2026 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final – Galway 2-26 Cork 1-18

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Galway defeated Cork by 2-26 to 1-18 in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Saturday July 4th at Croke Park.

Match Highlights

WATCH: FULL-TIME HIGHLIGHTS 📺

It's a remarkable day for @Galway_GAA as a superb performance against @OfficialCorkGAA books their place in the All-Ireland Final 🏆@OfficialCorkGAA 1-18@Galway_GAA 2-26#CORvGAL pic.twitter.com/VfINkRExgL

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 4, 2026

🥎 REPORT: @Galway_GAA produced a dynamic display to defeat @OfficialCorkGAA in the All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final at @CrokePark #GAA ⬇️https://t.co/2rEqzuohUw

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 4, 2026

All-Ireland SHC SF: Gritty Galway reach decider

Galway 2-26 Cork 1-18

Report By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park for GAA.ie

An exciting Galway outfit – with a potent blend of emerging and established talent – delivered in style.

Micheál Donoghue and his backroom team have steered Galway back into an All-Ireland decider as a dynamic display defeated Cork at GAA headquarters.

A blistering start signalled Galway’s significant intentions. Then, the worry arrived when Cork reeled off 1-4 without reply to lead 1-12 to 1-7 as the interval approached.

Galway, though, demonstrated defiance clipping five of the last six first half points to ensure only the minimum was the deficit at the turnaround, 1-13 to 1-12.

After the restart the game was about Galway’s purpose and passion. Cork were restricted to five points. The match altering third quarter burst featured nine unanswered Galway scores.

Cork just couldn’t recover and another harrowing loss at the Jones Road venue suffered.

Initially, Galway had edged 0-3 to 0-2 ahead before Conor Whelan released Darragh Neary to plant a sixth minute goal. The splendid Jason Rabbitte added a point to steer Galway 1-4 to 0-2 in front.

Cork, prompted by the excellent Brian Hayes, did summon a response, narrowing the gap to one, 1-6 to 0-8 by the 18th minute.

Tiernan Killeen fired over a Galway point, but then Cork enjoyed a spell of supremacy. Inside Hayes was doing damage and the St Finbarr’s attacker supplied a point to leave Cork trailing by one.

Alan Walsh fetched an Eoin Downey sideline cut, and subsequently rattled the Galway net. Cork were two clear and further scores from Hayes (2) and Darragh Fitzgibbon embellished the lead.

Despite the setback, Galway finished the opening period impressively. Rabbitte was relevant, while captain Darren Morrissey, the sweet striking Tom Monaghan, and Aaron Niland all supplied points ensuring Cork’s advantage was trimmed.

After the restart Gavin Lee and Shane Barrett traded points, but Galway seized the initiative. Ronan Glennon, who was immense, Padraic Mannion, Monaghan, Rabbitte, Whelan, Lee, and Cathal Mannion all contributed as Galway manufactured a 1-22 to 1-14 advantage.

Cork terminated a 16 minute search for a score when Hayes pointed. Substitute William Buckley announced his arrival with a further Cork effort, but Galway were unperturbed.

In the 55th minute Fitzgibbon was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on Glennon and Galway closed out the deal with the minimum of fuss.

Replacements John Fleming and Conor Cooney craved involvement. Deep into injury time the opportunistic Cooney, with a flash of class, decorated the win with the insurance goal. A guttural Galway roar greeted the full-time whistle.

Scorers for Galway: Conor Cooney 1-1, Tom Monaghan 0-4, Darragh Neary 1-0, Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte, Ronan Glennon, Cathal Mannion (2fs), and Aaron Niland (3fs) 0-3 each, Gavin Lee 0-2, Tiernan Killeen, John Fleming, Padraic Mannion, and Darren Morrissey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hayes 0-7, Alan Connolly 0-4 (3fs), Alan Walsh 1-0, Shane Barrett 0-3 (1f), Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-2, William Buckley and Barry Walsh (f) 0-1 each.

