Laois Senior Football Championship Format Explained: How the 2026 Championship Works.

The race for the Jack Delaney Cup resumes next week as the 2026 Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship enters Round 2.

Following the opening round, the championship now splits into two separate sections. While the pathways differ, every club still has meaningful football ahead, whether that is competing for the Jack Delaney Cup, the John Conway Cup, or battling to retain senior status for 2027.

Here’s how the remainder of the championship will unfold.

Round 2

The 16 remaining teams are divided into two sections following the opening round.

Winners Section

The eight Round 1 winners continue on the direct route to the quarter-finals.

The fixtures are:

Arles Killeen v Portlaoise
Ballyroan Abbey v Courtwood
Graiguecullen v St Joseph’s
Portarlington v Stradbally

The four winners qualify directly for the quarter-finals.

The four defeated teams are not eliminated. Instead, they progress to Round 3, where they receive a second opportunity to reach the knockout stages.

Qualifier Section

The eight teams defeated in Round 1 meet in the Qualifier Section.

The fixtures are:

Clonaslee St Manmans v The Heath
Crettyard v Park Ratheniska
Emo v O’Dempsey’s
Killeshin v Rosenallis

The winners advance to Round 3 and remain in contention for the Senior Football Championship.

The four defeated teams exit the Senior Championship and move into the Laois Shopping Centre Senior “B” Football Championship, where they will compete for the John Conway Cup.

Round 3

Round 3 sees the four teams defeated in the Winners Section play the four winners from the Qualifier Section.

Seeding will apply to determine the fixtures.

The four winners progress to the quarter-finals.

The four defeated teams move into the Senior “B” Championship.

Quarter-finals

The quarter-finals will feature:

The four Winners Section winners.
The four Round 3 winners.

Seeding will again apply.

The four winners advance to the semi-finals, where an open draw will determine the pairings.

The two semi-final winners will contest the 2026 Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship Final.

Senior “B” Championship

The Laois Shopping Centre Senior “B” Football Championship begins at the quarter-final stage.

The four teams defeated in Round 3 will play the four teams beaten in the Round 2 Qualifier Section, with seeding applying.

The four winners progress to the semi-finals, where an open draw will determine the pairings.

The winners of the semi-finals will meet in the John Conway Cup Final.

Relegation

The relegation process begins after the Senior “B” quarter-finals.

The four teams defeated in those quarter-finals will be entered into an open draw for the first round of the relegation series.

The losers of those two games will be relegated to the 2027 Intermediate Football Championship.

The two winners will meet in the Relegation Final.

The winner of the Relegation Final will retain senior status for 2027, while the loser will also be relegated to the 2027 Intermediate Football Championship.

Championship Schedule

The remaining stages of the championship are scheduled as follows:

Round 2: 6 to 9 August
Round 3: 22 and 23 August
Quarter-finals: 12 and 13 September
Semi-finals: 27 September
Senior Final: 11 October

The Senior “B” Championship quarter-finals will take place on 10 to 13 September, with the relegation series beginning on 25 to 27 September before concluding on 9 or 10 October.

This format ensures every club remains involved beyond the opening round, whether continuing the pursuit of the Jack Delaney Cup, competing for the John Conway Cup, or fighting to preserve senior football status for the 2027 season.