With all provincial finalists getting a home fixture in Round 1 of the upcoming All Ireland football championship, the finals themselves have no bearing on that competition under the rules in 2026. But a winning result comes with quite a few bragging rights, and Kerry are always happy to prove themselves top dogs in Munster, which they did at Fitzgerald Stadium against Cork at the weekend. Meanwhile Galway were gunning for a fifth consecutive title in Connacht, but Roscommon took particular satisfaction in stopping them in that quest and were also delighted to pick up their first title since 2019.
Kerry won by a comfortable 8-point margin against the traditionally closest rivals in Munster, 1-25 to 1-18, on Sunday. The Rossies edged Galway, 3-21 to 2-22, in a late comeback win. The visitors were six points up with 10 minutes to go, but Roscommon got three two-pointers — from Paul Carey, Daire Cregg and Diarmuid Murtagh — to turn the game around.
In Leinster hurling, Offaly dramatically snatched a late 0-24 to 1-21 draw against Kilkenny who are chasing a 7th provincial title. It was first time the Cats hadn't won a championship meeting between the counties since 1998. In the other Leinster round-robin games, Dublin had an away win over Wexford, 2-21 to 0-22, while it was easy enough for Galway also on the road against Kildare, 4-22 to 1-22.
Darragh Heneghan scores Roscommon’s third goal at Dr. Hyde Park. [Inpho/James Crombie]
