Niall Ó Ceallacháin begins his second year in charge with a trip to Carlow in the opening round of next year’s Walsh Cup. It’s great to see these pre-season competitions back on the calendar, with all the tradition and local colour they bring.

The split season might have taken some of the spotlight away from inter-county action, which, in fairness, is probably for the best overall but tournaments like the Walsh Cup are still a great way to start the new year. They give supporters a first look at the lads on the fringes of the panel and they are very often a player’s first real taste of senior inter-county hurling or football.

It’s an important season ahead for Niall and his management team. They showed flashes last year of what Dublin are capable of when it all clicks, and the standard of the SHC just gone was as high as it’s been in years.

A number of young lads have come through recent underage teams with serious skill levels, and once they’re ready to step up, there’s every chance Dublin hurling could push on to another level.

Round 1

Sunday, 4th January 2026

1. Kildare v Galway
2. Offaly v Antrim
3. Westmeath v Kilkenny
4. Laois v Wexford
5. Carlow v Dublin

Quarter-Final

Thursday, 8th January 2026

1. Winners LS/WX v Winners CW/DB

Semi-Finals

Sunday, 11th January 2026

1. Winners 6 v Winners Westmeath/Kilkenny
2. Winners Kildare/Galway v Winners Offaly/Antrim

Final

Sunday 18th January 2026

1. 7 v 8