Celtic Cup Finals 2026: Drama, Comebacks and Champions Crowned in Dublin

The 25/26 Celtic Cup Finals delivered a weekend of high-quality international handball, fierce competition, and an electric atmosphere at the National Basketball Arena.

With over 200 spectators in attendance for Semi-Finals Day alone, the energy in the arena reflected the continued growth of the sport across Ireland and Scotland. From dominant displays to last-minute comebacks and penalty drama, the weekend showcased the very best of Celtic handball.

Semi-Finals: Intensity from Start to Finish

The women’s competition opened with a commanding performance from Tryst 77, who secured a 37:22 victory over EK82 to book their place in the final.

The second women’s semi-final proved to be one of the closest contests of the day. Dublin City Handball (DCH) and Edinburgh went goal-for-goal in a balanced, end-to-end encounter, with Dublin City narrowly edging the match 21:20 in the closing stages.

In the men’s competition, the drama intensified.

Dublin City Handball faced Kelvinside in a fiercely contested semi-final. Trailing late in the game, DCH mounted a remarkable comeback in the final five minutes to turn the match around and secure a 24:21 victory, winning by three goals and earning their place in the final.

The second men’s semi-final between Dublin International Handball Club (DIHC) and Tryst HC was equally compelling. The match finished level at full time, forcing a penalty shootout. DIHC held their nerve under pressure to claim a 31:29 win after penalties, securing their place in the final and continuing their strong run of form.

By the end of the day, two Irish men’s teams and one Irish women’s team had progressed to the finals — a significant milestone for the domestic game.

Finals Day: Champions Crowned

Finals Day brought another outstanding display of competition, with national pride and Celtic titles on the line.

Final Standings

🏆 Men’s Competition

• Gold – Dublin City Handball (Ireland)

• Silver – Dublin International Handball Club (Ireland)

• Bronze – Tryst HC (Scotland)

An all-Ireland men’s final marked a historic moment for the competition, highlighting the continued development and strength of the men’s game domestically.

🏆 Women’s Competition

• Gold – Tryst (Scotland)

• Silver – Dublin City Handball (Ireland)

• Bronze – Edinburgh HC (Scotland)

Tryst delivered a composed and confident performance to secure the women’s title, while Dublin City’s silver medal finish reflects the competitiveness and progression of the Irish women’s game.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 Celtic Cup Finals once again demonstrated the value of consistent cross-border competition between Ireland and Scotland. Matches were competitive throughout, standards continue to rise, and the rivalry remains strong in what has become an important annual fixture in the calendar.

The Celtic Cup will return in October, with the group stages once again hosted in Dublin. The Irish representatives for next season are still to be decided, with the winners of the Senior League earning the opportunity to compete against Scotland in the next edition of this annual competition. The race for qualification is now firmly underway.

Olympic Handball Ireland would like to thank all participating clubs, match officials, volunteers, and supporters who contributed to a successful weekend. We also extend our appreciation to the Scottish Handball Association for their continued partnership and collaboration in delivering the Celtic Cup.

Finally, special thanks to Spiideo for their support in livestreaming the entire event. You can relive the action via YouTube.

We look forward to building on this year’s competition when the next chapter begins in October.