Galway football championship round two predictions as several teams under pressure

The losers of Caltra’s clash with Milltown, Killannin against Claregalway, and Naomh Anna Leitir Móir’s meeting with Monivea-Abbey will be out if results don’t work out elsewhere. The winners of the other games in each group could cement their final eight places.

With St. James’ and Annaghdown drawing, Group 4 is more open. However, Oughterard will be gone if they lose, and Annaghdown beat Tuam Stars. The two opposite results will confirm the Stars as group winners.

​SATURDAY

GROUP 4

St. James’ vs Oughterard

(Pearse Stadium, 4pm)

St. James’ have recovered from losing big leads before, so conceding an eight-point lead to draw with Annaghdown won’t faze them. Full forward Jack Nolan got 0-8 while Jack O’Neill kicked four from midfield. Centre back Johnny Duane versus Matthew Tierney will be a factor in this critical contest.

Their 11-point loss to Tuam Stars was horrible for Oughterard who have doubts over Paddy Walsh (head), Killian Noone (knee) and Ronan Molloy (hamstring). Enda Tierney (knee) and Colin Forde (hamstring) are out. In good news, Eddie O’Sullivan, Devon and Adam Tierney all return for this must win match.

Verdict: Oughterard

GROUP 2

Caltra vs Milltown

(Tuam Stadium, 4.15pm)

Caltra were missing Rian Hennelly Ryan and Mikey Mulryan for their opening day loss to Bearna na Forbacha and neither are likely to be back. Gabriel Naughton’s team had seven different scorers with Kelan Murray, Alan and Owen Naughton sharing seven points and they’ll depend on all three to get back on track.

An injury to Niall Costello was a serious concern for Milltown in their defeat to Salthill-Knocknacarra. Substitute Eoin Larney (ankle) is a doubt. Liam Costello was instrumental in supplying forwards Mike Martin and Eoin Mannion, while Terry Godwin got their goal from midfield.

Verdict: Milltown

​GROUP 1

Killannin vs Claregalway

(Pearse Stadium, 5.45pm)

Both suffered heavy defeats and it’s hard to see the loser avoiding the relegation battle. Killannin have concerns over captain Cathal Sweeney, Ronan Caldwell and John McGauren as they try bounce back from a four-goal reversal against Mountbellew-Moylough. Some players have returned from summer sojourns in the USA, but others are still in Canada.

Top scorer against Corofin Jack Mullen (1-3) is injured for Claregalway, while Jason Reilly is suspended. Claregalway must remind themselves they led by two goals early on. Dara Whelan will try curtail Folan, while Jack Glynn will keep tabs on Kelly.

Verdict: Claregalway

​Corofin vs Mountbellew-Moylough

(Tuam Stadium, 6pm)

One can easily forget that Corofin’s 49-match unbeaten domestic run was ended by Mountbellew-Moylough in 2020, before the latter beat the same opponents in the following year’s final.

Even with nine changes from 2025, Liam and Darragh Silke inspired Corofin to run out 13-point victors against Claregalway, with Aaron Looney converting two two-pointers. Manager Gary Delaney reports a clean bill of health.

Mountbellew-Moylough have strength down the middle while forwards Leo Donnellan, Ciarán Mulhern and substitute Patrick Kelly excelled against Killannin. But Colm Mannion and Eoin Finnerty join Michael Daly on the injured list with Barry McHugh still suspended.

Verdict: Corofin

​SUNDAY

GROUP 3

Naomh Anna Leitir Móir vs Monivea-Abbey

(Pearse Stadium, 3pm)

Kasey O Ceallaigh, Ciarán Bairéad and Myles Mac Donnacha are all doubts for Naomh Anna Leitir Móir following a flat first day against Maigh Cuilinn. Even though they only got eight points, Warren Seoighe, Iarla Ó Curraoin, Dylan Seoighe, Oisín and Fionn Mac Donnacha are dangerous forwards.

Monivea-Abbey put in a stunning effort scoring 5-13 in a one-point reversal against Dunmore MacHales and the question is can they do it again? Glenn Kelly (2-9) was superb and will test opposing full back Evan Ó Flatharta. Trevor Mullins, Lee Kenny and Shane King were also among the goal scorers.

Verdict: Naomh Anna Leitir Móir

​Dunmore MacHales vs Moycullen (Kenny Park, 4.15pm)

Arguably the match of the round, Dunmore MacHales showed character in holding off Monivea-Abbey. Jack Jordan, Padraig Martyn and John Brady are out but in Colm and Padraig Costello, and midfielders Matthew Redington and Shane McGrath, they have four marquee players that shared 3-14 in their first day win.

Ger Davoren (USA) is back for Moycullen but there’s no news regarding Sean Kelly. All six forwards, including Fionn and Fiachra McDonagh, and Charlie Cox, tallied in their 11-point win over Naomh Anna Leitir Moir, while midfielders Paul Kelly and James McLoughlin shared six points.

Verdict: Moycullen

GROUP 2

Salthill-Knocknacarra vs Bearna na Forbacha

(Pearse Stadium, 4.45pm)

Despite eight changes from the last year, Salthill-Knocknacarra got the job done against Milltown two weeks ago and report no new concerns. John Maher led the charge from centre forward and he will go face-to-face with a returning Sean Fitzgerald, or Aaron Kavanagh.

Fitzgerald arrived for the final quarter in Bearna na Forbacha’s win over Caltra as they gave themselves a major shout at avoiding relegation worries. Niall Cox is injured meaning manager Ger Butler must think about who’ll mark Robert Finnerty. Another dominant midfield showing from Cian Hernon and Caolan Malone gives them a shout.

Verdict: Salthill-Knocknacarra

​GROUP 1

Annaghdown vs Tuam Stars

(Kenny Park, 6pm)

Substitute Conor Quinn’s 1-3 contribution, including a match saving two-pointer against St. James’ was the perfect tonic Annaghdown needed following a dismal 2025. He was their top scorer in a team that registered 10 points through Stephen Curley (4), Diarmuid Kilcommins (3) and wing back Olan Kelly (3), while Damien Comer led from the front.

Brian and Gary O’Donnell, and Conor Heneghan remain doubtful for Tuam Stars, but David Donnellan’s team had 12 scorers in their dismantling of Oughterard. Luke Davin kicked 1-6 with Jamie Murphy equally effective. Shay McGlinchey and Paul Collins have an ideal midfield mix.

Verdict: Tuam Stars