Kildare's O'Byrne Cup fixtures confirmed with key rule changes for 2026 competition

Kildare will get their 2026 O'Byrne Cup campaign underway against Wexford on January 3 but there are also some changes to the competition for next year (listed below the fixtures).

O’Byrne Cup  

Round 1  - Saturday, January 3

1. Laois v Dublin 
2. Wexford v Kildare 
3. Carlow v Offaly 
4. Wicklow v Meath 
5. Longford v Westmeath 
6. Louth 

Quarter-Final - Wednesday, January 7

7. (3) Winners CW/OY v Winners WW/MH (4) 
8. (5) Winners LD/WH v Louth 

Semi-Finals - Saturday, January 10

9. (2)Winners WX/KE v Winners LS/Dublin (1) 
10. Winners 8. v Winners 7. 

Final 

11. 9 v 10 – {TG4} 

O’Byrne Shield 

Quarter-Final - Wednesday, January 7

12. (3) Loser CW/OY v Losers WX/KE (2) 

Semi-Finals - Saturday, January 10

13. Winners 12 v Losers Laois/Dublin (1) 
14. (4) Losers WH/MH v Losers LD/WH (5) 

Final - Friday, January 16

15. Winners 13 v Winners 14

2026 Regulations

-  Games of 60 Minutes duration (instead of 70). 

- If a game is level at the end of Normal Time “straight” to penalties ❖ First named team - Home Venue(s) including Final. 

- Other than Final if a game is not played as per schedule and cannot be played  prior to the next Round, Toss of Coin to decide which Team advances. 

-  Match Day Panel of 26. 

- Unlimited Substitutions with a Maximum of 6 during Second Half. When a  player is substituted he cannot take any further part in the game except  Penalty Shoot Out or unless as a Blood or Head Injury Sub. 

-  There will be an additional regulation Re: Third Level. (Ard Comhairle  Meeting 29.11.25)

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