Our Senior Men begin their 2026 Kerry Petroleum Senior Football Club Championship campaign this Friday evening when we take on neighbours Dr Crokes in Fitzgerald Stadium, with throw-in at 7.00pm.
The championship has expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams over the past two seasons. To facilitate that increase, there was no relegation in either of the previous two championships.
The championship has expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams over the past two seasons. To facilitate that increase, there was no relegation in either of the previous two championships.
The Groups
Group 1
Spa
Dr Crokes
Rathmore
Dingle
Group 2
Templenoe
Austin Stacks
Kenmare Shamrocks
Group 3
Na Gaeil
Milltown/Castlemaine
An Ghaeltacht
Spa have been drawn in a challenging but exciting Group 1, facing local rivals Dr Crokes on Friday, with matches against Rathmore and current All-Ireland Club Champions Dingle to follow. These matches will be set once the outcome from the first round of matches is known, and one of the matches will be in Spa.
How does qualification work?
Each team plays every other team in their group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the knockout stages.
As Group 1 contains four teams, the Group 1 winners automatically progress to the semi-finals. One of the two winners from Groups 2 & 3 will also receive a direct semi-final place, with that team decided by an open draw after the group stages.
The remaining group winner from Groups 2 & 3 and the three runners-up will contest the quarter-finals, with the two winners joining the already-qualified teams in the semi-finals.
Relegation
With the competition now settled at 10 teams, relegation returns for 2026.
The team finishing bottom of each group enters the relegation series.
The bottom-placed teams from Groups 2 & 3 meet in a relegation semi-final. The loser of that game then faces the bottom team from Group 1 in the relegation final, with the loser relegated to the Intermediate Championship for 2027.
All quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals and relegation games are played at neutral venues, with extra time and a winner on the day if required.
Ticket Details
Tickets for Friday nights match at Fitzgerald Stadium are €10, with U16s going Free. You can purchase tickets on the Kerry GAA website HERE.
Get behind the team on Friday night in Fitzgerald Stadium. Every voice from the stand can make a difference. Your support is greatly appreciated and could make all the difference as the lads begin their championship campaign!
We wish the players and management the very best of luck as another championship campaign begins.
The full fixtures for the opening matches of the Senior Championship can be seen below, image as provided by the County Board.