Galway: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Daithí Burke, Cillian Trayers; Padraic Mannion, Darren Morrissey, Ronan Glennon; Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee; Tom Monaghan, Cathal Mannion, Darragh Neary; Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland.
Subs: Cian Daniels for P Mannion (15-16), Conor Cooney for Niland (47), Cian Daniels for Ryan (56), John Fleming for Killeen (62), Brian Concannon for Lee (66), Seán Linnane for Neary (70+1).

Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Damien Cahalane, Seán O’Donoghue; Eoin Downey, Rob Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony, Tommy O’Connell; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, Diarmuid Healy; Alan Walsh, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.
Subs: Cormac O’Brien for Cahalane (HT), Robbie O’Flynn for O’Connell (48), William Buckley for Connolly (51), Barry Walsh for Walsh (52), Ger Millerick for E Downey (61).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).

Shane Barrett, Cork, and Cillian Trayers, Galway, in All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final action at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Shane Barrett, Cork, and Cillian Trayers, Galway, in All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final action at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Cork, prompted by the excellent Brian Hayes, did summon a response, narrowing the gap to one, 1-6 to 0-8 by the 18th minute.

Tiernan Killeen fired over a Galway point, but then Cork enjoyed a spell of supremacy. Inside Hayes was doing damage and the St Finbarr’s attacker supplied a point to leave Cork trailing by one.

Alan Walsh fetched an Eoin Downey sideline cut, and subsequently rattled the Galway net. Cork were two clear and further scores from Hayes (2) and Darragh Fitzgibbon embellished the lead.

Despite the setback, Galway finished the opening period impressively. Rabbitte was relevant, while captain Darren Morrissey, the sweet striking Tom Monaghan, and Aaron Niland all supplied points ensuring Cork’s advantage was trimmed.

After the restart Gavin Lee and Shane Barrett traded points, but Galway seized the initiative. Ronan Glennon, who was immense, Padraic Mannion, Monaghan, Rabbitte, Whelan, Lee, and Cathal Mannion all contributed as Galway manufactured a 1-22 to 1-14 advantage.

Cork terminated a 16 minute search for a score when Hayes pointed. Substitute William Buckley announced his arrival with a further Cork effort, but Galway were unperturbed.

In the 55th minute Fitzgibbon was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on Glennon and Galway closed out the deal with the minimum of fuss.

Replacements John Fleming and Conor Cooney craved involvement. Deep into injury time the opportunistic Cooney, with a flash of class, decorated the win with the insurance goal. A guttural Galway roar greeted the full-time whistle.

Scorers for Galway: Conor Cooney 1-1, Tom Monaghan 0-4, Darragh Neary 1-0, Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte, Ronan Glennon, Cathal Mannion (2fs), and Aaron Niland (3fs) 0-3 each, Gavin Lee 0-2, Tiernan Killeen, John Fleming, Padraic Mannion, and Darren Morrissey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hayes 0-7, Alan Connolly 0-4 (3fs), Alan Walsh 1-0, Shane Barrett 0-3 (1f), Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-2, William Buckley and Barry Walsh (f) 0-1 each.

Galway: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Daithí Burke, Cillian Trayers; Padraic Mannion, Darren Morrissey, Ronan Glennon; Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee; Tom Monaghan, Cathal Mannion, Darragh Neary; Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland.
Subs: Cian Daniels for P Mannion (15-16), Conor Cooney for Niland (47), Cian Daniels for Ryan (56), John Fleming for Killeen (62), Brian Concannon for Lee (66), Seán Linnane for Neary (70+1).

Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Damien Cahalane, Seán O’Donoghue; Eoin Downey, Rob Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony, Tommy O’Connell; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, Diarmuid Healy; Alan Walsh, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.
Subs: Cormac O’Brien for Cahalane (HT), Robbie O’Flynn for O’Connell (48), William Buckley for Connolly (51), Barry Walsh for Walsh (52), Ger Millerick for E Downey (61).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).

