'A great opportunity': Munster GAA team up with major Irish retailer once again

Co-Op Superstores is delighted to renew its sponsorship of the 2026 Munster Hurling League.

The opening games will take place on Saturday, January 3 as Waterford travel to face All-Ireland champions Tipperary in Group A, while Clare will host neighbours Limerick in Group B.

Cork, the last county to win this competition back in 2023, will play their first game under new manager Ben O’Connor. The away game will take place in Limerick on Wednesday, January 7 at 7:35pm, with live coverage on TG4.

The 2026 Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final is scheduled for Saturday, January 17 and all games will be broadcast live via Clubber or TG4.

The official launch of the competition took place on Tuesday, December 16 at Co-Op Superstores in Raheen, Limerick. Players from the participating counties, including Diarmuid Ryan (Clare), Mark Coleman (Cork), Michael Leane (Kerry), Cathal O’Neill (Limerick), Willie Connors (Tipperary) and Paudie Fitzgerald (Waterford) were present. 

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Co-Op Superstores is the retail division of Dairygold Co-Operative Society Ltd. They operate 26 award-winning stores across Munster, along with an online retail website stocking an extensive range of farm, home and garden supplies, as well as fuel. 

Commenting on the sponsorship, Munster GAA Chairman Tim Murphy said: “After a two-year gap, the Munster Council is pleased to facilitate this pre-season competition for our counties as it provides participating teams with a great opportunity to prepare for the very competitive Allianz League starting in late January. With the Liam MacCarthy Cup residing in the province of Munster every year since 2018, each county needs to take every opportunity to find that bit extra – whether its finding new players, a change in tactics or simply finding that one percent improvement to turn defeat into victory. 

“While the atmosphere and electricity that makes the Munster Championship such a cherished competition is only igniting in January, have no doubt that the respective team managements will look to begin 2026 on a positive note and the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League is the first step on the ladder. We thank Co-Op Superstores for their continued support as competition sponsor, and we look forward to working with them in the weeks ahead,” he added. 

Speaking at the launch, Michael Harte, Dairygold CEO said: “We are extremely proud of our partnership with Munster GAA in what is a most exciting and competitive era for hurling in Munster. Like the GAA, Co-Op Superstores is committed to the communities that it serves. Supporting local initiatives and supporting talent development across the local club and the county is immensely important to Dairygold and our Members. 

“We understand the pride and passion from local families, players and county supporters alike, which is why we are very pleased to partner with Munster GAA as proud sponsors of this pre-season inter county competition again in 2026 and I know that many of our Members, employees and customers are looking forward to another great competition in the new year,” he concluded.