1.      The Carbery (South-West Cork) championships are governed by Treoraí Oifigiúil and the Byelaws of the Cork County Board.  

2.      The Junior A and Junior B football championships and the Junior A and Junior B hurling championships shall be run on a group/league system.

3.      The winners of the Junior A and Junior B football championships shall represent the Division in the County Junior A Football and Junior B Football Championship respectively. 

4.      The winners of the Junior A and Junior B hurling championships shall represent the Division in the County Junior A Hurling and Junior B Hurling Championship respectively.

5.      The winners of the divisional B championships shall also be eligible for promotion to junior A the following year unless the winning club already has a team competing at Junior A level. 

6.      If a team wins the county Junior B (open or confined) it shall automatically be promoted to Junior A unless the winning club already has a team competing at Junior A level.  

7.      There shall be relegation each season, except in exceptional circumstances, from Junior A to Junior B in both football and hurling.

8.      New championships are on a trial basis for three years, 2025, 2026 and 2027. 

9.      The CCC shall have power to make adjustments where necessary. The grading’s shall be taken from the previous year’s championship. At the conclusion of the championships, grading’s for the following year will be worked out in the following order:

a.       Group stages; 

b.      points accumulated; 

c.       scoring difference.

10.  A winner-on-the-day format is at the discretion of the CCC but may be used in all knockout games up to the final. If a final finishes level after extra time, a replay may take place, if time permits.  In a replayed final, it shall be winner-on-the-day, including penalties if necessary. 

1.      The Junior A football championship shall consist of sixteen teams.

2.      The championship shall be divided into 4 Roinn of 4 teams.

3.      Seeding

·         Teams 1-4 seeded A according to 2024 championship

·         Teams 5-8 seeded B according to 2024 championship.

·         Teams 9-12 seeded C according to 2024 championship.

·         Teams 13-16 seeded D according to 2024 championship.

·          

4.      Order of Playing Rounds -      

·         Round 1         A v D, B v C. 

·         Round 2         A v C,  B v D

·         Round 3         A v B, C v D      

5.      Playoffs:

Following the qualifying rounds, the top two teams from each group shall qualify for the knockout quarter-finals

 

6.      If   teams finish level on points at the end of the qualifying rounds, placings will be according to the Cork County Board  League and Championship Regulations 2025. (No. 2).  

 

7.      Relegation:    

·         There will be no play-offs. 

·         Relegation is automatic for the bottom team if a team is coming up from Junior B. 

·         The bottom team from each group may be subject to relegation, depending on their standing at the end of the group stage.

·         As there are so many different variables, additional teams may be relegated from Junior A to Junior B. Relegation will be determined by results from County Junior B, Carbery Junior B, Carbery County Junior A winners and County Premier Junior relegation

 

8.      If a team applies to be regraded from Junior A to Junior B, the decision shall be taken by the CCC.

9.      If a team has to be nominated to represent the division in the county championship, that team shall be selected in the following order  -   

·         the reigning champions, if still in the championship; 

·         if the reigning champions are gone from the championship, or unable to represent the division, then a single team through to the final shall be nominated; 

·         If 2 teams in the final, the highest placed of those two teams from the group stages;

·         If no team in the final, then highest placed team from the group stages still in the championship.

 

1.      10 Teams 

 

2.      Format –  One Section Open Draw – 3 games 

 

 

3.      Order of playing rounds

·         Rd 1             A v B               C v D              E v F               G v H              I v J 

·         Rd 2            A v E               B v C               G v F               D v I                H v J 

·         Rd 3             A v J                E v I                D v F               C v G              B v H  

 

4.      Play-off -  6 qualify -  Top 2 directly into semi-finals -  next 4 into two quarter-finals.

 

5.      Promotion -  

 

·         The winner(s) of the county confined B and the open county are automatically promoted. 

·         The winner of Carbery championship to be promoted but may appeal to the CCC to remain in B for the following year. 

·         If a team wins the Carbery championship two years in a row, they are automatically promoted.

6.      Relegation -  There is no relegation from the junior B championship. A team may request to regrade to C, at the discretion of the CCC. 

7.    If a team has to be nominated to represent the division in the county championship, that team shall be selected as follows  -  

·         If only one team in the final, that team shall be nominated;

·         If 2 teams in the final, higher placed team of the two in the group stages;

·         If no team in the final, highest placed team in the group stagesstill in the championship.

 

1.      Format and timing to be decided each season by the CCC according to number of teams and time available. 

2.      The C championship winner may apply to be upgraded to B, but are not automatically promoted.  If they win the C championship twice in three years and the club does not have a team already in B, they are automatically upgraded to B. 

3.      Junior C Football is 13 a-side. 

1.      U.21 Football Championships will be organised each season by the Carbery (SW) Board.

2.      The format and timing – , gradings, groups, backdoor or straight knock-out -  will be decided by the CCC, in accordance with Co. Board guidelines. 

3.      For 2025, 

·         the A grade shall comprise 8 teams; 

·         the B Grade shall comprise 6 teams; 

·         the C grade shall comprise 7 teams. 

