Ballydesmond and Castlemagner go head to head in the 2026 Ashgrove Renewables Junior A Football Championship on Saturday Next  ( Oct 10th ) at 4.30 pm in Newmarket.

This is a novel pairing as it is the 1st time these two sides will meet in a Duhallow Football Final. Castlemagner have been the kingpins in recent years winning the championship in 2023,2024 and 2025. Ballydesmond last won a Duhallow Championship in 2007 and they have been playing in the County Premier Junior Championship in recent years.

Both sides have had a similiar trajectory through their championship campaigns-  as they both won all their round robins games ,only to be given a real scare  in their semi-final clashes.

Ballydesmond opened their campaigh with a facile victory over Lismire which was followed by equally commanding performances against Kilbrin and Kanturk while Castlemagner opened with a 7 point win over Knocknagree and followed this up with a 6 point victory over Lyre.

In the Semi-Finals Ballydesmond were put to the pin of their collar to overcome a youthful Lyre side 0-14 to 1-9 while Castlemagner were taken to extra time by Lismire in a thrilling game which saw Castle needing all their experience to register a 1-18 to 0-17 victory.

Both sides will have learned valuable lessons from their semi-final encounters,  the final on Saturday is certain to be a titanic struggle between two experienced teams and no quarter will be asked or given.

The referee on Saturday is Simon Stokes.

Pictured are Castlemagner Captain Daniel Murphy, Shane Murphy Managing Director Ashgrove Renewables, Championship Sponsors and Paudie Breen , Ballydesmond Captain.