City derby the main highlight as Kilkenny Club Championship draw is made
The league/championship kicks off at the conclusion of the inter-county season
The draws for the 2026 Kilkenny club hurling season took place at UPMC Nowlan Park this week with the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League, Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League and the JJ Kavanagh Junior Hurling League gathering the most attention.
The senior grade looks as competitive as ever and with the promoted Danesfort ending up in a group with the likes of county champions Shamrocks Ballyhale and city neighbours Dicksboro and O'Loughlin Gaels, it shows the standard of clubs on show.
The other group includes 2024 senior winners Thomastown who will look to bounce back to form as they sit alongside the likes of Glenmore, Benettsbridge and last year's semi-finalists Mullinavat.
The intermediate league will again concentrate largely on James Stephens as last year's beaten county finalists look to get back to the top tier and they are in a group with junior championship winners Barrow Rangers and Tullogher Rosbercon among others.
After many years at senior and intermediate, the junior league includes Fenians who suffered relegation last term with the Johnstown based outfit in a group alongside Piltown, Windgap and Graignamanangh.
There is five league rounds in total in all the grades and in a change to previous years, the junior and intermediate grades will kick off on the last weekend of July before the senior commences on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The league draws in full are as follows;
St Canice's Credit Union Senior Hurling League Group A- Glenmore, Mullinavat, Thomastown, Clara, Graigue Ballycallan and Benettsbridge
St Canice's Credit Union Senior Hurling League Group B- Danesfort, Tullaroan, Dicksboro, O'Loughlin Gaels, Shamrocks Ballyhale and Erin's Own
Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League Group A- St Lachtain's, Rower Inistioge, Carrickshock, Mooncoin, Dunnamaggin and Young Irelands
Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League Group B- St Martin's, Tullogher Rosbercon, James Stephens, Blacks and Whites, Lisdowney and Barrow Rangers
JJ Kavanagh Premier Junior Hurling League Group A- Graignamanagh, John Lockes, Slieverue, Fenians, Piltown and Windgap
JJ Kavanagh Premier Junior Hurling League Group B- Emeralds, Kilmacow, Galmoy, St Patrick's, Conahy Shamrocks and Cloneen