Longford senior hurlers start National League campaign away to Leitrim

Longford senior hurling manager Diarmuid Cahill Photo: Syl Healy

placeholder image — Longford senior hurling manager Diarmuid Cahill Photo: Syl Healy

Neighbouring rivals clash in Pairc Sean, Carrick on Saturday, throw-in 2pm

The fired up Diarmuid Cahill is back in charge of the Longford senior hurlers for a second season and while it is hard to predict what will happen in the National League, the primary focus is very much the Lory Meagher Cup which starts in April.

Tipperary native Cahill from Kilruane was furious with the disappointing exit from the championship last year and tempers reached boiling point in the heat of the draw against Monaghan in Inniskeen, a result which clinched a semi-final spot for the Ulster outfit.

Longford let that must win match slip from their grasp in the wake of some dubious decisions by the referee which infuriated Cahill but his players will have the chance to make amends when they clash in the league and championship this season,

The first competitive fixture in 2026 is the Division 4 clash against Leitrim in Carrick on Saturday (throw-in 2pm), followed by a home game against Cavan the following weekend.

Cavan were beaten by a strong New York side in last year’s Lory Meagher Cup final and will be hoping to go one step further in 2026.

The Ulster neighbours are clearly contenders for the Division 4 title while Sligo are also expected to be in the mix for Allianz honours, taking into account their higher Nicky Rackard Cup status, and they meet Longford at Pearse Park in the final round of the National League on Saturday March 21.

Allianz National Hurling League Division 4

Saturday 24 January

Round 1 - Pairc Sean, Carrick: Leitrim v Longford, 2pm

Saturday 31 January

Round 2: Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Longford v Cavan, 2pm

Saturday 7 February

Round 3: Grattan Park, Inniskeen: Monaghan v Longford, 2pm

Saturday 21 February

Round 4: Longford a bye

Saturday 28 February

Round 5: GAA Centre of Excellence, Abbottstown: Lancashire v Longford, 1pm

Saturday 7 March