PREVIEW: Meet the 16 Teams Chasing Galway Senior Football Championship Glory

Group One: Corofin, Claregalway, Killannin and Moutbellew Moylough.

Corofin: Once again, you can never write off Corofin, they have always been at the business end of the championship. Winners of the Galway SFC in 2023 and 2024, they will be aiming to get their hands back on Frank Fox this season. Gary Delaney enter his second year in charge of Corofin, Sligo native Gerry McGowan remains part of his coaching ticket. County men Dylan McHugh, Kieran Molloy, Liam Silke and Patrick Egan remain vital players for Corofin, while Ross Coen, Vinny Gill, Killian Joyce and Aaron Looney all look set to have breakout seasons for Delaney’s side.

Predicted finish in group: 1st

Clargalway: The joint management team of Austin Sammon and Alan Daly saw Claregalway make real strides during their Division One league campaign which saw them reach the league semi-final. The Balchies have been a real dominant force at underage level and the next step for Claregalway is to make an impact at senior level. Jack Glynn is a key player in defence for Claregalway, while further forward Jason Reilly, Jack Lonergan, Conor Flaherty, Jack Mullen and Matthew Collins will cause plenty of problems for defences throughout the Championship.

Predicted finish in group: 2nd

Moutbellew Moylough: Damien McHugh comes in as manager of Moutbellew Moylough this season. He has brought in Kilkerrin Clonberne clubman Johnny Ryan as coach of the team. Last won Frank Fox in 2021 and they still produce plenty of quality to beat any team on their day. Moutbellew Moylough sharpshooter Barry McHugh will be absent through suspension during opening two rounds of the Galway SFC and his loss will be a blow. However, Galway footballers Ciaran Mulhern and John Daly along with Billy Mannion, James Foley and Colin Ryan form an impressive spine. The return of Eoin Finnerty to full fitness and the addition of Galway U20 hurler Michael Burke are timely additions for McHugh’s charges.

Predicted finish finish in group: 3rd

Killannin: Produced a solid championship campaign last season, pushing Tuam Stars all the way in the Galway SFC quarter-final, where the Stars only edged past Killannin after extra time. However, with Johnny Heaney, Dara Walsh and Ryan Roche all away in America, their availability remains in doubt for the opening round of this year's championship. Former Galway manager Kevin Walsh and Dave Melia will be looking to the experience of brothers Patrick and Cathal Sweeney, along with wing-back Brian Mitchell and forward Enda Kelly, to lead the way.

Predicted finish in group: 4th

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Group two: Salthill Knocknacarra, Milltown, Bearna Na Forbacha and Caltra

Salthill Knocknacarra: Beaten in last year’s county final to Maigh Cuillinn, Salthill Knocknacarra will be looking to go one step further than last season. However, it has been a challenging few months for Finian Hanley having Cathal Sweeney, Tomo Culhane and Charlie Power all away. Hanley is still able to call on Galway stars including Rob Finenrty, John Maher and Daniel O’Flaherty. Matthew Thomposon is getting closer to full fitness after missing the inter-county with an ankle injury. Former Galway goalkeeper Ruairi Lavelle has also returned to Salthill Knocknacarra and has wore the number one jersey for the city club throughout the league.

Predicted finish in group: 1st

Milltown: Milltown will fancy their chances of finishing top spot in group two. Eoin Godwin remains in charge of ‘The Scans’. Milltown will still look to the experience of Mike Martin and Mark Hehir, while Liam Costello, Jack Kirrane and Eoin Mannion are now real leaders for Milltown. Former Galway minors Andrew Kehoe and Darragh Costello are both now able to play adult football for Milltown and the introduction of both players is set to give the North Galway club a significant boost.

Predicted finish in group: 2nd

Bearna Na Forbacha: Ger Butler comes in as manager replacing Galway minor football manager Cossie Gilmore. It still remains unclear whether Sean Fitzgerald will be part of the panel having competed in the TV reality show ‘Love Island’. Cian Hernon who had impressive inter county season with Galway will be aiming to continue his form and after being involved with Galway earlier in the year Aaron Kavanagh will hoping another club campaign can help him makes his inter-county breakthrough. Much of the scoring return will rely on Tom Curran, a good start is vital for Bearna having been involved in the relegation semi finals in recent seasons.

Predicted finish in group: 3rd

Caltra: Caltra make their return to senior football after spending the last eight years in the intermediate ranks. The 2025 Intermediate county champions know an improvement is needed on their league performances, which saw them relegated from Division 3A. Gabriel Naughton has plenty of talent to call upon, including Galway U20 captain Mikey Mulryan, goalkeeper Odhran Loughrey, along with sharpshooters Alan Naughton and Shaun Keane. Naughton's side will be targeting a win in their opening game and will be hoping to hit the ground running on their return to senior football.

