BY RYAN FERRY
We have asked four well-known local GAA personalities to look ahead to the 2026 GAA season and call who they think will win the big competitions.
Gary Wilson (former Sean MacCumhaills manager)
Hopes for 2026: The enhancements need to sit untouched now for 12-24 months. We don’t need more tweaks when coaches slightly bend them or don’t play the way it was envisaged by the FRC. That’s going to happen we have to make peace with it. Locally, I think the Senior Championship needs looked at. Sixteen teams playing four games each to lose four teams? To win it, at best it’s seven games inside ten weeks, eight games if you go through the prelims. It’s a lot in a short period. Did it hamper Glenties in Ulster? We could possibly explore a way that the Leagues are linked to the Championship, which could bring greater meaning and value to all league games again.
Gary Wilson.
All Ireland Champions: Kerry
Ulster Champions: Donegal
Donegal Senior Champions: Gaoth Dobhair
Donegal Intermediate Champions: St Naul’s
Donegal Junior Champions: Letterkenny Gaels
One to Watch: Sean Martin (Sean MacCumhaills).
I’ll go for my own clubman, Sean Martin. A sponge for information in ways to improve his own game and very tactically aware in the overall context of the game. He became a real leader for us last year after captaining the Donegal U20s to the Ulster Final. Has a good role model in Oisín (Gallen) within the set-up to keep him right. He played 6 for us, and I’ve seen him play at 5 and 7, then midfield for the U20s so he’s very flexible in that middle 8. He’d fancy himself for a two-pointer too from play which is a good skill to possess, they just don’t always go over.
Daniel McCauley (former Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin manager)
Hopes for 2026: The new rules have been brilliant for the game but I think there’s room for people to get to grips with them better and to have greater consistency with decisions. It’s not just at club level but senior inter-county as well as you’re seeing some referees make decisions and then in the next game, another ref will just let it go. That was frustrating at times but wee niggly things like that can be improved. Obviously I’d love to see my own club Muff push on and win the Intermediate Championship and I think they are more than capable if they can get everyone fit and buy in. Personally for myself diving into Derry football with Faughanvale, I hope we can make the most of the massive challenge and still be in the senior championship at this time next year and have a good season.
All-Ireland Champions: Kerry
Ulster Champions: Donegal
Donegal Senior Champions: Four Masters
Donegal Intermediate Champions: Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin
Donegal Junior Champions: Letterkenny Gaels
One to Watch: Conor McCahill (Four Masters)
I think Conor is a super player. With Patrick McBrearty retiring, I’m just wondering if Jim is going to throw a new Finnbarr Roarty at us with young Conor. I have seen him play at school and minor level, and he’s a real good player and he’s just going to develop even more with the seniors. I also will give a mention to Oisin McIntyre from my own club because I think he can play at a higher level and if he takes on a bit more responsibility, he could have a massive year.
Brendan Walsh (former Glenswilly manager)
Hopes for 2026: I hope that all games will be won on the field and not in the boardroom. I’ve always felt in the GAA that whatever the outcome is when the final whistle goes then it should be left at that. Mistakes happen and you can try and learn from it. I know people can get annoyed but it should be left on the field. It might go against you some days but it will go for you others. I also hope from a Donegal supporter’s perspective that there is common sense when games are being fixed with venues and times. For people with young families, having games a few hours away at 6 or 7pm in the evening is just not a runner. I think the GAA should do what they can to make sure that children can get to see the matches.
All-Ireland Champions: Donegal
Ulster Champions: Kerry
Donegal Senior Champions: Naomh Conaill
Donegal Intermediate Champions: St Naul’s
Donegal Junior Champions: Letterkenny Gaels
One to watch: Conor McCahill (Four Masters)
Glenswilly came up three times against Conor McCahill last year at minor, under 21 and senior, and he caused us plenty of problems. On his day he is as good of a corner-forward as there is in the county. He’s quick and he can score and he’s very hard to keep quiet. I’ve seen a good bit of him over the last two years and I think he’s a very exciting player. A very nice lad off the field as well.
Robert Wehrley (former Dungloe manager)
Hopes for 2026:
My own club Dungloe are back in Division 1 in the league and it’s a good while since we have been in the top level. I’m looking forward to seeing the best players and teams coming to Dungloe every week and I hope the team can have a good league and then give the championship a good go.
All-Ireland Champions: Kerry
Ulster Champions: Donegal
Donegal Senior Champions: St Eunan’s
Donegal Intermediate Champions: Malin
Donegal Junior Champions: Letterkenny Gaels
One to Watch: Danny McCready (Dungloe)
I’m going to pick a player from my own club, Danny McCready. He played with the county minors last year and he’s a good, nippy forward. He will be playing for Dungloe seniors next year and it’s good to have a scoring forward coming through. I saw him in a few games last year and he’s well able to hit two-pointers which is what you need.
