Cork Colleges in Focus – UCC & MTU Cork
Cork will have a major stake in the 2026 Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Championships, with UCC and MTU Cork drawn together in Group B of the Fitzgibbon Cup — guaranteeing a Leeside derby under lights in early January.
In the Sigerson Cup, MTU Cork face a huge opener at home to UL, while UCC travel to ATU Sligo in Round 1.
Full competition structure, match regulations, and scheduled fixtures involving Cork teams are included below.
SIGERSON CUP 2026 — Cork Teams
Round 1
(F) ATU Sligo v UCC – Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30
(G) MTU Cork v UL – Wed 07/01/26 @ 19:30
Further Round 2A, 2B and Round 3 fixtures included in official schedule.
FITZGIBBON CUP 2026 — Group B (Cork Group)
1️⃣ UCC
2️⃣ MTU Cork
3️⃣ Garda College
Group winners → Home QF. Runners-up also progress.
Round 1
UCC v MTU Cork – Thu 08/01/26 @ 19:30
Garda College – Bye
Round 2
MTU Cork v Garda College – Wed/Thu 14-15/01/26 @ 19:30
UCC – Bye
Round 3
Garda College v UCC – Wed/Thu 21-22/01/26 @ 19:30
MTU Cork – Bye
FITZGIBBON CUP Knockout Stages
Quarter-Finals (home advantage for Group winners):
Wed/Thu 28-29/01/26 @ 19:30
Semi-Final Week: commencing 02/02/26 (venues TBC)
Final Week: commencing 09/02/26
RELEGATION NOTE
Two teams will be relegated from the Fitzgibbon Cup in 2026, with relegation play-offs for bottom teams after the group stage. Relegated teams join a new Tier Two competition in 2027 alongside the four 2026 Ryan Cup semi-finalists.
OFFICIAL COMPETITION NOTES
-
Dates, times, and venues to be confirmed by the CCC.
-
All knockout games will be played on a home-and-away basis subject to the 300km rule.
-
Finish-on-the-day rules apply in all knockout fixtures:
➤ Two 10-minute periods of extra-time, then penalties if required.
-
Default throw-in times:
➤ 2pm for home teams without floodlights
➤ 7:30pm for home teams with floodlights
-
If the host team’s pitch is unavailable or unplayable, the venue may be:
➤ Reversed or
➤ Moved to a venue designated by CA
(Astroturf/3G/4G pitches approved for Higher Ed competitions)
-
An Coiste Feidhmiúcháin decision is final in all matters.
Cork GAA | Convention Report 2025
Convention Report 2025
Rebels’ Bounty Draw for December 2025
The Rebels’ Bounty Draw for December will be broadcast live from SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, 9th December at 6pm.
This event marks the 12th and final draw of the year, where we will also reveal our fifth ever €100,000 top prize winner. By the conclusion of the draw, Cork GAA, in association with our clubs, will have distributed €500,000 in prize money throughout 2025 as part of Rebels’ Bounty.
You can watch the draw live on the stream below.
Cork Colleges Drawn Together in Group B in Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Championships
Cork Colleges in Focus – UCC & MTU Cork
Cork will have a major stake in the 2026 Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Championships, with UCC and MTU Cork drawn together in Group B of the Fitzgibbon Cup — guaranteeing a Leeside derby under lights in early January.
In the Sigerson Cup, MTU Cork face a huge opener at home to UL, while UCC travel to ATU Sligo in Round 1.
Full competition structure, match regulations, and scheduled fixtures involving Cork teams are included below.
SIGERSON CUP 2026 — Cork Teams
Round 1
(F) ATU Sligo v UCC – Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30
(G) MTU Cork v UL – Wed 07/01/26 @ 19:30
Further Round 2A, 2B and Round 3 fixtures included in official schedule.
FITZGIBBON CUP 2026 — Group B (Cork Group)
1️⃣ UCC
2️⃣ MTU Cork
3️⃣ Garda College
Group winners → Home QF. Runners-up also progress.