Predicted finish in group: 4th

Group Three: Maigh Cuilinn, Leitir Moir, Dunmore MacHales and Monivea Abbey

Maigh Cuilinn: Maigh Cuilinn remain finely poised to go after winning back-to-back Galway SFC titles for the first time in their club’s history this year. Cathal Clancy’s side have been strenghtened by the return of Owen Gallagher. Former Galway footballer Owen Gallagher has transferred back to Maigh Cuilinn from his club St Joseph’s in Antrim. Former Leitrim goalkeeper Nevin O'Donnell has also joined Maigh Cuilinn this season. Peter Cooke, Dessie Conneely and Sean Kelly are all currently away but are expected to be back for Maigh Cuilinn later in the championship. Paul Kelly and James McLaughlin had solid league campaigns for the county champions, while Fionn McDonagh and Sean O’Connor who were both on the fringes of the Galway panel will be out with a point to prove.

Predicted finish in group: 1st

Dunmore MacHales: Michael Halliday takes charge of Dunmore MacHales this season following the departure of Dennis Fallon, while former Galway minor manager Alan Glynn continues as coach for a second year. Three successive promotions have secured the Shafts' place in Division One, but they will be eager to bounce back after last year's championship ended in a heavy quarter-final defeat to Corofin. With proven performers throughout the team, including goalkeeper Conor Gleeson, defenders Sean Murray and Matthew Reddington, and attacking threats Padraig and Colm Costello along with Shane McGrath, Dunmore MacHales will believe they have the quality to challenge for a place in the last four.

Predicted finish in group: 2nd

Leitir Moir: Leitir Moir have steadily built over recent seasons but will also have regrets with the way last year ended in a narrow preliminary quarter final defeat to Dunmore MacHales. Maitias Éoin Bairéad and Oisin Mac Donnacha were both drafted into the Galway panel on the back of impressive club seasons in 2025. Kasey Ó Ceallaigh was also involved with Padraic Joyce’s side at the start of last year and manager Alan Murphy will be hoping these three players can push onto a new level after getting a taste of inter-county football. They’re well capable of producing a shock throughout this year’s championship.

Predicted finish in group: 3rd

Monivea-Abbey: Monivea-Abbey avoided relegation last season with victory over Bearna in the SFC relegation semi-final and will be eager to make a positive start to this year's championship as they look to steer clear of another battle at the bottom. Peter Maher takes over as manager from Bunt Roche, while former Corofin footballer Justin Burke, who was involved as joint manager at the beginning of the season, has since stepped away. Cillian McDaid remains Monivea-Abbey's standout player, while Glenn Kelly's accuracy from placed balls will again be a key weapon. After gaining valuable game time with Galway during the FBD League, Darragh Burke will also be hoping to kick on this season.

Predicted finish in group: 4th

Group 4: Tuam Stars, St James, Oughterard and Annaghdown.

Tuam Stars: Tuam Stars have fallen short at the semi final stage in the past two seasons. Dave Donnellan’s side have shown progress in the last two years winning back-to-back Division one league titles. The Stars will be keen to get their hands on Frank Fox for the first time since 1994, they have came close in recent seasons but they will now be hoping this is the year they can get over the line. Jamie Murphy returning is another boost for Donnellan’s side, Gary O’Donnell remains an injury concerns for the early stages of the championship. Shay McGlinchey and Dara Heneghan were both back in action for Tuam Stars in the league final after Galway’s exit to Dublin. Brian Mannion, Conor Doherty, Rory O'Connor and Jack Grugan all impressed during Tuam Stars' league campaign and will be key figures once again in the championship.

Predicted finish in group: 1st

St James: Losing the Division two league semi final to St Michaels was a real setback for St James which saw them miss out on promotion to Division one. Darragh Leonard and Eoin Concannon continue as joint managers of the Mervue based club. The city club have been boosted by the transfers of Ruairi King (Clifden) and Colin Kelly (Corofin) into the club. Paul Conroy and Jack O’Neill will both be back in action for St James and both players will look to have big club campaigns. Brian Kane, Jonah Cuilligan and Dale Masterson will provide the Jimmies with a strong spine as they look to make an impact in this year's championship.

Predicted finish in group: 2nd

Oughterard: Oughterard have consistently established themselves as a top-eight side in the Galway SFC in recent seasons. Diarmuid Lee remains at the helm of the Corribdale club, with the experience of Eddie O'Sullivan and Ronan Molloy continuing to be vital. Oughterard also possess plenty of attacking quality through Matthew and Enda Tierney, Ryan and Cian Monaghan, and Eric and Niall Lee. The next step for Lee's side is to turn that consistency into a genuine challenge for a place in the last four.

Predicted finish in group: 3rd

Annaghdown: Annaghdown found themselves in the relegation battle last season and appear to be a side in transition. The retirement of Frankie Burke is a significant loss for the men in maroon and white. Mayo native Norman O'Brien is into his third year in charge of the club and has added former Mayo footballer Michael Conroy to his backroom team. They were also without Damien Comer for much of last year's championship, with the Galway attacker missing the majority of the campaign through injury. If Comer is available this time around, it would be a huge lift for Annaghdown, while his presence could also help bring emerging players such as Eoin Newell and Stephen Curley into games. Former Galway senior footballer Ciaran Duggan also featured for Annaghdown during the league.

Predicted finish in group: 4th