First Half Cork Goal by Alan Walsh

ALAN WALSH, TAKE A BOW! 🔥🔥@OfficialCorkGAA have their goal as Alan Walsh buries it to the back of the @Galway_GAA net with an outrageous finish 🎯🎯#CORvGAL pic.twitter.com/lWY69YNAsC

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 4, 2026

Team News

🔴⚪ TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Cork Senior Hurling Manager Ben O'Connor has named his starting XV and matchday panel for Saturday's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final against Galway.

📍 Croke Park
🗓️ Saturday
🕞 3:30pm

Team details 👇https://t.co/ZnMJfcwPUP pic.twitter.com/qokIiKjxFR

— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) July 2, 2026

CORK (All-Ireland SHC v Galway): Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra); Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Mark Coleman (Blarney); Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Tommy O’Connell (Midleton); Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville, captain), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold); Alan Walsh (Kanturk), Alan Connolly (Blackrock), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s).
Subs: Paudie O’Sullivan (Fr O’Neill’s), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s), Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers), Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket), Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), William Buckley (St Finbarr’s), Barry Walsh (Killeagh).

🔈TEAM NEWS 🔈

The Galway Senior Hurling team to face Cork in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final is announced!

GAILLIMH V CORCAIGH
📍Croke Park
🗓️Saturday 4th July 2026
🕓3.30pm
📻Radio Commentary on Galway Bay FM
📺RTE

*Buy Match Tickets in advance🎟… pic.twitter.com/3hIMsWqID1

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) July 3, 2026

GALWAY (SHC v Cork): D. Fahy; J. Ryan, C. Trayers, D. Morrissey (c); P. Mannion, D. Burke, R. Glennon; T. Killeen, G. Lee; T. Monaghan, C. Mannion, D. Neary; Conor Whelan, J. Rabbitte, A. Niland. Subs: É. Murphy, S. Morgan, F. Burke, C. Daniels, C. Fahy, C. Cooney, J. Fleming, S. Linnane, Cillian Whelan, C. Molloy, B. Concannon.

Cork v Galway

Both counties head into the semi-final with five wins and one defeat from six championship games. Galway claimed the Leinster title, while Cork were beaten by Limerick in the Munster Final before responding with a comprehensive victory over Offaly in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

The sides last met in the championship in 2022 when Galway edged Cork by a point in an All-Ireland quarter-final. Their previous semi-final meeting came in 2012, with Galway also emerging victorious. The Tribesmen have won their last five championship encounters with Cork, leaving the Rebels seeking a first championship win over Galway since 2008.

Cork are attempting to reach the All-Ireland Final for the third successive season, while Galway are aiming to return to the decider for the first time since 2018.

Championship So Far

Last Ten Championship Meetings

Last 10 Championship Meetings: Galway 6 wins, Cork 4 wins.

Did You Know?

• This will be the 35th championship meeting between the counties. Cork have won 25 of the previous 34 encounters, with Galway winning nine.
• Galway had never beaten Cork in the championship before 1975. Since then, Galway lead the rivalry by nine wins to six from 15 meetings.
• Cork defeated Galway by 2-20 to 1-21 in their Allianz Hurling League clash at Pearse Stadium last February.
• Cork scored six goals across their five Munster Championship games before matching that tally in one game against Offaly in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
• Galway scored 15 goals in six Leinster Championship outings this season.
• Cork have scored just two goals in their last five championship meetings with Galway, while Galway have netted seven times in those games.
• Micheál Donoghue is leading Galway into an All-Ireland semi-final for the fourth time. Galway lost to Tipperary in 2016 before defeating Tipperary in 2017 and Clare (after a replay) in 2018.
• Ben O’Connor is in his first season as Cork manager. As a player, he featured in nine All-Ireland semi-finals, winning five, losing three and drawing one.

2026 League & Championship Record