Round one of the All-Ireland Senior Championship gets underway this week, with some cracking ties in store.
Kerry v Donegal
Reigning champions Kerry face Donegal in a repeat of last year’s decider and the more recent Division 1 final in Croke Park. Jim McGuinness’ men got revenge for last year’s All-Ireland final, with a 13-point win in the League final in March.
Patrick McBrearty of Donegal during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final, 2025. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The Kingdom are fresh off winning the Munster SFC final against Cork, to win the inaugural Páidí Ó Sé cup. Donegal surrendered their provincial title this year, with Armagh beating Monaghan in the final last weekend.
The game will take place at 3:00 pm, May 23, in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, and will be streamed on GAA+.
Cork v Meath
The second game of the weekend sees Meath Travel to Cork in what will be a repeat of the Division Two final, which was claimed by the Royal County. John Cleary’s side have already shown progress in 2026, securing promotion in the league and reaching a first Munster final in five years, in which they came out on the wrong side, losing to Kerry by eight points.
Colm O’Callaghan of Cork in action against Daithi Hogan of Tipperary. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Meath’s last game came against Westmeath, when the Royals were knocked out of the Leinster race by their neighbours, in one of the first shocks of the championship season.
The tie will take place at 5:30 pm, May 23, in Páirc Uí Rinn, and will also be streamed on GAA+.
Galway v Kildare
The final game of Saturday’s action sees Galway host Kildare in Pearse Stadium. After their shock loss to Roscommon two weeks ago, the Tribesmen will be looking to start their All-Ireland campaign with a win against Kildare.
Brian McLoughlin of Kildare in action against Peter Nash of Limerick during the Tailteann Cup final, 2025. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Kildare won the Tailteann Cup last year, meaning they qualify for this year’s All-Ireland SFC. They lost out in the semi-final of the Leinster Championship to Westmeath by four points. They haven’t beaten Galway at a senior level since 1985, and it will be their first competitive meeting since 2018.
The match will take place at 7:30 pm, May 23, in Pearse Stadium, Salthill, and will be shown live on RTE Sport.
Roscommon v Tyrone
The final game of the All-Ireland opening weekend takes place between Roscommon and Tyrone. The Rossies have been in flying form so far in this championship season and come into the game after victories over Mayo and Galway in the provincial semi-final and final to win the Connacht crown.
Diarmuid Murtagh of Roscommon during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship final. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Tyrone suffered a difficult league campaign, winning just two out of seven league games in Division Two. The Red Hands almost pulled off an upset win over Armagh but lost out to Kieran McGeeney’s men after extra time.
The game will take place at 2:00 pm, May 24, in King & Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park, and will be shown on GAA+.