 

4.      This will be a straight knock competition for all grades

5.      According to County Board guidelines the 2025 football championships are confined to weekends   8th/9th ,   15th/16th   and   22nd/23rd   February. 

6.      Independent teams will be allowed to participate in the U.21 Football Championships, subject to county committee ratification. 

7.      Grade C  is 13 a-side

8.      All knockout games up to the final are winner-on-the-day (including extra time and penalties). 

9.      A drawn Final will go to extra time but the CCC will have decided beforehand whether it should then go to penalties or a replay, depending on circumstances. A replayed drawn Final will go to extra time and penalties.  

10.  U.17 players are allowed to compete in U.21 championships.  

 

1.      12 TEAMS     Three groups of four teams.

 

2.      Seeding

·         Teams 1-4 seeded A according to 2024 championship

·         Teams 5-8 seeded B according to 2024 championship

·         Teams 9-12 seeded C according to 2024 championship

                                 

3.      Order of Playing Rounds - 

·         Round 1          A v D, B v C.  

·         Round 2          A v C, B v D

·         Round 3          A v B, C v D

4.      Qualifiers -  Top two group winners qualify for semi-finals. Third group winner plus second team from each group contest two quarter-finals. 

 

5.      Relegation:    

·         There will be no playoffs.

·         Relegation is automatic for the bottom team if a team is coming up from Junior B.

·         The bottom team from each group may be subject to relegation, depending on their standing at the end of the group stage.

·         As there are so many different variables, additional teams may be relegated from Junior A to Junior B. Relegation will be determined by results from County Junior B, Carbery Junior B, Carbery County Junior A winners and County Premier Junior relegation

7        If   teams finish level on points at the end of the qualifying rounds, placings will be according to the Cork County Board League and Championship Regulations 2025. (No. 2).  

8        If a team applies to be regraded from Junior A to Junior B, the decision shall be taken by the CCC. 

9        If a team has to be nominated to represent the division in the county championship, that team shall be selected in the following order  -   

 

·         the reigning champions, if still in the championship; 

·         if the reigning champions are gone from the championship, or unable to represent the division, then a single team through to the final shall be nominated; 

·         If 2 teams in the final, the highest placed of those two teams from the group stages;

·         If no team in the final, then highest placed team from the group stages still in the championship

 

1.      7 Teams  

2.      Open draw -  Each Teams gets four games -  5 Rounds  

3.      Order of playing rounds

 

·         Rd 1                A v B               C v D              E v F               G bye

·         Rd 2                A v E               B v C               G v F               D bye

·         Rd 3                A v F               E v B               D v F               C bye

·         Rd 4                B v D              E v G               F v C               A bye    

·         Rd 5                4 byes team’s   G v D              C v A 

 

4.      Each team gets four games, with four of the seven teams getting a rest weekend. Top 4 qualify for semi-finals (1 v 4, 2 v 3) (Avoid repeat pairings if possible) 

 

5.      Promotion

a.       The winner(s) of the county confined B and the open county are automatically promoted. 

b.      The winner of Carbery championship to be promoted but may appeal to the CCC to remain in B for the following year. 

c.       If a team wins the Carbery championship two years in a row, they are automatically promoted.

·         If only one team in the final, that team shall be nominated;

·         If 2 teams in the final, higher placed team of the two in the qualifiers;

·         If no team in the final, highest placed team in the qualifiers still in the championship.

 

1.      Format and timing to be decided each season by the CCC, according to number of teams and time available. 

2.      There is no automatic promotion, and no relegation from Junior C. The CCC will decide on promoting junior C teams to Junior B, depending on results and circumstances. 

3.      Junior C Hurling is 13 a-side. 

1.      U.21 Hurling Championships will be organised each season by the Carbery (SW) Board.

2.      The format and timing – , grading’s, groups, backdoor or straight knock-out -  will be decided by the CCC, in accordance with Co. Board guidelines. 

9.      This will be a straight knock competition for all grades

10.  U21 Hurling start date will be determined County Board 

11.  Independent teams will be allowed to participate in the U.21 Hurling Championships, subject to county committee ratification. 

12.  Grade C  is 13 a-side. 

13.  All knockout games up to the final are winner-on-the-day (including extra time and penalties). 

14.  A drawn Final will go to extra time but the CCC will have decided beforehand whether it should then go to penalties or a replay, depending on circumstances. A replayed drawn Final will go to extra time and penalties.  

15.  U.17 players are allowed to compete in U.21 championships.  

(1)   Jerseys should be clearly numbered properly, front and back. Failure to comply with this rule may incur a €50 fine for every championship game in which the faulty jerseys are worn.

(2)   Clubs are required to dress uniformly i.e. matching socks and shorts in their registered club colours. Failure to with this rule may incur a €50 fine.

(3)   Official Team List, in Irish, to be supplied to referee prior to commencement of game.

(4)   The maximum number of Officials allowed into the pitch area for the game (including two Water Carriers (Football) and two Water/Hurley Carriers (Hurling), is to be 12 persons. There should be no exceptions to this rule. The host club should issue the relevant passes to an officer of each competing club, once they arrive at the venue.

