All you need ahead to know of Galway Senior Football Championship Quarter-Finals

A fixture of even more importance in Pearse Stadium on Saturday is the relegation final between Caltra and Naomh Anna Leitir Moir (5pm). Caltra are trying to avoid going down after just one year in the top-flight, while the west Galway men want to preserve their five year stay.

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Saturday

Corofin vs Monivea-Abbey (Tuam Stadium, 3.15pm)

Aaron Looney remains out but otherwise Corofin are fully fit. Gary Delaney’s charges left the three group games with a 100% record and will hope three more will help them regain the title they surrendered last year.

Monivea-Abbey are already in the plus column for 2026 after needing a penalty shoot-out victory to survive relegation last year. That spot-kick experience came in useful to reach a first quarter-final since 2017.

Talisman Glenn Kelly (2-31) is the championship’s top scorer, but there are concerns over Lee Kenny and Cillian McDaid, while Jamie Burke and Shane King have had recent injuries. A red card puts Darragh Burke’s involvement in jeopardy.

Verdict: Corofin

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Annaghdown vs Claregalway

(Tuam Stadium, 5pm)

After fighting to survive in 2025, Annaghdown have shown tremendous courage this year in splitting two tight battles while also taking down Tuam Stars to emerge as group winners.

Damien Comer has provided opponents headaches whether in midfield or full-forward. Indeed, where he lines out and how Annaghdown supply him will be critical for them to reach a first semi-final in four years.

Eanna Monaghan is back for Claregalway and should slot into the middle third. Cillian Callaghan, Jack Mullen and Dave Tarmey will undergo last fitness tests before Saturday’s showdown.

Claregalway bounced back from a first day blow against Corofin to win three consecutive games. However, their first half display against Bearna na Forbacha, where they went two goals down, is a cause for concern.

But with Mullen from the bench, Dara Whelan in defence, and Owen Morgan upfront, they ran out comfortable 3-15 to 2-17 winners.

Annaghdown also have their players who can direct this fixture. Goalkeeper James Healy has only dropped two goals while Galway U-20 wing-back Olan Kelly is a contender for player of the year.

Verdict: Claregalway

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Sunday

Salthill-Knocknacarra vs Oughterard

(Pearse Stadium, 3.15pm)

Salthill-Knocknacarra are carrying multiple concerns as they return to championship action with Niall Hanahoe, Tomo Culhane, Cathal Sweeney and Mark Mannion all doubtful for Sunday.

John Maher and Robert Finnerty both received All-Star nominations this week and they’ll be the key attacking figures, along with Matthew Thompson. Maher’s meeting with Matthew Tierney, or James Webb, in midfield will be intriguing.

Many pundits dismissed Oughterard’s credentials after their first day loss to Tuam Stars. But they are unbeaten since and showed nerves of steels to overcome Dunmore MacHales (1-20 to 1-19) and two black cards, to reach a third consecutive quarter-final.

Killian Noone (ankle) is out while James Lowry (hamstring) is a doubt. The Monaghans (Cian and Ryan) and the Lees (Niall and Eric) have been crucial in Oughterard’s revival sharing 2-34.

It must be remembered that this is their third clash in 2026 and Oughterard came through both times, including relegating Salthill-Knocknacarra in the Division 1 play-off.

Verdict: Salthill-Knocknacarra

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Maigh Cuilinn vs Mountbellew-Moylough

(Pearse Stadium, 5pm)

Maigh Cuilinn come into the quarter-final without captain David Wynne who’s ruled out through injury. In better news, manager Cathal Clancy welcomes back Dessie Conneely which will add to their fire power.

The reigning champions are used to four week breaks and qualified this year with maximum points with centre forward Niall Walsh a contender for player of the year. His meeting with Mountbellew-Moylough’s Tony Shields will be interesting.

Mountbellew-Moylough’s 0-20 to 0-13 victory over Tuam Stars was season defining, but Damien McHugh’s squad will want more. However, they remain without James Foley (knee) while Michael Daly (hamstring) is a doubt.

Ciarán Mulhern has assumed a leadership role in an attack that contains 2021 county championship winners. Mulhern could meet county team mate Sean Kelly in another critical match up.

Paul Kelly and Ger Davoren will be favourites in midfield for Maigh Cuilinn, and can Johnny Moloney and Sean O’Connor get change out of Michael Burke or John Daly. Mountbellew-Moylough’s Billy Mannion will relish tracking Fiachra McDonagh.

Verdict: Maigh Cuilinn