The stage is set and excitement is building as club football and hurling championships across Ulster, Donegal, and Mayo reach their critical phases, with fixtures, venues, and dates now confirmed for a thrilling run of provincial and county finals. Fans, players, and coaches alike are bracing for a packed calendar as October gives way to a crescendo of showdowns that will shape the landscape of Gaelic games into early 2026.
In Ulster, the Club Football and Hurling Championships return with all the tradition, drama, and anticipation that have made them a breeding ground for All-Ireland contenders. Last season, Errigal Ciaran clinched their third Ulster Club Senior Football Championship (SFC) title, while Slaughtneil reclaimed the hurling crown. Both sides, though, were left with unfinished business on the national stage—Errigal Ciaran, Ballinderry, and Naomh Padraig all fell short in their respective All-Ireland finals, and Slaughtneil narrowly missed out in the All-Ireland semi-finals against Sarsfield’s.
But if history is any guide, Ulster clubs are never far from the summit. In 2024, the province pulled off a remarkable clean sweep of All-Ireland titles across different grades, underscoring the depth and quality of its club scene. The hunger for more silverware is palpable, and with the fixtures now in place, the countdown to another epic campaign is well underway.
The Ulster Club SFC preliminary round kicks off on November 1 and 2, 2025, featuring Derry versus Antrim (Cargin or Dunloy) at Celtic Park. Quarter-finals follow swiftly on November 8 and 9, with marquee matchups including Cavan (Gowna or Kingscourt) against Fermanagh at Kingspan Breffni, Tyrone facing Down at O’Neills Healy Park, Monaghan taking on Donegal at Clones, and Armagh squaring off against either Derry or Antrim depending on earlier results. The semi-finals are slated for November 22 and 23, leading to a much-anticipated Ulster final on December 6 and 7.
The journey doesn’t end there. The Ulster champions will represent the province in the All-Ireland semi-final on January 3 or 4, 2026, with the All-Ireland final set for January 18. The Intermediate and Junior Football Championships, as well as the Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Hurling Championships, follow a similar structure, with a flurry of games from late October through mid-January. Venues like Kingspan Breffni, O’Neills Healy Park, Clones, and the Box-It Athletic Grounds will be buzzing with supporters as clubs chase provincial glory.
For those unable to make it to the grounds, TG4 will broadcast a selection of club games, while Ulster GAA will stream others, ensuring fans can follow every twist and turn. Betting odds for the various championships are yet to be confirmed, but anticipation is already running high as pundits and supporters debate the likely favorites and dark horses.
Meanwhile, in Donegal, the focus shifts to an action-packed finals weekend on October 4 and 5, 2025. The Michael Murphy Sports C Football Championship final sees St Eunan’s take on Sean MacCumhaill at Páirc Naomh Columba at 4:00 PM on Saturday. That same afternoon, the O’Reilly Sports LGFA Senior Championship Final between Termon and Glenfin throws in at 4:30 PM in O’Donnell Park, promising a fierce contest between two of the county’s top ladies’ teams.
Sunday brings even more drama, with Malin and Naomh Columba facing off in the Intermediate Football Championship final at 4:00 PM in O’Donnell Park. The Intermediate B final, featuring Burt and Buncrana, serves as the perfect curtain-raiser at 2:00 PM. Earlier in the day, the LGFA Junior A final between Naomh Columba and Urris takes place at 1:00 PM in Páirc Naomh Columba, while Red Hughs and St Michael’s contest the Junior B final at 11:00 AM in Lifford.
It’s not just football that takes center stage. The Under-21 Hurling Championship quarter-finals also get underway, with St Eunan’s meeting Setanta at O’Donnell Park and Letterkenny Gaels clashing with Four Masters at Páirc na nGael on Saturday. Burt and Carndonagh square off at Hibernian Park, while Sean MacCumhaill faces Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon at the Donegal GAA Centre on Sunday. The blend of youth and experience on display across these fixtures hints at a bright future for Donegal hurling.
According to the official fixture guide, "Paul McLaughlin hits a goal for Malin in their semi-final against Naomh Muire to set up an Intermediate final with Naomh Columba," a moment that has fans in Malin dreaming of championship glory. The Donegal GAA community is abuzz, with supporters eager to see which teams will seize their chance and etch their names into county folklore.
Turning to Mayo, the Junior Club Football Championship has reached its semi-final stage, with only four teams left standing. Over the past weekend, the dreams of four clubs were dashed, while four more advanced and now eye a spot in the decider. The semi-final fixtures are now confirmed: Ardagh faces Kiltimagh on Saturday, October 4, at 2:00 PM in Foxford, while Bonniconlon meets Eastern Gaels on Sunday, October 5, at 2:00 PM in Parke. The Junior B semi-finals see Kilmovee Shamrocks take on Swinford on Saturday at 4:00 PM in Kilmovee, and Achill lock horns with Killala on Sunday at 1:00 PM in Achill.
The sense of anticipation is palpable among the remaining Mayo clubs. Eastern Gaels, buoyed by the performances of Jarlath Concannon, are looking ahead with excitement after their recent win over Ballycroy. As David Farrell’s photo captured, the determination and spirit of these players are clear for all to see. For the four semi-finalists, the next step is fraught with pressure, but also opportunity. Who will rise to the occasion and book their place in the final?
With such a packed schedule, fans across Ulster, Donegal, and Mayo will have no shortage of high-stakes action to follow in the weeks and months ahead. From established powerhouses defending their crowns to underdogs dreaming of an upset, the club championships are once again serving up a feast of drama and passion that defines Gaelic games at their best.
As the autumn air grows crisp and the floodlights flicker on across Ireland’s storied grounds, the journey to provincial and All-Ireland glory is officially underway. Whether in the stands, at home watching TG4, or streaming online, supporters everywhere are gearing up for a rollercoaster ride of hope, heartbreak, and, just maybe, history in the making.
