Galway will look to bounce back from their recent defeat to Kilkenny when they host Wexford in a vital Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Round Robin fixture. Both counties come into this encounter with two points apiece, having won one and lost one from their opening two games.

The match is finely poised in the standings, but the bookmakers make Galway strong favourites at 1/3, with a -4 handicap applied. Wexford, available at 3/1, will need to defy recent form trends if they are to come away with a result.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head

Galway beat Offaly comfortably in Round 1 but came up short against Kilkenny last weekend. Wexford opened with a win over Antrim but were outclassed by Dublin in their second outing.

The last five championship meetings between Galway and Wexford show just how tight this rivalry has become:

• 2024: Wexford 1-28 Galway 0-23
• 2023: Galway 0-24 Wexford 2-12
• 2022: Galway 1-19 Wexford 1-19
• 2020: Galway 1-27 Wexford 0-17
• 2019: Galway 0-16 Wexford 0-16

This will be the 17th championship clash between the counties. Both have won seven each, with two draws—highlighting the historic parity. However, Galway hold the edge in more recent encounters, with an unbeaten run in their last four championship games in Pearse Stadium against Wexford.

Goals at a Premium

One of the standout stats in this fixture is the lack of goals. In the six games played from 2018 to 2024, only seven goals have been scored in total. This trend suggests another low-scoring tactical battle could be on the cards, especially with Galway’s defensive structure typically holding firm at home.

League Form and Home Advantage

Galway also defeated Wexford in this year’s Allianz League at Chadwicks Wexford Park by 2-19 to 1-20, a result that will give them added confidence coming into this weekend.

They will also take comfort from their six-point win over Wexford at home in the 2022 championship. That said, Wexford got revenge in 2024, winning by eight points on their own turf.

Betting and Prediction

With Galway -4 on the handicap and a price of 1/3 to win, the market strongly leans towards a home victory. The handicap line suggests the bookies expect Galway to win by at least five points. Given the trends and Galway’s strong form at Pearse Stadium, that looks a reasonable prediction.

Prediction: Galway to cover the -4 handicap in a tight, physical contest.

The post Galway v Wexford: Tribesmen Favourites in Crucial Leinster Hurling Championship Clash appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

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GAA Fixtures

Fixtures
Friday 9 May

Connacht MFC final
Mayo v Roscommon, Hastings MacHale Park, 6.30pm

Saturday 10 May

Ulster SFC final
Armagh v Donegal, Clones, 5.25pm – RTE / BBC

Munster SHC round 3
Clare v Tipperary, Cusack Park Ennis, 6pm – GAA+

Leinster SHC Round 3
Kilkenny V Offaly, UPMC Nowlan Park, 6.00pm
Antrim V Dublin, Corrigan Park, 4.00pm – GAA+
Galway V Wexford, Pearse Stadium Galway, 3.15pm – RTE

Tailteann Cup Round 1
Wexford v Longford, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 6.30pm
Kildare v Leitrim, Cedral St Conleth’s Park, 5pm
Laois v Waterford, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 3pm
Offaly v Wicklow, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 1.30pm
Limerick v London, Rathkeale, 1pm

Joe McDonagh Cup
Westmeath v Down, TEG Cusack Park, 2.30pm
Carlow v Kildare, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm

Christy Ring Cup
Wicklow v Meath, Aughrim, 2pm
Tyrone v Derry, Dungannon, 1pm
Donegal v London, Letterkenny, 12.30pm

Nickey Rackard Cup
Mayo v Sligo, MacHale Park, 2pm
Armagh v Louth, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 12pm

Lory Meagher Cup
Longford v Cavan, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm
Lancashire v Monaghan, Abbotstown, 1.30pm

Ulster Ladies SFC final
Armagh v Donegal, St Tiernach’s Park, 3pm -TG4 YouTube

Leinster MHC quarter-finals
Westmeath v Dublin, Joristown Park, 12pm
Laois v Wexford, O’Moore Park, 12pm

