Irish News in Sport Blog January 2026

GAA Club Championships 

All Ireland Junior Hurling Final 

Mark Hickey landed a dramatic late free to seal a 1-point victory for Kilbrittain over Easkey as the Cork club claimed their first-ever All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling title. In a back-and-forth contest that looked destined for extra time, Hickey landed a pressure free to clinch the title for the men from Cork.  

All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Final 

Upperchurch-Drombane claimed the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship with a dramatic 4-20 to 2-24 extra-time win over Tooreen. The Mayo champions Tooreen battled hard and almost had their hands on the cup, when Gavin Ryan stepped up with a free late in injury time to force extra time. The Tipperary champions found another gear scoring 3 goals in extra time to seal their All-Ireland victory. 

All Ireland Junior Football Final 

Ballymacelligott produced a dominant second-half display to defeat Clogher Éire Óg and claim the AIB All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship. Trailing by two points at the break, the Kerry champions turned on the style, outscoring Clogher 1-08 to 0-03. A late push from the Tyrone champions saw chances flash past the goal but could not mount a comeback. 

All Ireland Intermediate Football Final 

An Ghaeltacht saw off Derry champions Glenullin in comfortable fashion to become All Ireland Intermediate champions. Leading from start to finish, the Kerry champions dominated possession and built a commanding 0-09 to 0-01 half-time lead, with Ruaidhri Ó Beaglaoich top-scoring with six points. Glenullin chased the game with more determination in the closing stages but could not make up the deficit. An Ghaeltacht added themselves to the near clean sweep of Kerry teams at All Ireland level this season. 

Pre Season Inter-County Football Round Up 

Galway 2-19 v Leitrim 0-14 
Wicklow 3-16 v Longford 1-11 
Westmeath 5-10 v Offaly 2-08 
Carlow 2-15 v Laois 3-09 
Dublin 1-13 v Kildare 1-22 
Mayo 0-22 v Roscommon 1-06 
Donegal 1-15 v Antrim 0-07 
Monaghan 1-17 v Fermanagh 3-08 
Kerry 1-27 v Waterford 0-01 
Cork 0-15 v Limerick 3-11 
Tyrone 0-18 v Down 1-11 
 

Pre Season Inter-County Hurling Round Up 

Tipperary 1-16 v Kerry 1-07 
Kilkenny 2-17 v Laois 0-10 
Down 1-15 v Meath 0-16 
Kildare 0-17 v Antrim 2-10 
Galway 2-22 v Offaly 0-16 
Dublin 3-24 v Westmeath 2-14 

League of Ireland 

Bohemians have appointed Alan Murphy as manager of their women’s team following the resignation of Alban Hysa earlier this week. The former Shelbourne and Dundalk midfielder has spent the past two seasons with Bohemians as the assistant manager, making the step up now to be the manager. 
 
Crystal Palace have signed Athlone Town striker Kelly Brady on a free transfer, with the 23-year-old joining the Women’s Super League 2 side on an 18-month deal. Brady had a breakout season with Athlone, scoring 26 goals and was named top scorer and player of the year. Her form attracted strong interest from abroad and led to a Republic of Ireland call-up last November.