Offaly GAA clubs learn championship fate
The draws for the Offaly GAA club football and hurling championships took place with the path to potential county championship success now defined for all teams in their respective competitions.
In the Tullamore Court Hotel Senior 'A' football championship holders Tullamore have been placed in Group 1 with Edenderry, Rhode, Ferbane and Shamrocks, while Group 2 features Bracknagh, Ballycommon, Clara, Clonbullogue and Durrow.
Tullamore will be hoping to complete a 'four-in-a-row' this year having defeated Ferbane in the 2025 decider. Tullamore then beat The Downs (Westmeath) in the Leinster senior club championship, before losing to eventual provincial champions Ballyboden St Enda's at the semi-final stage.
The Senior 'B' football championship features one group with six teams, Ballycumber, Ballinagar, Cappincur, Daingean, Tubber and Tullamore (second team).
Ballinagar reached the Senior 'B' county final in 2025 where they were defeated by Clara.
Nine teams, comprised of two groups, will compete for the Intermediate football championship.
Group 1 features Gracefield, Ferbane (second team), Edenderry, St Rynagh's and Kilcormac/Killoughey, while Group 2 consists of four teams, St Brigid's (Croghan), Raheen, Rhode (second team) and Walsh Island.
St Brigid's were Intermediate football championship finalists in 2025, but were defeated by Tullamore's second team.
The Junior 'A' football championship also features two groups with eight teams hoping for silverware success.
Group 1 features Shannonbridge, Kilclonfert, Doon and Shamrocks (second team), while Durrow (second team), Clara (second team), Erin Rovers and Clodiagh Gaels are the clubs in Group 2.
Clodiagh Gaels reached the 2025 Junior 'A' decider but were defeated by Rhode's second team.
Meanwhile, the draw for the Molloy Environmental Systems Senior 'A' hurling championships places reigning champions Kilcormac/Killoughey in Group 1 alongside Birr, Coolderry, St Rynagh's and Kinnitty.
Group 2 will also consist of five clubs, namely Shinrone, Belmont, Ballinamere, Tullamore and Lusmagh.
Kilcormac/Killoughey's 2025 Leinster championship campaign was shortlived when they were defeated by Kilkenny's Ballyhale Shamrocks at the quarter-final stage.
Six clubs will contest for the Senior 'B' hurling championship title. They are Carrig & Riverstown, Clara, Clodiagh Gaels, Drumcullen, Kilcormac/Killoughey (second team) and Seir Kiernan.
Carrig & Riverstown progressed to the Senior 'B' county final in 2025 where they were defeated by Lusmagh.
The Intermediate hurling championship will see eight clubs hoping to claim the honours in 2026. Group 1 features Birr (second team), Shamrocks, Shinrone (second team) and Ballinamere (second team), while Group 2 will see Coolderry, St Rynagh's (second team), Seir Kieran (second team) and Brosna Gaels all hoping to advance to the knockout phase of this year's competition.
Birr, who suffered defeat (after a replay) to Drumcullen in the 2025 Intermediate championship final, will be hoping to go one better this time around.
Ten teams will be hoping this is their year for Junior 'A' championship glory. The competition will initially consist of two groups in advance of the knockout stage of competition.
Group 1 features Tullamore (second team), Ballyskenach/Killavilla, Kilcormac/Killoughey (second team), St Ryangh's (third team) and Carrig & Riverstown (second team).
Clubs contesting Group 2 are Belmont, Edenderry, Crinkle, Shamrocks and Clodiagh Gaels.
Tullamore will be hoping to make winning amends in this year's final having lost to Brosna Gaels in the 2025 decider.