The 2026 Derry Senior Hurling Championship is the 81st staging of the Derry Senior Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Derry County Board in 1887. The championship is scheduled to run from 15 August until 20 September 2026.

Slaughtneil are the defending champions, having won the 2025 title.

Slaughtneil beat Kevin Lynch's 0-20 - 1-14 to claim their 20th championship and their 14th title in a row.

Format change The format of the 2026 championship was changed compared to the previous years. There is no more group phase. Instead a knock-out format with a back-door for the intermediate and junior title is established.

Round 1 8 teams are participating in 4 matches. The 4 winners advance to Qualifier 1 A, the 4 losers to Qualifier 1B.

Qualifier 1A The 4 winners of Round 1 are participating. The 2 winners qualifiy for the Senior final. The 2 losers advance to the IHC/JHC qualifier.

Qualifier 1B The 4 losers of Round 1 are participating. The 2 winners advance to the IHC/JHC qualifier.

IHC/JHC qualifier The 4 teams with 1 win and 1 loss in the previous rounds are participating. The 2 winners qualify for the Intermediate final. The 2 losers to the Junior final

Senior / Intermediate / Junior final The 6 teams qualifying for the 3 finals determine the Champions of the 3 tiers.

Championship

Round 1 Source:

Qualifier 1A

Qualifier 1B

IHC/JHC Qualifier

Junior final

Intermediate final

Senior final

References

External links Derry GAA website