Groups drawn in Galway Senior, Intermediate and Primary Junior Football Championships
CLUBS in the Galway Senior and Intermediate Football Championships learned the identity of their group opponents following Tuesday evening's draw conducted at RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta studios in Casla.
SENIOR
The Galway Senior Football Championship format is once again a 16-club line-up split into four groups of four.
Four clubs were seeded and placed in separate groups in the draw - Frank Fox Cup holders Maigh Cuilinn, last year's runners-up Salthill-Knocknacarra, and both beaten semi-finalists in Tuam Stars and Corofin.
The remaining 12 teams were pulled out in an open draw which included Intermediate winners Caltra who take the place of relegated St. Michael's.
Group 1 consists of Corofin, Claregalway, Killannin and Mountbellew-Moylough. Milltown, Caltra and Bearna Na Forbacha join Salthill-Knocknacarra in Group 2. Maigh Cuilinn, Naomh Anna Leitír Móir, Dunmore MacHales and Monivea-Abbey make up Group 3. In Group 4, it's Tuam Stars, Oughterard, St. James’ and Annaghdown.
There are no changes to the qualification criteria with the top three in each group advancing to the knockout stages - mirroring the now defunct All-Ireland format from 2025.
The four second-placed teams will be drawn to face the third-placed teams at the preliminary quarter-final stage. Group winners await the victors in the last eight.
One club will be relegated to Intermediate for 2027. The bottom placed teams in each group will contest relegation semi-finals before the two defeated sides face off in the relegation final.
Opening round fixtures: Corofin v Claregalway, Killannin v Mountbellew-Moylough, Salthill-Knocknacarra v Milltown, Caltra v Bearna Na Forbacha, Maigh Cuilinn v Naomh Anna Leitír Móir, Dunmore MacHales v Monivea-Abbey, Tuam Stars v Oughterard, St. James’ v Annaghdown.
INTERMEDIATE
The 16-team field in the Intermediate Football Championship was also divided into four groups of four.
Relegated St. Michael's, last year's beaten Intermediate finalists An Spidéal, and both defeated semi-finalists Corofin and St. Brendan's were seeded and placed into different groups.
Primary Junior winners Claregalway moved up, taking the place of the relegated St. Gabriel's.
St Michael’s, Oileáin Árann, Micheál Breathnach and Kilkerrin-Clonberne make up Group 1. Group 2 consists of Corofin, Cortoon Shamrocks, Claregalway and Oranmore-Maree.
An Spidéal, Clifden, Glenamaddy and Menlough are in Group 3. Group 4 includes St. Brendan’s, Caherlistrane, Kilconly and An Cheathrú Rua.
The top team from each group will advance directly to the last eight. The four second-place and four third-place teams again go head-to-head at the preliminary quarter-final stage. The winner of the John Cotter Cup will be promoted to senior and one team will be relegated to Primary Junior.
Opening round fixtures: St. Michael’s v Oileáin Árann, Micheál Breathnach v Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Corofin v Cortoon Shamrocks, Claregalway v Oranmore-Maree, An Spidéal v Clifden, Glenamaddy v Menlough, St. Brendan’s v Caherlistrane, Kilconly v An Cheathrú Rua.
The championship will throw-in on either the week ending August 2 or August 16.
PRIMARY JUNIOR - JUNIOR 2
The Primary Junior Football Championship is set to commence on the week ending July 19. Headford, Athenry, Williamstown, Ballinasloe, Killererin and St. Gabriel’s will compete in the North. In the West, it's Clonbur, Fr. Griffin’s-Éire Óg, Cárna-Caiseal, Kinvara and Renvyle.
Junior 2 starts on the week ending August 16. Annaghdown (B), Mountbellew-Moylough (B), Corofin (C) and Tuam Stars (B) make up the North section. It's Salthill-Knocknacara (B), Maigh Cuilinn (B), St. James' (B) and Oranmore-Maree (B) in the West.