Offaly’s opener set the tone as Group 2 and the intermediate and junior ties promise intriguing battles
The Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championships move into a busier phase in 2026 as 16 counties prepare to contest senior, intermediate and junior fixtures across the country. After Offaly delivered a dramatic opening-day win over Wexford, attention shifts to two key senior matches on Saturday and a full slate of intermediate and junior ties over the weekend.
These fixtures present early opportunities to shape momentum and reveal which squads are genuine contenders as the summer unfolds.
Senior championship: Group 2 takes centre stage
With the 2026 semi-finalists seeded in Group 1 and kicking off later, all eyes are on Group 2 this weekend.
Six teams will chase two quarter-final spots, and an immediate run of fixtures could define who earns early control of the section. The Banner County hosts Dublin in Ennis at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg on Saturday 23rd May at 2pm, while Kilkenny and Limerick meet later the same day.
Form guides and recent head-to-heads matter: Clare defeated Dublin 3-11 to 0-17 in the Centra Camogie League Division 1B final, a match in which Lorna McNamara scored an emphatic 2-6 to influence her county’s prospects this summer.
Clare v Dublin: a rematch with stakes
Clare enter this tie buoyed by spring form and a competitive Munster campaign that included extra-time with Waterford, underlining progress from last season. Dublin, however, will be keen to rebound from their Leinster final disappointment when a nine-point half-time lead against Wexford evaporated and the Model County prevailed in extra-time. Expect both teams to test defensive structures early as they seek to avoid slipping behind in a tight group.
Kilkenny v Limerick: Nore-side spotlight
Kilkenny bring a county-wide momentum after recent underage success — including an All-Ireland minor title and appearances in U23A and U16A finals — even though their senior campaign was rocked by a Leinster semi-final loss to Wexford. Limerick have shown inconsistency, combining narrow league near-misses with a heavy Munster semi-final defeat to Tipperary. The match at UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday 23rd May at 3:30pm will be broadcast live on the Camogie Association YouTube channel and represents a chance for both sides to set an early tone in Group 2.
Intermediate championship: intriguing matchups and clear favourites
The Glen Dimplex Intermediate Championship promises close contests and storylines worth watching. Fixtures scheduled for Sunday 24th May include Kerry v Down at Austin Stack Park (2pm), Derry v Antrim at Doire Trasna (3:30pm), and two Leinster pairings — Laois v Carlow at Laois Hire O’Moore Park and Meath v Westmeath at Donaghmore-Ashbourne, both at 3:30pm. Antrim arrive as strong contenders after an impressive Division 1A league run that featured a notable away victory over Cork, and many analysts see them as genuine challengers for the title.
Key narratives in intermediate groups
Derry were relegated from senior ranks in 2026, so their opening clash with Antrim will test how quickly they can recover and reassert themselves at intermediate level. Kerry, last year’s beaten finalists, have a familiar route to make an impact and will be motivated to go one better after reaching the 2026 decider. Meanwhile, Laois aim to build on their recent Premier Junior triumph and will be eager to claim results in an all-Leinster Group 2 that should be tightly contested throughout the summer.
Junior championship returns and broader weekend verdict
The Glen Dimplex Junior Championship returns with matches on Saturday, including Mayo v Louth at Tooreen (3:30pm) and Monaghan v Donegal at Clontibret (3:30pm). Mayo beat Monaghan earlier in the season in the Division 3B final, and the Connacht side will aim to add further silverware. A notable subplot is Monaghan returning with a senior team for the first time in 15 years, adding historical weight to their campaign and underscoring the county’s wider development plans.
Weekend summary and viewing information
In short, the senior spotlight rests on Group 2 where Clare-Dublin could emerge as one of the weekend’s standout encounters while Kilkenny are expected to respond strongly after their Leinster setback. At intermediate level, Antrim and Kerry will carry expectations, and the Leinster cluster in Group 2 looks especially competitive. The junior competition deepens the weekend’s programme and provides additional narratives to follow. Fans can watch Kilkenny v Limerick live on the Camogie Association YouTube channel at 3:30pm on Saturday, and tickets for fixtures remain available through official county and association outlets.
