Cork U20s to start Munster campaign with away game against Tipp
Barry Walsh and Oisin Fitzgerald of Cork in action against Joe Egan and Jim Ryan of Tipperary during last year's oneills.com Munster U20HC game at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
An away clash with All-Ireland champions Tipperary is the opening assignment for Cork in the 2026 Fulfil Munster U20 Hurling Championship.
The provincial council have finalised the fixtures for the U20 and minor grades and Noel Furlong’s U20 side will as tough an opener as they could wish for on Wednesday, March 25 before a quick turnaround to a home clash with Limerick a week later.
After that game on April 1, Cork have two fortnight breaks between games – they are away to Waterford on April 15 and conclude their round-robin schedule at home to Clare on April 29.
Last year, they met the Banner at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the semi-final after finishing second in the group – once again, the top side will advance straight to the final on May 13, with the runners-up hosting the third-placed county a week before that.
The minor team, managed by Donal Mulcahy, will start with two away games, as Fergal McCormack’s side did in 2025, en route to provincial glory.
Cork are not in action in the opening round of fixtures on Friday, April 3, with a trip to Waterford a week later giving them their bow in the competition before travelling to Tipp on April 17.
With the third round of games split across two weeks, there is a 14-day gap to their third outing, at home to Clare on May 1, before concluding with the visit of Limerick on May 8.
The minor system differs slightly to the U20 in that the top two counties progress directly to the provincial final – however, the counties finishing third and fourth still advance to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals.
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