Round 1
UCC v MTU Cork – Thu 08/01/26 @ 19:30
Garda College – Bye
Round 2
MTU Cork v Garda College – Wed/Thu 14-15/01/26 @ 19:30
UCC – Bye
Round 3
Garda College v UCC – Wed/Thu 21-22/01/26 @ 19:30
MTU Cork – Bye
FITZGIBBON CUP Knockout Stages
Quarter-Finals (home advantage for Group winners):
Wed/Thu 28-29/01/26 @ 19:30
Semi-Final Week: commencing 02/02/26 (venues TBC)
Final Week: commencing 09/02/26
RELEGATION NOTE
Two teams will be relegated from the Fitzgibbon Cup in 2026, with relegation play-offs for bottom teams after the group stage. Relegated teams join a new Tier Two competition in 2027 alongside the four 2026 Ryan Cup semi-finalists.
OFFICIAL COMPETITION NOTES
Dates, times, and venues to be confirmed by the CCC.
All knockout games will be played on a home-and-away basis subject to the 300km rule.
Finish-on-the-day rules apply in all knockout fixtures:
➤ Two 10-minute periods of extra-time, then penalties if required.
Default throw-in times:
➤ 2pm for home teams without floodlights
➤ 7:30pm for home teams with floodlights
If the host team’s pitch is unavailable or unplayable, the venue may be:
➤ Reversed or
➤ Moved to a venue designated by CA
(Astroturf/3G/4G pitches approved for Higher Ed competitions)
An Coiste Feidhmiúcháin decision is final in all matters.
Applications open for new clubs to join Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme
Applications are now open for clubs wishing to join the award-winning Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme. Gaelic Games clubs nationwide are invited to register their interest on www.healthyclubs.gaa.ie and begin their journey toward becoming hubs of health, wellbeing, and positive community engagement.
The 2025 Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Conference took place in Croke Park on Saturday November 22nd, bringing together 400 volunteers and partners to celebrate the growing impact of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme. This year’s theme, “Community Champions,” showcased the remarkable work taking place in GAA clubs nationwide to support health, inclusion, and connection at the heart of Irish communities.
One of the highlights of the day was a powerful keynote address from former Clare hurler, author, and performance specialist Tony Griffin, who spoke about the importance of belonging, purpose, and supporting one another both on and off the pitch. A lively player panel featuring Mairead Kennedy (Kilkenny), Kevin McManamon (Dublin), and Shaun Patton (Donegal) offered honest and inspiring reflections on resilience, community, and the role of players in shaping positive club culture.
The afternoon continued the momentum with a HSE Balancing Stress session, offering practical tools for volunteers and club leaders to support wellbeing, led by Dr. Niamh Clarke. This was followed by an engaging presentation from Dr Aoife Lane (TUS) on the progress and potential of Health-Promoting Sports Clubs Coach Education, highlighting how coaches can influence positive physical and mental health outcomes.
The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme supports clubs in developing sustainable initiatives that enhance the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of their members and the wider community. From healthy eating and physical activity projects to mental health workshops and community outreach, the programme empowers clubs to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
Since its inception, the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs has grown into one of the largest and most influential health-promotion movements in Irish sport, with hundreds of participating clubs leading innovative wellbeing initiatives across the island.
The Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Programme provides a range of benefits for participants, clubs, and the wider community. Individuals can enjoy increased physical activity, better mental wellbeing, opportunities to discover new interests, build friendships, and develop a stronger sense of connection and belonging. Clubs that take part also gain from higher member engagement, a more welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, and improved member and volunteer recruitment.
How to Apply:
Clubs interested in joining the next cycle of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme can now submit an expression of interest online at www.healthyclubs.gaa.ie . Applications are now open until January 12th, 2026.
More information on the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme can be found at Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Programme | Tobar
Cork Post Primary Schools Finals Set for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Cork Post Primary Schools Finals Set for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Two major Cork Post Primary Schools Gaelic titles will be decided this Friday, December 5th, under the lights at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The evening begins with the Simcox Cup Final at 6pm, as Clonakilty Community College take on Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig. Both sides have impressed throughout the competition and will be eager to lift the prestigious trophy and end their season on a high.
At 8pm, attention turns to the O’Callaghan Cup Final, where Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG and Christian Brothers College go head-to-head in what promises to be a thrilling battle between two of Cork’s hurling strongholds.
These finals showcase some of the county’s brightest emerging talent and are a fantastic celebration of schools hurling and football in Cork. Supporters are encouraged to come along early and enjoy two top-quality games featuring the stars of the future.
📍 Venue: SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
📅 Date: Friday, December 5th
⏰ Throw-in Times: 6pm & 8pm
🎟️ Tickets on sale now: www.gaacork.ie/tickets