Ulster MFC quarter-final
Cavan v Down, Kingspan Breffni, 12pm

All-Ireland MFC C first round
Limerick v Wicklow, Rathkeale, 3pm
Wexford v Laois, TBC, 2pm
Waterford v Kilkenny, Lemybrien, 2pm

Sunday 11 May

Leinster SFC final
Meath v Louth, Croke Park, 4.15pm – RTE

Tailteann Cup Round 1
Westmeath v Antrim, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm – GAA+
Fermanagh v Carlow, Brewster Park, 2pm
Sligo v Tipperary, Tubbercurry, 1.30pm

Joe McDonagh Cup
Laois v Kerry, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 4pm

Nickey Rackard Cup
Roscommon v Fermanagh, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm

Lory Meagher Cup
Warwickshire v Leitrim, Birmingham, 2pm

Connacht Ladies SFC
Galway v Mayo, Tuam Stadium, 1pm

Leinster Ladies SFC final
Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 2pm – TG4 YouTube

Munster Ladies SFC
Kerry v Tipperary, Austin Stack Park, 2pm
Waterford v Cork, Dungarvan GAA, 2pm

All-Ireland U20FC semi-final
Kerry v Tyrone, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm – TG4

All-Ireland U20FC B semi-final
Limerick v Monaghan, Moorefield, 3pm

Ulster MFC quarter-final
Monaghan v Armagh, TBC, 12pm

All-Ireland MFC C first round
Fermanagh v Longford, Roslea, 12pm

Monday 12 May

Munster MFC semi-finals
Clare v Kerry, TBC, 7pm
Tipperary v Cork, TBC, 7pm

Wednesday 14 May

Munster U20HC final
Tipperary v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, 7:30pm

All-Ireland U20FC B semi-final
Leitrim v Westmeath, Dr Hyde Park, 6.30pm

Friday 16 May

All-Ireland U20FC semi-final
Louth v Mayo, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 7pm

Munster MHC final
Cork v Waterford or Clare, TBC, 7pm

Saturday 17 May

All-Ireland SFC Round 1
Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 5pm – GAA+
Kerry v Roscommon, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2.30pm – GAA+

Leinster SHC Round 4
Wexford v Offaly, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5pm
Galway v Antrim, Pearse Stadium Galway, 1.30pm – GAA+

Tailteann Cup Round 2
Wicklow v Laois, Aughrim, 6pm
Antrim v Limerick, Corrigan Park, 4.30pm
Tipperary v Kildare, Clonmel, 4pm
Waterford v Offaly, Walsh Park, 1.30pm

Joe McDonagh Cup Round 4
Westmeath v Carlow, TEG Cusack Park, 3pm
Down v Kerry, Ballycran, 2pm

Christy Ring Cup Round 5
Derry v Wicklow, Celtic Park, 1.30pm
London v Tyrone, Ruislip, 1.30pm
Meath v Donegal, Trim, 1.30pm

Nickey Rackard Cup Round 5
Fermanagh v Mayo, Brewster Park, 2pm
Louth v Roscommon, Dowdallshill, 2pm
Sligo v Armagh, Tubbercurry, 2pm

Lory Meagher Cup Round 5
Cavan v Leitrim, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm
Monaghan v Longford, Inniskeen, 2pm
Warwickshire v Lancashire, Birmingham, 2pm

Leinster MHC semi-finals
Kilkenny v Westmeath or Dublin, TBC, TBC
Galway v Laois or Wexford, TBC, TBC

Ulster MFC semi-finals
Tyrone v TBC, TBC, TBC
Donegal v TBC, TBC, TBC

Sunday 18 May

All-Ireland SFC Round 1
Mayo v Cavan, MacHale Park, 2.30pm
Clare v Down, Cusack Park, 2pm

Leinster SHC Round 4
Kilkenny v Dublin, UPMC Nowlan Park 3.00pm

Munster SHC round 4
Limerick v Cork, TUS Gaelic Grounds Limerick, 4pm – RTE
Tipperary v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, 2pm – RTE

