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The 2026 Ard na Cregg Cup Draw has taken place for this year's competition which kicks off this weekend.
Last year saw Corinthians RFC 3rds beat Monivea RFC 2nds in the Bank of Ireland Ard na Cregg Final on May 18th with a scoreline of 27-11. This year, the competition kicks off over the next two weekends with the first round draws having taken place.
The draw in full is as follows:
An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí and the winners of the second J2 League Semi-Final (either Ballinasloe 2nds or Dunmore 2nds) will receive a bye for the first round.
Monivea RFC 2nds vs Loser of Ballinasloe RFC 2nds/Dunmore RFC 2nds (J2 Semi-Final)
Westport RFC 2nds vs University of Galway RFC 2nds
Gort RFC vs Corinthians RFC 4ths
Galwegians RFC 3rds vs Tuam RFC 2nds
Buccaneers RFC 3rds vs Portumna RFC
Loughrea RFC 2nds vs Corrib RFC 2nds
Connacht Rugby Governance & Nominations Committee member Gerry O'Neill (and former Corinthians RFC player) gave some insights into the history of the Ard na Cregg:
"The Ard Na Cregg Cup is a prestigious Connacht Rugby competition, primarily for junior, second, and third-tier club teams, established to commemorate the former clubhouse of Galway Corinthians RFC on College Road and base until the club moved to Corinthian Park in Cloonacauneen. The competition was set up to provide a competition for Junior Clubs and junior teams of senior clubs. The Ard Na Cregg Cup has been a staple in Connacht rugby since it started in the 1970/71 season, when the Corinthians beat Galwegians in the final. A past Corinthian Captain Oliver Goodbody donated the Cup itself.
The Corinthians team that won that day included, Owen Keane, Jimmy Duggan (Galway footballer), John Colleran, Peter Farrell, Mick Reynolds (Galway footballer), Peter Cooke, Turley Cassidy, Mick Roche, Tony Hogan, Mick Killeen, Jimmy Joyce, Joe Joyce (Captain), Billy Herterech, Padraig Walsh and John Forde.
Past winners include Galwegians, Loughrea, Buccaneers, Sligo, Creggs, Athlone, Connemara, Westport and Tuam. Corinthians, Galwegians and Buccaneers have won it on consecutive years. However, OLBC had a very strong hold on the cup in the early years when they won three in a row in 1972 to 1975, the only club to do so. Jimmy Lawless captained the winning team in 1975."
Past 6 Ard na Cregg Winners:
2018 - OLBC
2019 - Tuam 2nds
2022 - Claremorris
2023 - Buccaneers 3rds
2024 - Corinthians 3rds
2025 - Corinthians 3rds
