Weekend previews: Galway Senior Hurling Championship down to last 12
Loughrea-Castlegar and St. Thomas'-Gort start weekend action
CLARINBRIDGE, Sarsfields, Tommy Larkins and Athenry take a watching brief this weekend after topping their respective groups, leaving the stage free for second- and third-placed finishers to battle it out at the Galway Senior Hurling Championship preliminary quarter-final stage.
It’s quite the coincidence that all of last year's semi-finalists - champions Loughrea, finalists St. Thomas', Craughwell and Turloughmore - suffered defeats en route to runners-up places in their groups.
The quartet have been drawn against Castlegar, Gort, Ardrahan and Liam Mellows, respectively, with Kenny Park, hosting fixtures that are split between Saturday and Sunday double-headers.
The threat of relegation has intensified for the four clubs that propped up standings. Gort is the venue for both of Sunday’s semi-finals. Moycullen and Killimordaly are first up (throw-in: 12.30pm) before Cappataggle meet Oranmore-Maree (2pm). One team will drop to Premier Intermediate for 2027.
Finish on the day protocols are in place with the possibility for extra-time and penalties, if required.
LOUGHREA V CASTLEGAR
KENNY PARK - SAT 3PM
The reigning champions and roll of honour leaders meet in what, despite the presence of two derbies, is perhaps the weekend's headline clash. A late Anthony Burns goal was the pivotal moment in a closely contested quarter-final that finished 1-17 to 0-16 for Loughrea two seasons ago.
Loughrea fell to Tommy Larkins and survived a scare against Moycullen to seal their progress to the knockouts. They put up 3-15 by half-time and showed an uptick in form against Gort last time out. 3-26 was serious shooting overall, though the 3-21 conceded is sure to be a focus in the fortnight leading into the knockouts. Jamie Ryan topped their scoring charts with 1-8, while Johnny Coen and Burns also both hit the net.
It was 'do or die' for Castlegar against neighbours Oranmore-Maree on the final weekend of group action. Ger Farragher was a headline absentee but county star Darragh Neary stepped into the breach and contributed 1-8 between play and placed balls. Oisín Connolly also netted a crucial goal. A draw with Sarsfields and defeat to St. Thomas' completed their group record.
VERDICT: LOUGHREA
ST. THOMAS’ V GORT
KENNY PARK - SAT 4.45PM
St. Thomas’ produced mixed form in the group phase. They controlled an all-points clash with Oranmore-Maree before hitting Castlegar for six goals in a second straight win. That locked them into a straight shootout with Sarsfields for top spot where the Bullaun-New Inn outfit emerged far more convincing than a four-point margin suggested.
Minus frontline players in Shane Cooney, David Burke, Darren Farrell and Victor Manso, they also lost Oisín Flannery to injury that day. With Conor Cooney having a brilliant 2026 overall and new captain Éanna Burke scoring well, Cathal Daly’s side are still short odds to advance.
Managed by Andy Coen, Gort defeated Moycullen in a massive fixture first up and emerged with positives from subsequent defeats to Tommy Larkins and Loughrea. The in-form Aiden Helebert brought his championship return to 33 points. Greg Lally impressed in shooting 1-7 and both Jason O'Donoghue and Paddy Commins netted late on against Loughrea. Key forward Richie Cummins missed that tie.
VERDICT: ST. THOMAS’
TURLOUGHMORE V LIAM MELLOWS
KENNY PARK - SUN 3PM
TURLOUGHMORE followed a setback against Athenry by putting an incredible 39 points on the board against a relegation threatened Killimordaly that shot 3-20 themselves. Scores were less plentiful versus Ardrahan but Eoin Brislane's side still got the job done with free-taker Conor Walsh their chief marksman and Sean Loftus taking his impressive campaign tally up to 1-16 from play.
Liam Mellows' opening round defeat of Cappataggle paved their way to the knockouts despite defeats to Craughwell and Clarinbridge. With Sean Morrissey, Ed O’Reilly and Luke McPhilbin impressing in defence, they outbattled the ‘Bridge and opened a four-point lead after 20 minutes. Conor Elwood provided the most threat up top, but they were unable to sustain it during what turned into a very difficult second half.
VERDICT: TURLOUGHMORE
CRAUGHWELL V ARDRAHAN
KENNY PARK - SUN 4.45PM
CRAUGHWELL, on the back of wins over Liam Mellows and Cappataggle, come in as favourites against an Ardrahan side that edged past Killimordaly before being highly competitive in losses to both Athenry and Turloughmore.
Craughwell upped the ante in impressive fashion when Cappy put it up to them. Tiarnan Leen was excellent and shot four points, Tom Monaghan chipped in, and goals arrived from Ciaran Leen and Adrian Prendergast in sealing their progress.
Brian Callanan and Cianan Fahy were notable absentees for Ardrahan last time out. The second of the weekend's derbies, an eagerly-awaited one at that, precedes the quarter-final draw.
VERDICT: CRAUGHWELL