/17
Fermanagh v Longford
Laois v Wicklow
Clare v Offaly
Carlow v Antrim
Wexford v Limerick
Team 16 v Leitrim
Sligo v Tipperary
Waterford v London

The ’16th team’ will be, depending on results, will either be Westmeath, Down or Cavan.

*Any team involved in a Provincial Championship fixture on the weekend of May 2/3 will play their game on the weekend of May 16/17.

Round 2A – May 24/25
The eight winners in Round One shall be drawn to play against each other, with the first team to play at home.

Round 2B – May 23/24
The eight Losers in Round One shall be drawn to play against each other, with the first team drawn having home advantage.

Round 3 – June 6/7
The four losing teams from Round 2A will be drawn to play the four winning teams from Round 2B
A draw will determine the home venue for each pairing.
The draw will be subject to the avoidance of repeat pairings from Round One where possible.

Preliminary quarter-final – June 6/7
A Round 2A winner will be drawn to play New York.
This will be a home venue for the Round 2A winner – exception: if London is the Round 2A winner, in which case, the game will be played at a neutral venue in Ireland.

Quarter-finals – June 13/14

Semi-finals – June 20/21

Final – Saturday, July 11