Derbies and intrigue galore as Leitrim GAA make 2026 Club Championship draws

placeholder image — Niamh Jinks (Communications & Brand Manager Aurivo) and Brian Ellis (Fresh Today) pictured with Leitrim GAA Chairman Declan Bohan and representatives of Leitrim's clubs at the launch of the 2026 Leitrim Club Championships in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada Picture: Willie Donnellan | Willie Donnellan

Champions Leitrim Gaels to open defence of Fenagh Cup with trip to Glencar Manorhamilton while Mohill host St Mary’s Kiltoghert

Derbies and a lot of intriguing clashes are the order of the day after Leitrim GAA conducted the draws for the group stages of the Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior and Smith Monumentals Intermediate Championships on Monday evening.

Unlike previous years, the draw for all four rounds of both the Senior and Intermediate grades were made at once with teams now having a clear road-map towards qualification for the knockout stages. The top two teams will go automatically into the semi-finals with the new four contesting the quarters finals and the bottom two facing off in the relegation final.

Defending champions and newly crowned Division 1 champions Leitrim Gaels open the defence of the Fenagh Cup with a trip to Boggaun over the weekend of August 8-9 while the three other first round games are equally mouth-watering with Mohill hosting St Mary’s Kiltoghert; last year’s Intermediate winners Allen Gaels hosting Fenagh St Caillins and a derby meeting between Aughawillan and Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins.

If anything the matches get even more enticing with the round two highlight the meeting of last year’s Senior and Intermediate champions Leitrim Gaels and Allen Gaels in a derby meeting while in round 3, Ballinamore host St Mary’s in another enticing game.

The final round of group games on September 5-6, there are two huge derbies with Fenagh St Caillins hosting Ballinamore and St Mary’s Kiltoghert hosting champions Leitrim Gaels in a repeat of this year’s KC Motors ACL Division 1 Final. Mohill host Glencar Manorhamilton in their final round while Aughawillan visit Drumshanbo to take on Allen Gaels.

CHECK OUT WILLIE DONNELLAN’S GALLERY AS LEITRIM GAELS CELEBRATE HISTORIC VICTORY

The Smith Monumentals IFC draw is no less exciting with six derbies over the course of the four game programme. Last year’s defeated finalists St Patrick’s Dromahair host fellow north Leitrim side Melvin Gaels in the opening round where there is a huge game with Annaduff taking on newly crowned Division 2 champions Gortletteragh.

Rounding out the first round which could be played over two weekends, Drumkeerin host Carrigallen while Bornacoola take on 2025 Connacht Junior Club finalists Aughavas.

Round 2 sees another big derby with Gortletteragh taking on Bornacoola in an eagerly anticipated clash, Aughavas face Annaduff, Melvin Gaels face another north Leitrim derby with Drumkeerin while Carrigallen travel to Drumkerin.

Round 3 sees yet three more derbies with Annaduff hosting Bornacoola and Aughavas travelling to Gortletteragh while Dromahair will see Drumkeerin visit, Melvin Gaels and Carrigallen the final game.

The final round of games features some intriguing clashes with Bornacoola hosting Dromahair in a rematch of last year’s quarter-final.

Round 1 of the Intermediate Championship is scheduled to take place over two weekend, August 8 & 9 and August 15 & 16, with Leitrim CCC set to finalise details in the coming days.

The full Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC draw is as follows:

AUGUST 8-9

Connacht Gold SFC Rd 1