PREVIEW: Quest for Frank Fox Cup kicks off with eight first round ties

Stand out ties include Corofin’s clash with Claregalway, Oughterard taking on Tuam Stars, and Milltown’s meeting with Salthill-Knocknacarra. All could have a major say on what team tops their respective groups.

There are four groups of four. The winners after three rounds go straight into the quarter-finals, while 2nd and 3rd cross-play in the preliminary play-offs. Four bottom teams will fight it out to avoid relegation.

Intermediate champions Caltra battle Bearna na Forbacha in a crucial opener. Annaghdown and St. James,’ plus Killannin versus Mountbellew-Moylough are other important ties.

And Monivea-Abbey will hope to upset the odds against Dunmore MacHales. It’s all set up for a rollercoaster three months to see who takes Galway football’s top prize.

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

FRIDAY

GROUP 1

Corofin vs Claregalway (Kenny Park, 7.30pm)

Possibly the match of the round, this is their third meeting this year with one win each. Corofin are without keeper Bernard Power this year but otherwise, manager Gary Delaney reports a full squad including Galway seniors Kieran Molloy, Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh and Brian Cogger.

Claregalway have lost Darran Hennessy for 2026 and are without full backs Conor Campbell (USA) and the injured Mark King on Friday. Barry Goldrick’s return has been ruined with an ACL. When they met in 2024, Corofin won 2-9 to 0-9.

Verdict: Corofin

Killannin vs Mountbellew-Moylough (Pearse Stadium, 7.30pm)

Following the death of Gay O’Brien last December, selectors Dave Melia and Kevin Walsh have stepped up as joint managers but begin without Ronan Caldwell (injury), Johnny Heaney, Dara Walsh, Ryan Roche and Ruairi Greene.

After winning a junior hurling title, Damien McHugh now takes the club’s football bib from Fergal O’Donnell. Michael Daly returns but misses Friday (injury) along with Colin Murray, Eoin Finnerty, Michael Kelly and Barry McHugh. Killannin came from 11 points down in last year’s preliminary quarter-final to win 3-10 to 1-15.

Verdict: Mountbellew-Moylough

​GROUP 2

Milltown vs Salthill-Knocknacarra (Tuam Stadium, 7.30pm)

Milltown maintained their top flight league status as they seek to improve on not reaching the final eight in 2025. Ciarán Blake (injury) is out while Eoin Godwin’s team welcomes Dara Costello, Andrew Kehoe and Sean Wogan.

Salthill-Knocknacarra will have John Maher back after missing last year’s final through injury. Galway seniors Daniel O’Flaherty and Robert Finnerty also return to Finian Hanley’s squad. The city side will be determined to improve on Division 1 relegation. Salthill-Knocknacarra were 2-14 to 3-9 victors when they last met back in 2019.

Verdict: Salthill-Knocknacarra

​SATURDAY

GROUP 2

Caltra vs Bearna Na Forbacha (Kenny Park, 4.15pm)

Last year’s intermediate champions take on the 2025 relegation finalists. Caltra return to top flight football without long-term injury victims Luke Burke and Robbie Greene. Manager Gabriel Naughton is also without Robert and Mark Kelly this term.

Ger Butler replaces Cossie Gilmore at Bearna na Forbacha and they will be missing Seán Fitzgerald. Aaron Kavanagh and the injured Oisin Gormally are also unavailable. Niall Cox has rejoined the squad. Caltra beat Barna in 2015 but with Galway senior Cian Hernon, the west Galway side might edge this.

Verdict: Bearna na Forbacha

​GROUP 4

Oughterard vs Tuam Stars (Pearse Stadium, 4.45pm)

Oughterard manager Diarmuid Lee is without three of last year’s starting defenders as Ciaran Hanley has emigrated while Eddie O’Sullivan and Adam Tierney miss this game, along with Enda Tierney and Killian Noone (both knees).

Tuam Stars are back-to-back league champions under David Donnellan but miss Ben O’Connell, Cormac McWalter and Jack Davin who have moved abroad. Injury keeps out Rory Igoe, Gavan Connell and Ross Mitchell this weekend. Tuam Stars won 2-9 to 1-6 when they met in 2024, but Oughterard were quarter-finalists last year.

Verdict: Tuam Stars

Annaghdown vs St. James’ (Kenny Park, 6pm)

Annaghdown will hope to have a fully fit Damien Comer after needing to overcome the relegation battle last year. Norman O’Brien remains in charge and they survived Division 2. Diarmuid Kilcommins and Olan Kelly are key in defence.

Darragh Leonard and Eoin Concannon’s St. James’ seek to build on last year’s quarter-final appearance. Stephen McCooey and Fintan Cooney are not involved while Sam O’Neill (injury) remains out. Ruairi King has joined and Evan Boyce has returned. St. James’ were 0-8 to 1-4 victors back in 2023.

Verdict: St. James’

​GROUP 3

Dunmore MacHales vs Monivea-Abbey (Tuam Stadium, 6.15pm)

Division 2 champions Dunmore MacHales will be without defender Colin Lyons (elbow). Michael Halliday has taken over the hot seat from Denis Fallon and is also missing wing forward Jack Jordan for Saturday.

Justin Burke and Peter Maher take over from Francis Roche at Monivea-Abbey, and they’ll miss six of last year’s team including Fionnan Garvey, Eoin Blade, Cathal Cooley, Darragh Burke, Keith O’Reilly and Glenn Kelly. Dunmore were 0-9 to 0-8 victors when they last met in 2024 and will be favourites to prevail again.

Verdict: Dunmore MacHales

​Maigh Cuilinn vs Naomh Anna Leitir Móir (Pearse Stadium, 6.30pm)

Maigh Cuilinn are without Tom Clarke who has transferred back to Knockmore. Manager Cathal Clancy is also missing Ger Davoren, Dessie Conneely and Peter Cooke for now. Owen Gallagher returns while keeper Nevin O’Donnell has joined up.

Naomh Anna Leitir Móir are without Ciarán Bairead and Aonghus Reaney for Saturday, but manager Alan Murphy has Christopher Seoige, Micheal O’Toole, Joe Griffin and Ciarán Ó Flatharta back. Oisín Mac Donnacha leads the attack. Maigh Cuilinn prevailed 2-16 to 3-7 in 2023, and they can expect another tough challenge.

Verdict: Maigh Cuilinn