The 2026 Junior A Football Championship – club by club

MOVILLE

Manager: Gerard Faulkner

Last year’s Championship: Failed to qualify from group

This year’s league: 7th in Division 3

First two opponents: Pettigo (a); Naomh Colmcille (h)

Prospects: Moville have regressed in recent years since reaching the 2023 final but will have quality coming through in the coming years. Reaching the knockouts is achievable and they won’t fear many teams in their group.

Star Man: Danny Murphy.

NA ROSSA

Manager: N/A

Last year’s Championship: Relegated from Intermediate

This year’s league: 10th in Division 3

First two opponents: Naomh Ultan (a); Pettigo (h)

Prospects: Relegated from the Intermediate championship, the Leitir men have been struggling for numbers but usually improve for the championship.

Star Man: Oisin Caulfield.

NAOMH COLMCILLE

Manager: Packie Gallagher

Last year’s Championship: failed to qualify from the group

This year’s league: 9th in Division 3

First two opponents: Robert Emmets (h); Moville (a)

Prospects: Naomh Colmcille will be happy with their draw but may well struggle. Two of their league wins came against their first two opponents and the Newtown men will be looking at those matches as a chance to advance.

Star Man: Matthew Doran

NAOMH ULTAN

Manager: Aaron Byrne

Last year’s Championship: Lost quarter-final to St Mary’s, Convoy.

This year’s league: 3rd in Division 3, lost promotion play-off to Carndonagh

First two opponents: Na Rossa (h); Robert Emmets (a)

Prospects: Naomh Ultan had a good league campaign, winning all but three games against the top two before a surprising defeat to Pettigo.

Cian Kennedy and Luke Gallagher impressed on their way to finishing third, and in a favourable group, they will be hoping to finish top.

Star Man: Cian Kennedy

PETTIGO

Manager: Declan Deazley

Last year’s Championship: failed to qualify from the group

This year’s league: 8th in Division 3

First two opponents: Moville (h); Na Rossa (a)

Prospects: Pettigo enjoyed one of their best league campaigns in years, with a couple of big scalps. The border men still struggle for numbers, but a return to fitness for former county minor Ronan Maher gave them a huge boost in the league.

Star Man: Ronan Maher.

ROBERT EMMETS

Manager: John Duffy

Last year’s Championship: Beaten quarter-finalists

This year’s league: 11th in Division 3

First two opponents: Naomh Colmcille (a); Naomh Ultan (h)

Prospects: Robert Emmets have been continuously improving in recent years and another year of experience will stand them in good stead. The Castlefinn men will be pushing to finish in the top three of a competitive group, with the Dalton’s, Ryan McGirr, and Sean Maguire driving them on.

Star Man: Rory Dalton.

LETTERKENNY GAELS

Manager: Aidy Glackin

Last year’s Championship: Beaten by Carndonagh in final

This year’s league: Division 3 winners

First two opponents: St Mary’s, Convoy (a); Naomh Bríd (h)

Prospects: After a near-perfect league campaign, and Ronan Frain to return for the Championship, the Gaels will be looking to return to the IFC at the second attempt. Another year of experience for a young team with the experience of Conor Browne, Darren Hunter, and Conor McBrearty driving them on. Their first two games against other fancied sides will be a big indicator of where they stand.

Star Man: Conor McBrearty

NAOMH BRÍD

Manager: Declan McCafferty

Last year’s Championship: Beaten in semi-final by Letterkenny Gaels

This year’s league: 2nd in Division 3 (promoted)

First two opponents: bye; Letterkenny Gaels (a)

Prospects: Narrowly missing out on reaching last year’s decider in extra-time to Letterkenny Gaels, Naomh Bríd gained promotion to Division 2 this year and the returning duo of Darren Russell and Donal Gallagher will be big for them.

Star Man: Eoin Rush.

NAOMH PÁDRAIG, LIFFORD

Managers: Donal Grant and Paul Lynch

Last year’s Championship: Failed to qualify from group.

This year’s league: 12th in Division 3

First two opponents: Urris (a); St Mary’s, Convoy (h)

Prospects: It’s been a tough couple of years for the border men, who lost every league game this season. The draw hasn’t been kind to the Lifford men, and any form of result would be a positive.

Star Man: Brian Breslin

ST MARY’S, CONVOY

Manager: Laurence McMullan

Last year’s Championship: Beaten semi-finalists

This year’s league: 5th in Division 3

First two opponents: Letterkenny Gaels (h); Naomh Pádraig, Lifford (a)

Prospects: Convoy have lost huge players in recent years in Joe McGill, Paddy Dolan, and John and Liam Toye, although John has returned this year. Getting in the top three will be a minimum requirement, but it won’t be an easy task with Letterkenny Gaels and Naomh Bríd, the two championship favourites in their group.

Star Man: Corrie-lee Bogan

URRIS

Manager: Sean Paul Doherty

Last year’s Championship: Failed to qualify from group.

This year’s league: 4th in Division 3

First two opponents: Naomh Pádraig Lifford (h); bye

Prospects: Urris had a disappointing championship campaign last year, but former county minor Joe Doherty has been a big addition, with Luke Doherty also scoring well in the league for the Inishowen men.

Star Man: Joe Doherty.