Loughrea to start title defence against Tommy Larkins
Draws for Galway Senior, Premier Intermediate and Premier Junior Hurling Championships
THE draws for this year's Galway Senior, Premier Intermediate and Premier Junior Hurling Championships took place at the Lough Rea Hotel on Monday evening with clubs learning the identity of their upcoming group opponents. The various competitions are set to commence on the week ending August 9.
SENIOR
The Senior Hurling Championship, once again sponsored by Forvis Mazars, features an unchanged 16-club format with the field split into four groups of four.
Last year's semi-finalists were all seeded in the draw and placed in separate groups - back-to-back Tom Callanan Cup holders Loughrea, runners-up St. Thomas', Turloughmore and Craughwell.
Group 1 consists of Loughrea, Tommy Larkins, Moycullen and Gort. Craughwell are joined by Clarinbridge, Cappataggle and last season's Senior B winners Liam Mellows in Group 2. It's St. Thomas', Oranmore-Maree, Sarsfields and Castlegar in Group 3. Group 4 contains Turloughmore, Athenry, Ardrahan and Killimordaly.
The top three in each group will qualify for the knockout stages. Group winners go directly to the quarter-final stage and the four second-placed teams will be drawn against the four third-placed teams in preliminary quarter-finals.
The bottom team in each group enter into relegation semi-finals with the two losers playing off to determine who drops to Premier Intermediate in 2027.
The opening round ties are: Loughrea v Tommy Larkins, Moycullen v Gort, Craughwell v Clarinbridge, Cappataggle v Liam Mellows, Sarsfields v Castlegar, St. Thomas' v Oranmore-Maree, Turloughmore v Athenry, Ardrahan v Killimordaly.
PREMIER INTERMEDIATE
The Galway championships below senior have been restructured with the introduction of the new Premier Intermediate and Premier Junior grades. Senior B is no more after three seasons in existence.
Sixteen clubs take their place in the Steeltech Sheds-sponsored Premier Intermediate with the Mick Sylver Cup, promotion to senior and the opportunity to represent Galway in the Connacht Intermediate competition on offer.
Group 1 is made up of Beagh, Kilconieron, Skehana-Mountbellew-Moylough and Mullagh. Portumna, 2025 Intermediate winners Meelick-Eyrecourt, Kinvara and Ahascragh-Fohenagh are drawn in Group 2. It's Rahoon-Newcastle, Ballinderreen, Pádraig Pearses and Ballygar in Group 3. Group 4 is made up of Killimor, Kilnadeema-Leitrim, Carnmore and Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry.
The top three in each group will qualify for the knockout stages. Group winners go directly to the quarter-final stage. The four second-placed teams will be drawn against the four third-placed teams in preliminary quarter-finals. The bottom team in each group enter into relegation semi-finals with the two losers playing off to determine who drops to Premier Junior in 2027.
PREMIER JUNIOR
THE Phelim Murphy Cup, named in honour of the late former Galway hurling secretary and Turloughmore clubman, will be the prize for the winners of the newly configured third-tier Premier Junior Championship.
It contains 10 club first teams split into two groups of five. The four teams
that dropped down from Intermediate ranks last season - Sylane, Annaghdown, Kilbeacanty and Abbeyknockmoy - were seeded with two placed in each group.
Group A is made up of Micheál Breathnach, Kiltormer, Ballinasloe, Abbeyknockmoy and Sylane. Salthill-Knocknacarra, Kilbeacanty, Annaghdown, Bearna Na Forbacha and An Spidéal are in Group B.
The opening round fixtures are Kiltormer v Micheál Breathnach, Abbeyknockmoy v Sylane, Kilbeacanty v Salthill-Knocknacarra, Bearna Na Forbacha v An Spidéal.
The top four teams in each group will advance to the quarter finals (1A v 4B, 2A v 3B, 3A v 2B, 4A v 1B). The eventual winner will represent Galway in Connacht and be promoted to Premier Intermediate hurling for 2027.
LEAGUES
THE Ohk Energy-sponsored leagues are nearing a conclusion with the final round of regulation matches fixed for the coming days. Sixteen clubs competed in each of Divisions 1, 2 and 3. They were all split into two groups of eight meaning each team was guaranteed seven matches scheduled on a fortnightly basis since the start of April. The top place in each group will go forward to contest the final. The bottom team in each group in a division will be relegated for 2027.