Tailteann Cup Round 2
Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, 1.30pm – GAA+
London v Westmeath, Ruislip, 2pm
Carlow v Wexford, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2.30pm
Longford v Fermanagh, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 3pm

Joe McDonagh Cup Round 4
Laois v Kildare, O’Moore Park, 3pm

Friday 23 May

Munster MFC final
TBC v TBC, TBC, 7:30pm

Sunday 25 May

All-Ireland SFC Round 1

Leinster SHC Round 5
Wexford v Kilkenny, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2.00pm
Dublin v Galway, Parnell Park, 2.00pm
Offaly v Antrim, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2.00pm

Munster SHC round 5
Limerick v Clare, TUS Gaelic Grounds Limerick, 4pm
Cork v Waterford, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4pm

Saturday 7 June

Munster SHC final
TBC v TBC, TBC, 6pm

Sunday 8 June

Leinster SHC final
TBC v TBC, Croke Park, 4.00pm

The post GAA Fixtures 2025 – Hurling & Gaelic Football appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Manager Davy Fitzgerald has stated that he has no hard feelings about losing out on the Galway job to Henry Shefflin.

The former Clare and Waterford manager was in talks for the role with Galway county officials during their process to replace Shane O’Neill but opted for the Kilkenny legend.

Fitzgerald admitted to having a phone call with Galway executives saying;

“They rang me for the chat. I talked to them, we had one or two chats, and it just didn’t work out,”.

“They decided to go with Henry, and that’s it. I’m driving on. I’ve a lot of things to look forward to, and that’s it. It’s very simple for me. It was probably made a lot more out of than it needed to be. But all I can do is wish Galway and Henry the very best of luck.

“Henry got the job at the end of the day. He’d won an All-Ireland club with Ballyhale and was an unbelievable player. This is probably a lot different but I think he’ll do really well. I wish him nothing but the best, there’s no animosity here towards Henry from my side without a shadow of a doubt. I only wish him the best.

“I know they might have said ‘would you not wait for Kilkenny’, but Brian Cody is doing a pretty good job I think. He’s won Leinster again, he’s doing pretty well. You can’t just get rid of someone that’s doing OK so why not let Henry go and do something different?”

Davy Fitzgerald: I thought Galway job was mine https://t.co/kCY1Bcciwn

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) October 22, 2021

Fitzgerald fully understands why Shefflin decided on joining Galway rather than waiting for the Kilkenny job;

“Henry is doing this because he loves hurling and he wants to challenge himself to be better,” he said.

“I think Henry is right to go and do this. He has a very talented team that will be there or thereabouts.

“If you see the amount of Clare players that come and shake my hand after games, it’s incredible. The amount of Kilkenny fellas that will have respect for Henry and know what he has done… They don’t expect Henry to sit on his behind and wait for years [until Brian Cody steps down]. Why should he if he can be involved and do something?

“Is it harder when you come across your own county? Of course. I’m a Clare-man, I loved playing for Clare. But you have a job to do for the day and you do it.

“After that, I’m sure Henry will be shouting for Kilkenny, no matter who they’re playing apart from Galway.”

The 2022 Hurling season will be the first year Fitzgerald will not be involved in a Senior inter-county set-up since he joined up with the Clare panel as a player in 1989.

“I think with me, the appetite will always be there if something takes my fancy,” he said.

“Whether I go back into county management or any management, I don’t know. I probably will.

“If the right opportunity comes up, maybe yeah. I’d love to tell you, I’d love to have a crystal ball and tell you exactly what’s going to happen. Will I miss it? I’ve been involved since 1989 at senior level and this is my first year not in it. I don’t know what the next few months are going to bring and how much I’ll miss it. I might, I might not. I don’t know.

“Whatever happens, happens. I’ve had a great time though, I’ve had an unbelievable time.

“But I just want to take this time and enjoy going to games, and not having to worry about what’s coming next week. It’s been a long time since I got to do that.”

For more News and Stories on all things GAA, click here.

