Clubs dicing between knock-out place or relegation tangle in Galway SHC

Craughwell also fight for survival against Cappataggle, with Oranmore-Maree and Castlegar another showdown to avoid relegation. Moycullen and Killimordaly are already destined for those play-offs.

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SATURDAY

GROUP 1

Loughrea vs Gort

(Kenny Park, 3.45pm)

A game to determine second and third, a draw will suffice for Loughrea. The two-time champions made four changes for their win over Moycullen with both Jack Shaughnessy and Martin McManus registering. Tommy Kelly’s team have still to hit their stride this term.

Gort have secured their senior status and pushed Tommy Larkins closer then the eight-point defeat suggested. Eoin Killeen is available and this joust with Loughrea will strengthen them for the next phase.

Verdict: Loughrea

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Moycullen vs Tommy Larkins (Pearse Stadium, 3.45pm)

A square ball denied Moycullen a potential match winning goal against Loughrea, sending them into relegation. James Bradley (0-11) top scored against the county champions but will need more support in that department.

Tommy Larkins are back in the quarter-finals with Ronan Murphy and Jason Flynn on fire in their two wins. Éanna Murphy’s puck outs have allowed others to flourish, including Cian Daniels and Kevin McHugo while they’ve a good spread of scorers.

Verdict: Tommy Larkins

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GROUP 2

Liam Mellows vs Clarinbridge

(Pearse Stadium, 5.30pm)

Both teams are already into the knockout stages, and the winner will likely top the group. Liam Mellows need a three-point win to ensure they advance to the quarter-finals, following their previous defeat to Craughwell. Cian Hynes (hamstring) remains out but stalwarts Adrian Morrissey (0-22) and Tadhg Haran (0-7) are capable of hitting big scores.

Avoiding defeat will see Clarinbridge win the group and they beat Cappataggle despite missing Darragh Counihan and Gavin Lee. Dylan Dunne stood out with two goals while TJ Brennan was exceptional with 0-4 from wing back. Both teams have strong midfield duos while it’ll be interesting to see if centre back Joshua Ryan picks up Morrissey.

Verdict: Clarinbridge

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Craughwell vs Cappataggle (Kenny Park, 5.30pm)

Craughwell could finish anywhere in the group. They’d need Liam Mellows to win a low scoring contest by exactly two points to possibly finish first. Either way, avoiding defeat will guarantee Ian Daniels’ charges a preliminary play-off. A four-point loss will keep them in if Mellows lose. Last year’s semi-finalists bounced back from a first day defeat to beat the city side but have doubts regarding Ger O’Halloran, Conor Geoghegan and James Greaney.

2024 finalists Cappataggle must win to avoid the relegation series for the second consecutive year and that margin might need to be five points or better. Injuries have hampered their season. Jarlath Mannion didn’t start against Clarinbridge while Eanna Garvey and Paul Claffey both departed early. In Daniel Nevin, Liam Collins and Oran Finn, they’ve a strong half forward line. Collins against Craughwell centre back Ryan Howley will tell much.

Verdict: Craughwell

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GROUP 4

Killimordaly vs Athenry (Duggan Park, 5.45pm)

With two defeats, Killimordaly are already in relegation while two victories have won the group for Athenry.

Killimordaly have missed Brian Concannon though Brian Burke (2-14) and Darren Daly (1-13) have tallied well. Thirty-nine points conceded against Turloughmore means more work is required in defence.

Losing Cian Hannon (cruciate) has been a blow for Athenry. Cian Burke (1-12) and Jason Rabbitte (1-8) have been leading lights while wing back Aodhan McDonagh impressed the last day.

Verdict: Athenry

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SUNDAY

GROUP 4

Turloughmore vs Ardrahan (Kenny Park, 2.15pm)

Another pairing to determine 2nd and 3rd, Turloughmore’s forwards were in flying form registering 39 points in beating Killimordaly. The league champions are without the injured Kevin Hussey but otherwise are good to go.

Ardrahan will likely miss Cianan Fahy following his red card against Athenry. Joe O’Leary’s team reduced a 10-point deficit to nearly save a draw. Donagh Fahy and Sean Gardiner have scored goals this campaign, but they may need more.

Verdict: Turloughmore

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GROUP 3

Sarsfields vs St. Thomas’ (Duggan Park, 4pm)

Both have knockout hurling ahead but one will be straight into the quarter-finals. Sarsfields need the win to overtake the current group leaders.

Joseph Cooney delivered a dominant centre back showing for Sarsfields against Oranmore-Maree and forms a strong line with Paddy MacCárthaigh and Niall Quinn, who replaced long-term injury Darren Murphy. New recruit Éanna Cooney (2-11) has caught the eye while Diarmuid MacCárthaigh and Alex Connaire can also do damage.

Eanna Burke’s battle with Cooney could decide this but St. Thomas’ showed their granite to deliver six goals in beating Castlegar, without Shane Cooney, Darren Farrell, and David Burke. The former All-Ireland winning Galway captain did make an appearance between the sticks but remains doubtful.

Verdict: St. Thomas’

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Oranmore-Maree vs Castlegar

(Kenny Park, 4pm)

Oranmore-Maree must win to stay in the championship. In that scenario, Castlegar will face the relegation play-offs.

The Sky Blues are still without Rory Burke while Niall Geoghegan missed their defeat to Sarsfields. They stayed in touch and had Ryan O’Donnell’s goal stood, it may have been different. The footballers rested the latter last week, and the attack is led by veteran Niall Burke (0-19). Gearóid McInerney’s battle with Darragh Neary will be crucial.

Castlegar report no absentees and Greg Thomas is available despite his red card from their Round 2 reversal against St. Thomas.’ Tomás Mannion’s side have depended on Ger Farragher (1-23) but the concession of six goals the last day is concerning. Cian Corcoran and Jack Coyne have delivered scoring cameos from the bench and are in contention. This game is ready made for a new name to steal the spotlight.

Verdict: Oranmore-Maree.