The 2026 Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup gets underway on Saturday, January 3rd, with a full slate of fixtures throwing in at 1.30pm, with supporters eagerly anticipating an early-season glimpse of what may lie ahead in the year to come.
Heavy focus will be on Ratheniska, where Dublin, under new manager Ger Brennan, travel to face Laois in what promises to be a strong opening test. In the south-east, Tailteann Cup winners Kildare begin their campaign on the road against Wexford, while neighbours Carlow and Offaly meet at Éire Óg GAA with the home side hoping to continue to build under the promising signs shown last year.
Elsewhere, Wicklow welcome Meath to Echelon Park in Aughrim, where all will be keen to see if The Royal side can maintain last years standards. While Longford host Westmeath at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in what is sure to be a keenly contested midlands derby.
With tickets for all fixtures going on sale in the coming days, the Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup once again sets the stage for an intriguing start to the 2026 inter-county season.
| DIORALYTE O’BYRNE CUP 2026 – ROUND 1 | ||||||
| DATE | TIME | TEAMS | VENUE | |||
| Sat. | 03.01.2026 | 1.30pm | Laois | v | Dublin | Ratheniska |
| Sat. | 03.01.2026 | 1.30pm | Wexford | v | Kildare | Samaritans St. Patrick’s Park, Eniscorthy |
| Sat. | 03.01.2026 | 1.30pm | Carlow | v | Offaly | Eire Og. G.A.A., Carlow |
| Sat. | 03.01.2026 | 1.30pm | Wicklow | v | Meath | Echelon Park, Aughrim |
| Sat. | 03.01.2026 | 1.30pm | Longford | v | Westmeath | Glennon Bros., Pearse Park |
