Your guide to Galway clubs in Connacht Championship action this weekend
THREE Galway teams will take to the provincial stage this weekend, with Salthill-Knocknacarra and Caherlistrane beginning their Connacht Senior and Intermediate Football Championship campaigns. Meanwhile, Kilkerrin-Clonberne will look to continue their impressive run as they contest the Connacht Senior Ladies Football Championship final.
Senior county champions Salthill-Knocknacarra travel to Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday to face Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins in the Connacht Senior Football Championship quarter-final, with throw-in at 3.30pm.
Salthill-Knocknacarra ended a 14-year wait for the Galway SFC title after edging past Maigh Cuilinn in a dramatic county final, winning by 2-12 to 1-14. A late goal from Tomo Culhane deep into injury time proved decisive as the Seasiders reclaimed the Frank Fox Cup for the first time since 2012.
Culhane finished with 1-6, while Colm Finnerty contributed 1-11 and Matthew Thompson added two points as Finian Hanley’s side bounced back from last year's county final defeat to secure the title. Captain Daniel O’Flaherty was only fit enough to make an appearance from the bench at half-time, while Charlie Power remains sidelined through injury.
Ballinamore required a replay to overcome Fenagh in the Leitrim county final. Tom Prior and Paul Honeyman, both members of the Leitrim senior panel this season, are among the key attacking players for the Leitrim champions.
The winners will advance to face either St Brigid’s of Roscommon or St Mary’s of Sligo, who meet in the other Connacht SFC quarter-final on Saturday at 1.30pm in Dr Hyde Park.
Intermediate champions Caherlistrane also face a provincial quarter-final on Sunday, travelling to MacHale Park to take on Mayo champions Davitts at 3.30pm.
Timmy Madden was among the standout performers in Caherlistrane’s county final victory, contributing 0-7 as Barry McCabe’s side overcame An Spidéal by three points. Having suffered relegation from senior football in 2024, Caherlistrane have secured an immediate return to the top tier of Galway football for next season.
Davitts booked their place in the Connacht Championship after overcoming Ballinrobe in the Mayo Intermediate Football Championship final. Mayo senior footballer Fenton Kelly is a key figure for the Mayo champions, while the experienced Colm Boyle also adds plenty to their side.
Meanwhile, the Connacht Senior Ladies Football Championship final between Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Knockmore takes place at Tuam Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with throw-in at 1pm.
The meeting will be a repeat of the 2023 provincial decider, when Kilkerrin-Clonberne proved too strong for their Mayo opponents, recording a convincing 2-15 to 1-7 victory. It will also mark the third occasion in the last four years that Galway and Mayo opposition have contested the Connacht final.