By Leitir M

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The 2025 Galway Senior Football Championship has largely gone according to script so far, with the four pre-competition favourites, Salthill/Knocknacarra, Tuam Stars, Maigh Cuilinn and Corofin, living up to their billing and topping their groups.

That quartet have secured direct passage to the quarter-finals, leaving them free to watch on this weekend as the other eight Frank Fox contenders battle it out for the four remaining places in the last eight.

With the worsening weather over the past fortnight, the complexion of the championship is changing fast. The dry sod and slick ball-handling of summer are gone, replaced by heavy underfoot conditions and greasy handling. Add in the new rules – especially the two-pointer – and from here on, adaptability will be just as important as skill.

Oughterard v Claregalway

Saturday – Pearse Stadium, 5pm

Oughterard enter this clash buoyed by a hard-fought win over Mountbellew/Moylough in the final round, a victory in which goalkeeper Ciaran Noone produced three crucial saves which included a dramatic last-gasp stop to deny Sean Kelly. Eric Lee, Matthew Tierney and Ryan Monaghan were instrumental throughout, while Niall Lee’s late goal proved decisive.

Claregalway, by contrast, arrive with slightly less momentum. Their youthful side edged past neighbours Annaghdown to book this berth – their only championship win – with the scoring threat of Jack Mullen, Éanna Monaghan, and Galway ’keeper Conor Flaherty giving them reason to believe they can upset the odds here.

For Claregalway, this season already represents progress, having only escaped the relegation playoff last year by beating the eventually demoted Caherlistrane. Oughterard, meanwhile, have experience of this stage and will be determined to at least match last season’s quarter-final run. Claregalway could be a sticky opponent, however.

Prediction: Oughterard

Dunmore MacHales v Naomh Anna Leitir Móir

Sunday – Pearse Stadium, 3pm

There is a sense of déjà vu here, as these sides also met at this stage 12 months ago, with Dunmore emerging victorious. It is another chapter in a budding rivalry that has already seen them contest the 2021 intermediate final, won by Leitir Móir.

Both clubs have continued to make strides since, and both installed new managers this season. Former Galway United boss Alan Murphy now guides Naomh Anna, while Denis Fallon is at the helm in Dunmore, assisted by ex-Galway minor manager Alan Glynn. A signal of their ambitions.

Containing the Costello brothers, Colm and Pádraig, will be vital for Leitir Móir, who will also look to the scoring ability of Warren Seoighe and co. Though they could only muster five points in a dour clash with Corofin last time out. On that basis, Dunmore are tipped to shade this one, though not without a battle in what could be a really good game of football – weather permitting.

Prediction: Dunmore MacHales

Milltown v St James’

Sunday – Tuam Stadium, 4.30pm

Perhaps the most intriguing tie of the round. Milltown’s form has been mixed: they impressed with a win over Leitir Móir and in a surprise draw against reigning champions Corofin, but looked flat in their stalemate with relegation-threatened Monivea/Abbey in a game they would have been expected to win.

St James’ will also feel they have left a bit behind them. Blowing a sizeable lead against Killannin and failing to punish Maigh Cuillin in their draw due to wastefulness in front of the posts which meant they finished third in the group.

Milltown boast the fourth-best attack in the competition – led by Eoin Mannion, Liam Costello, Mark Hehir and Mike Martin – and the familiar setting of Tuam Stadium may help them. But the Jimmies’ quality, in the likes of Paul Conroy, Jack Nolan, and the O’Neill brothers, Sam and Jack, makes them dangerous opponents capable of punishing any lapse. The key will be shutting down Milltown’s attack.

Prediction: Milltown

Killannin v Mountbellew/Moylough

Sunday – Pearse Stadium, 4.45pm

Killannin arrive in solid form, with Johnny Heaney, Ryan Roche and Dara Walsh all impressing as they secured second place in their group. Their ability to close out key games has given Gay O’Brien’s charges a quiet confidence heading into knockout football.

Mountbellew/Moylough, on the other hand, have endured a below-par campaign. A solitary group win over St Michael’s was enough to see them through, but injuries and inconsistency have hurt them. The loss of Eoin Finnerty last time out through injury compounds their reliance on Barry McHugh for scores.

Experience has often seen Mountbellew/Moylough navigate through these stages in the past, but momentum seems to be with Killannin, who will fancy their chances of going at least one better than last year’s quarter-final exit.

Prediction: Killannin