Reigning All-Ireland camogie champions Galway kick the 2026 season off this Saturday against Kilkenny at Duggan Park in Ballinasloe.
The National Camogie League is back and Cathal Murray's charges open their campaign with an intriguing battle against the Cats. It is the Tribeswomen's first competitive fixture since their dramatic one-point victory over Cork at Croke Park to claim the O'Duffy Cup.
New season spells new possibilities. No doubt the focus for Galway will be making it two All-Ireland titles in a row come summertime but the league presents an opportunity to introduce new talent and gain momentum ahead of the championship campaign.
Galway enjoyed a good league campaign in 2025 as they made the Division 1A final where they also faced Cork. The Rebels cruised to an 11-point victory in a disappointing occasion for Galway at FBD Semple Stadium last April.
The Tribeswomen will seek to make amends this league campaign. Galway and Cork will be the favourites but the likes of Kilkenny and Tipperary could be dark horses.
Galway last faced Kilkenny in Round 4 of the All-Ireland at UPMC Nowlan Park. Murray's side ran out eight-point victors on their charge to All-Ireland glory. That victory secured Galway's place in the quarter-final.
The league campaign takes on additional intrigue with the trial of new in-game rules. A player who during a game removes their helmet or has had it removed by a player/official from the player’s own team shall be presumed to be potentially injured and shall be instructed by the referee to leave the field of play to be assessed for injury and the helmet refitted.
The removal of substitutions will not be allowed in additional time of either half. There is a crackdown on dissent towards match officials with increases in the penalties for dissent from players and team officials. Team captains are the only players permitted to speak to the referee to seek clarification of their decisions.
Side-line pucks may be taken from the player’s hand, if she is inside her own 45 has been the rule change to gain the most scrutiny.
The rules will be trialled throughout the 2026 season, with an initial review taking place after the National Leagues and any necessary improvements considered ahead of championship.
Throw-in for Galway's league curtain-raiser at Duggan Park this Saturday is 2pm.
