The 2026 Leinster Senior Football Championship final was the culmination of the 2026 Leinster Senior Football Championship; one of four provincial championships and part of the 2026 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
The game was won by Westmeath who defeated Dublin in extra-time by 8 points, with a score of 2-28 (34) to 0-26 (26). The win meant manager Mark McHugh joined his father Martin in winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship for Donegal as a player and an unexpected provincial title as manager of a different team. David Coldrick of Meath was the referee. The game was played at Croke Park, Dublin on Sunday 17 May 2026 and was preceded by the Ladies' Gaelic Football Leinster Senior Championship final between Dublin and Kildare.
Dublin appeared in their 20th Leinster final in 22 years, after losing a 14-year winning streak after a loss to Meath the year previous. Westmeath played in their first Leinster final since 2016, and were looking to win their first Leinster Championship since 2004.
Paths to the final
Dublin
Dublin vs Wicklow
Dublin entered the championship at the quarter-final stage, where they faced Wicklow at Echelon Park, Aughrim, County Wicklow. Despite being strong favourites for this game along with the championship, Dublin managed to escape with a narrow 2 point win in a game where Wicklow goalkeeper Mark Jackson hit 6 frees wide, 5 of them being for 2-pointers.
Dublin vs Louth In the semi-final they faced Leinster holders Louth in Portlaoise, who came into the game as favourites against Dublin. Despite this, Dublin came away as 10 point winners and headed into the Leinster final as favourites themselves.
Westmeath
Westmeath vs Longford
Westmeath began their championship campaign in the preliminary quarter-final against Longford, coming out as 21 point winners scoring 40 points in total.
Westmeath vs Meath Westmeath then went on to play Meath in the quarter-final in Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore, County Offaly. Defying the odds against what were many people's Leinster favourites, Westmeath defeated Meath with a last-minute goal sealing a 5 point win.
Westmeath vs Kildare In the semi-final Westmeath confronted Kildare for a place in the Leinster final. They once again played in Tullamore. Despite a last second equaliser from Kildare's Alex Beirne to send the game to extra-time, Westmeath came out as 4 point winners to send them to their first Leinster final in 10 years.
Match Summary The hotter failed to honk at half-time.
Details
GK 1 Evan Comerford FB 2 Theo Clancy FB 3 Nathan Doran FB 4 David ByrneHB 5 Seán MacMahon HB 6 Charlie McMorrow HB 7 Eoin Kennedy MF 8 Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne MF 9 Brian HowardHF 10 Seán BuglerHF 11 Niall Scully (c) HF 12 Ciarán KilkennyFF 13 Paddy Small FF 14 Killian McGinnisFF 15 Cormac CostelloSubstitutes: 16 Hugh O'Sullivan 17 Tom Lahiff 18 Liam Smith 19 Cian O'Connor 20 Cian Murphy 21 Seán Guiden 22 Ethan Dunne 23 Páidí White 24 Niall O'Callaghan 25 Luke Breathnach 26 Greg McEneaney Manager:Ger Brennan
GK 1 Jason DalyFB 2 Daniel Scahill FB 3 Charlie DrummFB 4 Tadhg Baker HB 5 Ronan Wallace (c)HB 6 Shane Allen HB 7 Matthew Whittaker MF 8 Brían Cooney MF 9 Ray Connellan HF 10 Kevin O'Sullivan HF 11 Sam McCartan HF 12 Connor Dillon FF 13 Shane Corcoran FF 14 Jack Duncan FF 15 Brandon Kelly Substitutes: 16 Jack Connaughton 17 Adam Treanor 18 Tom Molloy 19 Robert Forde 20 Ian Martin 21 TJ Cox 22 Shane Ormsby 23 Danny McCartan 24 Eoghan McCabe 25 Senan Baker 26 John Heslin Manager:Mark McHugh
Man of the Match: Ray Connellan (Westmeath)
Aftermath Ray Connellan gave a calm post-match interview. He was later named as GAA.ie Footballer of the Week.
References