Davy Fitz has no hard Feelings towards Galway Job

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The 32-year-old retires as the All-Ireland Championship’s top scorer after breaking Henry Shefflin’s record in the loss against Waterford at the weekend.

Canning broke the record of 27-484 (565) and sits on 27-485 (566) as he steps away from Galway GAA following a 0-9 performance.

The Portumna man helped Galway to three Leinster Championships throughout his career, as well as one All-Ireland title in 2017.

The inter-county veteran also leaves the top level having garnered five All-Stars over the course of his thirteen-year career with his county.

Injuries have hampered the forward in recent years and, after three surgeries in five years, Canning feels he can no longer go on for Galway.

The Galway star told media of his decision to retire this morning at a Bord Gais Energy media event.

“It’s injuries and stuff like that,” Canning said at the event.

“I had a couple of fairly serious ones over the year and even this year alone I tore a hamstring after the Waterford league game and didn’t realise I had it for a few weeks.

“Just a little nick, I’d a partial tear in my thumb as well. My finger, my heel, yeah there are four or five injuries alone this year, niggly ones, so yeah it wasn’t getting any easier for me.

“I think that is a bad way as well, just being there for the sake of it.

“As I said to the lads after the game, Saturday wasn’t the day I was planning to tell them.

“That’s just it, life moves on.”

“I thought it [retirement] might be later on in the year,” he said.

“You were kind of hoping in August time, August 22, All-Ireland that’s your kind of dream isn’t it, but that’s life. As I said, life moves on, that’s just the way it is.

“I am content with it. It wasn’t a thing just because we lost, that’s it. As I said to the boys I wanted to say it then because we will never be in that group again.”

The Portumna star departs the stage as one of the best-ever players to play the game and will be remembered on the level of the likes of Henry Shefflin.

The post Galway Star Joe Canning Announces Retirement appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORES ON DUBLIN V GALWAY HURLING
This match is set up to be the game of the weekend as two of Leinster’s best teams challenge to see who will make it to the final.

The government has allowed 8,000 spectators in Croke Park to watch the game. Sky Sports will also televise the match for those not sitting in the stands.

A late flurry in their last game in the league against Cork saw Galway win by a handy margin. The Tribesmen finished top of the league with four wins against teams like Waterford and Limerick.

Dublin was not so handy in their league only getting two wins in a group with Kilkenny, Clare, and Wexford.

The two teams have not faced each other in over a year with Dublin winning the u20s Leinster hurling final last year against Galway.

"Got There Eventually!" Congratulations to @DubGAAOfficial on winning the 2020 @BGEGAA @gaaleinster U20 hurling championship tonight with victory over Galway! ( @LaszloGeczo) pic.twitter.com/fCHX1b7rSs

— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) June 23, 2021

Other than the talismanic figure of Joe Canning, full-forward Evan Niland could prove to be a big threat in front of goal.

Donal Burke will try to be Dublin’s main man, he scored 1-10, mainly from frees and penalties, for them in their loss to Wexford.

Predicted teams

Galway

É Murphy (GK); D Morrissey, G McInerney, TJ Brennan; P Mannion, D Burke, F Burke; S Loftus, C Mannion; C Whelan, J Canning, Joseph Cooney; Brian Concannon, Evan Niland, Conor Cooney.

Dublin

S Brennan (GK); J Madden, E O’Donnell, C O’Callaghan; D Gray, L Rushe, C Burke; R McBride, D Burke; D Sutcliffe, C Crummey, M Schutte; C Boland, R Hayes, D Keogh.

Betting

Galway is firm favorites in this game with odds of 1/5.

Bookies are not expecting this tie to end in a stalemate with odds of 11/1 for a draw.

Lastly, Dublin is the outside bet with odds of 4/1 to win.

Prediction

The early rounds of the provincial championships are known for their surprises, but this will not be one of those games.

This is a physically strong and demanding Galway side and expect them to dominate against a county that only focuses on their Gaelic football these days.

