Donegal Junior B Football Championship 2026 - Round 1

What to Expect

Junior B is the bottom rung of Donegal’s club football ladder and the grade where the county’s second and third teams get a competitive outing. Bigger clubs such as St Eunan’s and Letterkenny Gaels enter reserve sides, while smaller clubs including Urris and Naomh Ultan field their only panel, which makes for an unpredictable competition and some of the closest scorelines of the championship season. Round 1 of the 2026 competition is played on Saturday 15 August, with all four ties throwing in at 5:00 PM.

Last year’s competition ended with Carndonagh beating Naomh Mhuire Conmhaigh 1-14 to 1-9 in the county final at O’Donnell Park in October, after a semi-final round in late September. The 2026 competition follows the same shape, with a group phase running through late August and September before knockout football in the autumn. Crowds are small, admission is modest and the football is played at a proper clip.

Good to Know

• Saturday 15 August, 5:00 PM: St Eunan’s v Letterkenny Gaels, O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny
• Saturday 15 August, 5:00 PM: Naomh Pádraig Leifear v Naomh Bríd, Naomh Pádraig, Lifford
• Saturday 15 August, 5:00 PM: Naomh Colmcille v Naomh Mhuire Conmhaigh, Naomh Colmcille, Newtowncunningham
• Saturday 15 August, 5:00 PM: Naomh Ultan v Urris, Naomh Ultan, Dunkineely
• All four games throw in at the same time, so there is no way to take in two on the same evening
• Gate admission only, no advance ticketing
• Fixtures are confirmed on donegalgaa.ie and are worth rechecking on the day

Getting There

O’Donnell Park is on the Port Road in Letterkenny, a five-minute walk from the bus station and served by Bus Eireann routes from Derry, Sligo and Dublin. Lifford and Newtowncunningham sit on the N14 and N13 respectively, both within 20 minutes of Letterkenny. Dunkineely is on the N56 west of Donegal town, about 20 minutes out. Urris is in the Clonmany area of Inishowen, reached on the R238 and local roads, and a car is essential for that one. Parking at all four grounds is free.