League walkovers to result in points deductions

Teams conceding walkovers in the county football and hurling leagues in 2026 will be subject to points deductions well as fines.

At Tuesday night’s Cork County Board meeting at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh - the final gathering before December’s annual convention - the competition regulations for next year were passed by delegates.

While the document remains largely unchanged from previous years, the later start of divisional U21 football competitions was a notable alteration and so is the section on the non-fulfilment of league fixtures.

Up to now, there has only been a monetary penalty, apart from the short period where teams were awarded a point for every match played, along with four for a win and two for a draw. Now, in addition to a €200 fine, a team scratching a league match will also be docked two points. Where a game goes unplayed and it is the responsibility of both clubs, each will be fined €200.

In addition, the regulations also make the request that divisional finals should not clash directly with county premier senior finals, a phenomenon which has occurred more than once in recent years. Divisions are asked to submit their programmes to the county board before the end of January.

Meanwhile, Ben O’Connor’s first game in charge of the Cork senior hurling team will take on Sunday, December 28 at the Mardyke. Throw-in time is yet to be finalised.

Since 2013, the fixture has served as the Rebels’ traditional season-opener, apart from 2018, when it was postponed due to bad weather and unable to refixed, and 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions prevented it from taking place.

Of the 11 editions played, Cork have eight wins with three victories for UCC. Cork captain Robert Downey has been the skipper of the winning team in each of the last two games, for UCC in December 2023 and Cork in January 2025.