Laois GAA Confirm 2026 Club Player Grading Lists

Laois GAA have officially released the 2026 Club Player Grading lists, providing clarity for clubs across football and hurling ahead of the new season.

The grading lists outline player allocations across all grades, ensuring that competitions at Senior, Intermediate and Junior levels are structured fairly and competitively throughout the year.

You can view the full grading document here: 2026 Player Gradings

Structure and Purpose of Grading

The grading system is a key component of competition integrity within Laois GAA. Clubs with multiple teams are required to nominate players to specific grades, preventing movement between levels that could impact the balance of competitions.

Each club has submitted named panels, typically consisting of 15 players, who are tied to their respective grades for the duration of the season. This applies across both football and hurling competitions.

The system ensures:

Competitive balance across all divisions
Clear distinction between first, second and third teams
Development opportunities for players at appropriate levels

County-Wide Representation

The 2026 grading lists include clubs from across the county, covering all levels of competition.

In football, clubs such as Annanough, Ballylinan, Graiguecullen, O’Dempsey’s, Portlaoise, Killeshin and Emo are among those who have submitted detailed grading panels across Senior, Intermediate and Junior grades.

In hurling, strong representation is evident from clubs including Ballinakill, Borris-In-Ossory/Kilcotton, Camross, Clough-Ballacolla, Castletown and Colt-Shanahoe, with player allocations spanning Senior, Premier Intermediate, Intermediate and Junior competitions.

This county-wide approach reflects the depth of playing resources within Laois GAA and highlights the importance of structured grading in maintaining competitive standards.

Dual Codes and Multi-Team Clubs

Many clubs feature across both football and hurling grading lists, with players assigned differently depending on code and competition level.

Clubs fielding multiple teams must adhere strictly to grading rules. Players listed at higher grades are not eligible to drop down to lower levels, reinforcing fairness and preventing the strengthening of lower grade teams during competitions.

This is particularly relevant for clubs competing at Senior and Premier Intermediate levels, where squad depth is a key factor across both codes.

Impact on 2026 Competitions

The publication of the grading lists provides certainty ahead of the start of league and championship competitions.

For management teams, it confirms:

Available player pools at each grade
Squad depth and potential rotation options
Strategic planning for league and championship campaigns

For players, it offers clarity on their competitive level for the season, allowing for focused preparation and development.

For supporters, the grading lists offer an early insight into how clubs are shaping up ahead of competitive action.

Transparency and Accountability

The release of full grading lists also promotes transparency across Laois GAA competitions. By making player allocations public, the CCC ensures that all clubs operate under the same framework and that grading rules are clearly visible to all stakeholders.

This openness is central to maintaining trust in competition structures and avoiding disputes during the season.

Conclusion

The 2026 Club Player Grading lists mark an important step in preparations for the upcoming Laois GAA season.

With clear structures now in place across both football and hurling, clubs can turn their focus to on-field matters, knowing that grading regulations are firmly established.

As league action approaches, these lists will play a vital role in shaping the competitiveness and fairness of competitions across the county.