McKenna Cup 2026

[Aaron Boone]

Can't imagine the McKenna Cup brings in much money. A good way to bring new players into inter-county football and as said much better than in-house games.

It's been estimated that the decision to scrap the McKenna Cup last year cost the Ulster Council in the region of €340,000

Likely Tyrone support was the highest proportion of that figure.

[Dunsilly King]

anyone curious why the McKenna cup was resurrected? The answer is always the same with most things corporate-follow the money!!

[JoG2]

anyone curious why the McKenna cup was resurrected? The answer is always the same with most things corporate-follow the money!!

Common sense

[Truthsayer]

Can't imagine the McKenna Cup brings in much money. A good way to bring new players into inter-county football and as said much better than in-house games.

It's been estimated that the decision to scrap the McKenna Cup last year cost the Ulster Council in the region of €340,000

That's a fair bit. A lot more than I imagined.

[tiempo]

anyone curious why the McKenna cup was resurrected? The answer is always the same with most things corporate-follow the money!!

To piss aff the GPA

[JE23]

Always liked the McKenna Cup, nice to watch a bit of football in the dark evenings in January when there isn't much else happening. Also think it's useful for trying out new players, especially for the div 1 teams that don't want to take a chance of throwing in a young lad in a competitive league. If there is no McKenna cup these teams will be getting challenge games or training hard themselves anyway so don't think it makes a lot of difference in terms of workload for players.

[AustinPowers]

anyone curious why the McKenna cup was resurrected? The answer is always the same with most things corporate-follow the money!!

To piss aff the GPA

In  a similar vein, I suggest staging two McKenna cups in January. The 2026 competition and the 2025 competition, just to stick two fingers up  at HQ for cancelling last year.

even if the u-16's  fulfil the 2025  competitions fixtures,  so be it.

[tiempo]

anyone curious why the McKenna cup was resurrected? The answer is always the same with most things corporate-follow the money!!

To piss aff the GPA

In  a similar vein, I suggest staging two McKenna cups in January. The 2026 competition and the 2025 competition, just to stick two fingers up  at HQ for cancelling last year.

even if the u-16's  fulfil the 2025  competitions fixtures,  so be it.

Absolutely, maybe the 2025 reboot all counties must field McKennas only

[Rossfan]

Must be something in the water up there🙄

[Munchie]

The league starts in January how is that any different. If you're concerned about snow and your safety then stay in the house lmao

The league , last year I made the trek to Galway to see my county team when I know loads cancelled due to the storm, but it was the county team playing a county team - the McKenna cup serves only the coffers of the Ulster GAA.

You were going to Galway for the pints Munchie you're not kidding us with that narrative.

Up and down in one day, pints i don't do.

[Munchie]

Thankfully we'll be seeing no more posts from Munchie on this topic then, double bonus.

The one person you want to avoid down in the local.

Glad to see the McKenna back. Saves a lot of logistic headaches for the CBs trying to sort challenge games all over the island

You a lot of input to getting the challenge games.

[Munchie]

Can't imagine the McKenna Cup brings in much money. A good way to bring new players into inter-county football and as said much better than in-house games.

It's been estimated that the decision to scrap the McKenna Cup last year cost the Ulster Council in the region of €340,000

Hard to believe but there you go. Although Armagh and Tyrone games in the Athletic grounds can pull in bumper crowds from memory.

Ask Benny he goes if its 5.30 on a dry Saturday and someone has a spare ticket.

[AustinPowers]

Must be something in the water up there🙄

Yet you've come on    here  , to an Ulster competition thread   

[tbrick18]

Always liked the McKenna Cup, nice to watch a bit of football in the dark evenings in January when there isn't much else happening. Also think it's useful for trying out new players, especially for the div 1 teams that don't want to take a chance of throwing in a young lad in a competitive league. If there is no McKenna cup these teams will be getting challenge games or training hard themselves anyway so don't think it makes a lot of difference in terms of workload for players.

100% agree.
As a supporter, I love getting to games that time of year - raises the spirits!
It made absolutely zero sense to get rid of them last year with the introduction of all the new rules. Look at the mess the league was with rule changes multiple times. A lot of that could have been ironed out during a mckenna cup.

Its a great testing area for new players, new tactics, new managers.....and even new rules.

[UisceBeatha]

University Teams no longer in the McKenna Cup? When did that stop