2026 Football Championship draws, the last of the current 16 team SFC

THE draw for the 2026 Laois Shopping Centre Football Championships took place on Thursday night at the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence.

Laois GAA Chairman PJ Kelly oversaw proceedings, joined by Football Chairman Tony Bambrick and Kevin Doyle representing Laois Shopping Centre.

In the Senior Football Championship, 16 teams were divided into two groups. Pool 1 is made up of the eight sides that progressed to last season’s quarterfinals.

Defending county champions Portarlington will once again meet The Heath, the same opponents they faced in the opening round on their way to lifting the 2025 title.

Last year’s finalists Courtwood have been drawn against neighbours O’Dempsey’s in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the first round.

Meanwhile, Intermediate champions Park/Ratheniska begin their return to senior ranks with a clash against Arles Killeen.

This season marks the final year of the championship in its current 16 team format. Three teams will be relegated at the conclusion of the campaign, while the Intermediate champions will move up, resulting in a 14 team Senior Championship next year. From 2028 onwards, both the Senior and Intermediate championships in Laois will be reduced to 12 teams each.

Senior:

Ballyroan Abbey v Rosenallis;

Portarlington v The Heath;

St Joseph’s v Crettyard;

Portlaoise v Clonaslee/St Manman’s;

Graiguecullen v Emo;

Killeshin v Stradbally;

Courtwood v O’Dempsey’s;

Arles Killeen v Park/Ratheniska;

Intermediate:

Ballyfin v Portlaoise;

Arles Kilcruise v Ballylinan;

Annanough v Mountmellick;

Kilcavan v Ballyroan Abbey;

Junior 'A' Group A:

Barrowhouse;

Errill;

Spink;

The Rock;

Timahoe;

Junior 'A' Group B:

Killeshin;

O’Dempsey’s;

St Joseph’s;

Stradbally;

The Heath;

Junior ‘B’ Group A:

St Joseph’s;

Graiguecullen;

Clonaslee/St Manman’s;

Stradbally;

Junior ‘B’ Group B:

Rosenallis;

Ballyfin;

Emo;

Portlaoise;

Junior ‘B’ Group C:

Portarlington;

Mountmellick;

Park/Ratheniska;

Ballylinan;

Junior ‘B’ Group D:

Castletown;

Camross;

Rathdowney