Title race heats up in Galway Senior Football Championship

Maigh Cuilinn, Corofin, Salthill-Knocknacarra, and Annaghdown are already through to the final eight as group winners and will be joined by those who emerge from double headers in Pearse Stadium and Tuam Stadium.

League champions Tuam Stars are the surprise side in this round but must be alert against Mountbellew-Moylough; while 2025 quarter-finalists Oughterard and Dunmore MacHales put their seasons on the line in Salthill; and for Claregalway, Bearna na Forbacha, Milltown, and Monivea-Abbey, success will ensure 2026 is reviewed in a positive light.

Four more teams take their first steps in trying to save their senior status as the relegation play-offs also get underway. The first relegation semi-final is Saturday when Caltra clash with St James’ (Tuam Stadium, 5pm). The other on Sunday is between Killannin and Naomh Anna Leitir Móir (Pearse Stadium, 3.15pm). The two winners will be safe for 2027.

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Saturday

Claregalway vs Bearna Na Forbacha

(Pearse Stadium, 3.15pm)

Six goals in two matches has been the perfect response for Claregalway following a 13-point defeat to Corofin in Round 1. Austin Sammon’s team were 3-14 to 1-13 victors over Mountbellew-Moylough two weeks ago.

The biggest concern for the Balchies is they are without Barry Goldrick long-term, while Eanna Monaghan won’t be back for Saturday. Leading scorer Jack Mullen (2-6), Cillian Callaghan and Mark King will also face late fitness tests as they seek a first quarter-final appearance since 2023.

Bearna na Forbacha’s first day victory over Caltra secured their preliminary play-off place but they have suffered two double-digit defeats since, the last being a 0-19 to 0-9 defeat to Milltown.

Cian Hernon is unavailable for Ger Butler’s charges but otherwise, they have a full deck as they seek a first final eight place since 2020.

Claregalway duo Dave Tarmey and Brion Connolly will need to win their midfield duel with Caolan Malone and Darragh Mahon, while centre-back Dara Whelan will try curtail Tom Curran.

Bearna na Forbacha will try keep Paraic Cummins and Conor Flaherty under wraps while Sean Fitzgerald against Jack Lonergan will be interesting, while Sean Dunne (0-14) needs more help in attack. They must significantly better their 0-12 average.

Verdict: Claregalway

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Oughterard vsDunmore MacHales (Pearse Stadium, 5pm)

Oughterard have shown tremendous character since their first day 11-point reversal to Tuam Stars by beating St James’ and drawing with group winners Annaghdown.

Ryan Monaghan delivered the equalising two-pointer the last day, and Diarmuid Lee’s squad has been bolstered by the return of Ronan Molloy and Luke Byrnes. Matthew Tierney leads the charge in midfield along with Niall Lee (2-11) and captain Paddy Walsh.

With 10-44 in three games, Dunmore MacHales have been exciting to watch but are compromised by the concession of 11-39.

Keeper Connor Gleeson and captain Matthew Redington will provide leadership. Shane McGrath provides the ammunition from midfield to feed Padraig (1-12) and Colm Costello (3-6) .

Dunmore’s Dylan Brady should be available at corner-back and he may monitor Niall or Eric Lee. Oughterard’s Philip Gibbons, and possibly Eddie O’Sullivan, may have a Costello in mind.

The obvious area to look is the midfield showdown involving Tierney and Cathal Donoghue against Sean Murray and McGrath, but there’s another line that could dictate this: if Redington starts at 6, flanked by Jake Slattery and Ruairi Walkin, can they stop Cian and Ryan Monaghan, and James Lowry in Oughterard’s half-forward line?

Verdict: Dunmore MacHales

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Sunday

Tuam Stars vs Mountbellew-Moylough (Tuam Stadium, 2.45pm)

A repeat of their meeting at this stage two years ago, when Tuam Stars ran out 2-12 to 1-10 winners.

The north Galway side had 12 different scorers in their win over St James’ (2-16 to 3-12) in a game in which they were missing Paul Collins and Mark Colleran, but captain Conor Rhatigan returned. And they had strong performances from Dara and Conor Heneghan, Shay McGlinchey and Jamie Murphy in the midfield diamond.

Mountbellew-Moylough haven’t reached a quarter-final since 2023 and will hope this is third time lucky following last year’s collapse against Killannin. They are without injured goalkeeper Michael Foley, while Michael Daly and James Foley are also not expected to be involved.

They started their 2021 full-forward line of Patrick Kelly, Eoin Finnerty, and Barry McHugh in their 3-14 to 1-13 group stage defeat to Claregalway. Billy Mannion, John Daly, Ciaran Mulhern and Leo Donnellan will be tasked with securing supply, while Colm Mannion is also back in the fold.

Centre back John Daly against Murphy could be the match-up of the game.

Verdict: Tuam Stars

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Milltown v Monivea-Abbey (Tuam Stadium, 4.30pm)

After a Round 2 scare against Caltra, Milltown appeared to finally get their championship campaign back on track the last day with a 0-19 to 0-9 victory over Bearna na Forbacha.

Their inside line of Liam and Dara Costello, along with Eoin Mannion shared nine points. Another strong display from Terry Godwin in midfield confirmed his 2026 MVP status.

James Kavanagh dropped back to assist the defence, with Jack Kirrane and Sean Blake holding the central positions, and keeper Cathal Blake keeping a clean sheet.

Following their relegation scrap in 2025, Monivea-Abbey have achieved their first target of staying senior, even if their 6-20 to 0-19 beating by Maigh Cuilinn created more questions.

The Justin Burke-Peter Maher managed team will feel that getting Milltown gives them an outside chance of reaching a first quarter-final since 2017.

Glenn Kelly (2-26) has contributed while Trevor Mullins has been key in midfield. It’s cutting down the 11 goals conceded in defence that must be addressed.

Keeping Kelly quiet will be the challenge handed to Milltown’s Sam Feerick or Kavanagh. Monivea-Abbey captain Cathal Cooley will have similar plans for Mannion.

But it’s Godwin against Mullins that should dictate this and their dominance in midfield that could decide this.

Verdict: Milltown