(5)   Team panel  admitted to the pitch area is limited to a maximum of 30 players, 15 starting and 15 substitutes. This limit also applies to the listing in the match programme.  

(6)   With the exception of the Bainisteoir, the Medical Officer and the two Water or Water/Hurley Carriers (who are to be provided with distinguishing bibs by their clubs), all other Substitutes and Officials, shall remain seated at all times during play. Where dugouts are not big enough, the host club should provide seats for the Substitutes and Officials.

(7)   The Bainisteoir may go along the sideline between the two 45m lines to issue instructions, after which he/she must return to the area in front of his/her own team’s dug out. He/she must not enter the field of play for any purpose.

(8)   Non-playing Officials to be over the age of 18.

(9)   Injuries -  A Team Medical Official, having obtaining the expressed permission of the referee (who may delegate authority to his linesmen), may enter the field to examine an injured player. No other Team Official shall enter the field of the play for this purpose.Minor injuries must be treated off the field. If a blood substitute is required, the substitute may not enter the field of play until the injured player has left and the referee/fourth official has signalled his approval. 

(10)                       Two Water Carriers (Football) or two Hurley/Water Carriers (Hurling) are permitted per team. Such carriers are to be positioned between the 20m and 65m. Water Carriers are not permitted to enter the field of the play. They may only approach the sidelines to dispense water to a player. In Hurling, Water/Hurley Carriers may enter the field with a replacement hurley, when necessary, but may not enter the field of play with water at any stage – they may only approach the sideline to dispense water.

(11) Substitutes Slips are to be presented by the Team Official to the linesperson or 4th Official. Substitutions, according to Rule, may only be made during a break in play. 5 substitutes are permitted in Football and 5 in Hurling.

(12) Clash of Jerseys/Colours  -   Both clubs are required to wear their registered alternative colours or nominated other colours. CCC to be informed of colours at least 5 days before the game.

(13) Both Teams are requested to be on the pitch 10 minutes before the start of the game.

(14) Warm-up during the game – Substitutes may warm up on the side-line area between the end line and the 20m line. A maximum of three substitutes may warm up at any one time, wearing a bib/top different/distinct from the team jerseys. No hurleys, sliotars or footballs may be used along the side-line during the warm-up. 

(15) Video Recordings Permission – See “Cork GAA Competition Regulations 2025.”(Cork County Board)   Number 7. 

(16) Team list to be submitted for match programme to host club when requested by the host club.

(1) National flag to be flown at all Championship Games.

(2) Pitch to be properly lined and flagged (as per Official Guide). For Health & Safety of players please ensure that the end-line/side-lines are at least 2 metres from the perimeter fencing of pitch.

(3) Hosting clubs to produce a programme for all Championship Games. Please ensure you include name of competition, competition sponsor’s name and logo where necessary, the name of both teams, referee and his club name, all to be in Irish along with the date, time & venue of game. 

(4). Clubs to have access to stretcher if required and numbers for South Doc or local doctors if they have to be contacted.

(5) Scoreboard to be fully operational at all Championship games, if possible.

(6) Please ensure there are an adequate number of ticket sellers at the entrances to your grounds. 

(7) All gate receipts to be lodged within 3 days, using the lodgement card supplied to each club by the Board Cisteoir , to A.I.B. BANDON. Bank Account No: 07101013 09; Sort Code 934046/

Lodgement slips and unsold tickets to be returned to Cisteoir within 2 weeks by post or at next board meeting if within 2 weeks.

(8) Only the current year’s Carbery (South West) Junior Board passes, specially coloured, are permitted. County Board or other passes are not acceptable at SW Board games.

(9) Please ensure that they are enough stewards/car parking attendants present at the venue.

 

(1) Referee to be at venue in good time to prepare for commencement of game.

(2) Referee to be on the pitch 10 minutes before the start of the game.

(3) Referee should ensure he has a full complement of officials – 2 linesmen (kitted out properly) & 4 umpires (with white coats), where possible.

(5) The Referee is responsible for returning all match results, having consulted with his officials. Referee will receive Text message regarding Championship fixture prior to game. 

The Referee should complete and return this message immediately after the game, having checked the final score with his officials. This is to ensure that results on the Board’s website, and the Media, are kept up to date. 

(11) While it is expected that the Referee’s club will supply umpires and linesmen, the host club may be asked to supply umpires or linesmen for the referee

 

(1)  All correspondence in relation to fixtures is to be submitted through the Club Secretary’s official email to the Carbery Secretary’s official email. (secretary.carbery.cork@gaa.ie)

(2) A postponement for the death of a player on the panel or a club officer may be granted, with a re-fixture to take place within 72 hours, if possible. All other requests for postponements will be considered by, and are at the discretion of, the CCC.

(3).  Postponements or changes of dates; Dates of events, which are known well in advance, should be made known to the secretary of the Board before 2nd April

(4)  Second teams of senior, intermediate, premier junior or junior A clubs, may be requested to play on the same day as their first teams.

(5) Junior teams may be requested to play the same week or weekend as the Carbery divisional team. 

(6)  The CCC has the final say in all fixture-making.