This game will finish with a few goals score but ultimately Galway winning by at least five points.

My Illustration of Galway great Joe Canning for the new #GAA book ‘The Drawn Game’ available to order now from https://t.co/LwCCSWKdRq

Proceeds in aid of @teamlivie#thedrawngame @JoeyCan88 @damiendraws pic.twitter.com/XTXV4dVbQg

— Morgan O’Brien (@morganobrienart) August 20, 2020

A Twitter List by IrishScoresGAA

The post Leinster Hurling Galway v Dublin – Live Scores, Starting Team News & Betting appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Two games will be played to mark the return of fans in what will be the biggest crowd in Ireland since COVID-19.

Galway vs Dublin and Kilkenny vs Wexford, will all meet to decide who faces who in the Leinster Final on the 17th of July.

Each game was originally set to be played in Portlaoise, but Leinster GAA announced at six o’clock on Monday evening that the games have been moved to Croke Park,

It will be the first sporting event of its kind in Ireland since the pandemic began with all-inter county matches only able to hold no more than 200 fans.

Leinster GAA are delighted to announce the Senior Hurling Semi Finals this Saturday will now take place in Croke Park.

8,000 spectators will watch Dublin v Galway (2pm) and Kilkenny v Wexford at (4.30pm)

Ticketing details and relevant information will be confirmed tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/IHeojXWIr3

— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) June 28, 2021

“Leinster GAA are delighted to announce the Senior Hurling Semi-Finals this Saturday will now take place in Croke Park,” read a Leinster GAA statement on Monday.

“8,000 spectators will watch Dublin v Galway (2 pm) and Kilkenny v Wexford at (4.30 pm). Ticketing details and relevant information will be confirmed tomorrow.”

Dublin and Wexford booked their place in the Semi-Finals with comprehensive wins over Antrim and Laois.

The Dubs winning by an 18-point margin, while Wexford hammered Laois by 20 points.

Saturday evening will also see Cork face off against reigning Munster and All-Ireland champions Limerick at the Semple Stadium in Thurles at 7.00 pm.

The game will also see a return for some spectators, with a guarantee of up to 2,400 fans.

While Tipperary and Clare will go head-to-head in the second Munster Semi-Final on Sunday the 4th of July.

This will represent a change in the covid-19 restrictions in Ireland, with many sporting events now allowing thousands of fans into stadiums.

All games will be shown live on Sky Sports Arena, with coverage starting at 1.00 pm.

The post 8,000 spectators allowed to attend Leinster SHC Semi-Finals in Croke Park appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

These five men are at the very top of their games and will no doubt put all their talents on display when inter county hurling returns in October.

Noel McGrath (Tipperary)

Awarded man of the match for his performance in the All Ireland, 2019 was arguably the Loughmore – Castleiney man’s best year in a Tipperary jersey.

The move to midfield by Liam Sheedy has proven to be a masterstroke by the Tipperary boss, with biggest surprise of 2019 the fact that McGrath was overlooked for a Hurler of the Year nomination.

The 29 year old appears to be getting better with age and in this new position for the senior team seemingly bringing the best out of him, Tipp fans will hope for many more performances like the one they got in the 2019 All Ireland.

There is literally no hurler in Ireland with better vision than Noel McGrath

Takes out all of Laois with one pass

Some touch from Callanan. Class by Tipppic.twitter.com/zXmNF6g6Ym

— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) July 14, 2019

Cian Lynch (Limerick)

The 2018 hurler of the year is one of the most stylish hurlers to ever grace the game.

But behind the style there is definitely substance with the Patrickswell man’s work rate an often under appreciated part of his overall skill set.

The 24 year old is a magician in possession,  with his ability to carry the ball from his midfield position pretty much unrivaled in the game, while he is more than capable of pitching in with important scores for his team.

Jamie Barron (Waterford)

A two time All-Star, Barron has often been the highlight in a struggling Waterford side over the last couple of years.

A bundle of energy in midfield with a fair helping of class to go with it, Barron has managed to maintain his excellent form even if his team’s performances in the Championship have slipped.

Since reaching the All Ireland final in 2017 Waterford have had three senior hurling managers, with fans of the Deise hoping current manager Liam Cahill can be the man to inspire them once more after a couple of quiet Championships by their standards.

Fundamental to Waterford will be the performances of the fleet-footed The Nire club man.

Jamie Barron gets a classy point for @WaterfordGAA pic.twitter.com/8triBiA3af

— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 8, 2019

Diarmuid O’ Keefe (Wexford)

O’ Keefe is a driving force from midfield in Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford team that are making great strides under the Clare legend.

The 28 year old picked up his first All-Star for his form in 2019, as he put on a midfield masterclass for much of the season.

The St Anne’s clubman is full if running for his team and is a nightmare for opposition midfielders, because he never seems to stop.

Diarmuid O’Keeffe seals it for @OfficialWexGAA. pic.twitter.com/KrmleqHyXJ

— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 16, 2020

David Burke (Galway)

If Galway want to right the wrongs of their disastrous 2019 Championship then the 2017 All Ireland winning captain is going to be instrumental for Shane O’ Neill’s team.

An inspirational figure in Galway, Burke is capable of sublime moments on a pitch, and is well worth his place on this list of the top 5 midfielders in hurling.

Whether that’s coming up with a massive score for his team, or clearing a ball from his own defence, the St Thomas’ man is someone Galway are going to need to play at the highest level if they are going to get back into the All Ireland equation, when the Championship begins.

The post The top 5 midfielders in hurling appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

For years great defensive displays and great defenders in general may have gone unheralded in their recognition by the wider GAA fanbase but the five men below are changing that viewpoint. Here we rank five of the best defenders in hurling today.

Padraic Maher (Tipperary)

The iron man of the Tipp defence, six time All-Star Padraic Maher has been a shining light for Tipperary since he made his debut in 2009.

In that time Tipperary have played 54 Championship matches and the Thurles Sarsfields defender hasn’t missed any of them, starting all 54.

His ability under a high ball is sensational, as his ability to read the game from the half back line, while his ability to pop up with scores on a consistent level mark him out as one of the hurlers of his generation

Daithi Burke (Galway)

Without doubt the best full back in hurling over the last few years the powerful  Turloughmore man was a major reason in Galway finally bringing the Liam McCarthy back west in 2017.

His arrival at full back in the Galway team finally ended the county’s search for a player to fill the position that had troubled them for years.

His performances brought him four consecutive All-Stars between 2015 and 2018, and he managed to keep Seamus Callanan scoreless from play in the 2016 All Ireland semi final.

Not many can say that.

Brendan Maher (Tipperary)

What a last 12 months the Borrisoleigh man has had in a club and county jersey.

To come back from a cruciate injury and put in the kind of performances he did for Tipperary as they claimed the All Ireland once again really is a mark of the greatness of the player.

He was also an instrumental part of his club’s county and provincial success and was named club hurler of the year for his exploits.

Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny)

An all round brilliant hurler. Every team would love to have a player like the Tullaroan man.

A two time All-Star, the brother of former Kilkenny star Tommy is now the glue which holds the Kilkenny defence together.

Designated to fill the problem position of full back for a couple of seasons before Hugh Lawlor’s introduction, Brian Cody now has the luxury of using Walsh out the field.

Here his defensive instincts matched by very few in the game can be used to great effect in bringing solidity to the Cats defence.

Sean Finn (Limerick)

One of the best man markers in hurling Finn has won consecutive All-Stars in 2018 and 2019 for his classy and dominating performances in the Limerick defence.

What makes the Bruff man so good at what he does is the versatility he can show in his defensive play.

He can compete for a high ball with just about anyone, he revels when the ball is played in low against him and he invariably makes the right decision when in possession of the ball and helping his side go on the attack from deep.

His understanding with Mike Casey and Richie English mean Finn is part of one of the most formidable full back lines in hurling today.

The post Top 5 defenders in Hurling appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.