Galway Bay FM - Sports

The last Full Time Whistle of 2025 looked back at Connacht's loss to Ulster, Fiona Murtagh's homecoming to Maigh Cuilinn and everything else happening in sport.  Presented by John Mulligan and Sean Carley. The #fulltimewhistle is sponsored by GetSetGo Game Changing online car, home and travel insurance that's faster, better and easier!

Maree versus Titans is the standout fixture on Saturday (27th December 2025) in the Domino's National Leagues.  Tip-off in the Men's Division 1 at the Kingfisher is 3pm. At the same venue, Maigh Cuilinn welcome SPK Lakers from 7pm. On Sunday (28th), University of Galway Mystics entertain Kilkenny Stars in the Women's Division 1 from 3pm. With a full preview, here's Galway Bay FM's Adrian O'Neill.

During the second half of the show, George McDonagh and Darren Kelly were joined by: Andy Coen to look back on Loughrea's win over Slaughtneil in the AIB All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final; William Davies to review Connacht's BKT United Rugby Championship defeat to Dragons; And Cian O'Connell to chat about the Premier League.

This week's special guest on 'Over  The Line' was Fergus Farrell, a former Irish Youths and Galwegians player from Athenry, before a spinal cord injury in 2018 changed his life. He defied the devastating prognosis to walk again and now brings that same mindset to leaders and teams facing tough challenges. Fergus Farrell came into the studio to chat to Galway Bay FM's George McDonagh.

RUGBY: Connacht captain Cian Prendergast with Galway Bay FM's William Davies ahead of their URC encounter with Ulster

RUGBY: Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster with Galway Bay FM's William Davies ahead of their URC encounter with Ulster

On this week's show (21st December 2025): Loughrea qualify for a first All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Final in 19 years; Corinthians win their first Connacht Senior Rugby Cup in 15 seasons following a late Harry Rogers try against Galwegians; Connacht suffer major defeat to Dragons in United Rugby Championship; All this and more. == The #fulltimewhistle is Sponsored by Getsetgo Game Changing online car, home and travel insurance that's faster, better and easier!

RUGBY: Corinthians captain Mark Boyle with Galway Bay FM's John Mulligan after their Connacht Senior Cup Final win over Galwegians

RUGBY: Corinthians head coach Ambrose Conboy with Galway Bay FM's William Davies after their Connacht Senior Cup Final win over Galwegians

RUGBY: Corinthians 12-8 Galwegians (Connacht Senior Cup Final commentary with Galway Bay FM's William Davies and Alan Deegan)

HURLING: Loughrea manager Tommy Kelly with Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan after their All-Ireland SHC semi-final win over Slaughtneil

HURLING: Loughrea's Johnny Coen with Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan after their All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Slaughtneil

HURLING: Loughrea's Jamie Ryan with Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan after their All-Ireland SHC semi-final win over Slaughtneil

HURLING: Galway Bay FM's Sean Walsh, Cyril Farrell and Andy Coen look back on Loughrea's All-Ireland SHC semi-final win over Slaughtneil

HURLING: Loughrea 2-22 Slaughtneil 0-15 (All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final commentary with Sean Walsh, Cyril Farrell, Andy Coen and Niall Canavan)

To celebrate Loughrea's Ciarán Fitzgerald entering the RTE Sport Hall of Fame on Saturday evening (20th December 2025), Galway Bay FM have opened the vault and delved back into the archives to pull out a special interview from April 2020. The two-time Triple Crown winning captain (1982 and 1985) was the special guest on Monday's 'Over The Line,' during our Legends series that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. He chatted on the phone with Galway Bay FM's Gerry Murphy and George McDonagh.

RUGBY: Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster with Galway Bay FM's William Davies after their URC defeat to Dragons

Three tries in the final 20 minutes dressed up the scoreboard in Rodney Parade on Saturday (20th December 2025). However, Connacht still suffered a humiliating defeat to the Dragons, who picked up their first win in this season's BKT United Rugby Championship. Sean Jansen's try salvaged a bonus point for the visitors to Wales, thanks to earlier five-pointers from Sam Gilbert and a Cian Prendergast brace. Galway Bay FM's match commentary team were Rob Murphy and William Davies. == Connacht's next game is at home to Ulster in the BKT URC next Saturday (27th December).  Kick-off at Dexcom Stadium is 5.30pm.

The Glynn Cup between Galwegians and Corinthians will take place for the first time in 11 years on Sunday. Galwegians President Jody Greene, Corinthians President Fergal Leonard, and Grandson of Johnny Glynn, David Glynn, were in studio to chat to John Mulligan about Sunday's showpiece event. Kickoff at Dexcom Stadium on Sunday is at 5:30 pm with live commentary on Galway Bay FM...

Seven weeks after being crowned back-to-back county champions, Loughrea chase a first appearance in Croke Park in 19 years this Sunday (21st December 2025) when they go up against Derry's Slaughtneil in the  AIB All-Ireland senior club hurling semi-final. Both teams reached this stage 12 months ago but came up just one point short in their respective fixtures, and this game could define both clubs' seasons. Leading up to the game, Loughrea manager Tommy Kelly has been chatting to Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan. == Throw-in at Parnell Park on Sunday is 1.30pm and we'll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM.

Galway City Harriers' Emma Moore made history on Wednesday (17th December 2025) when she broke the Irish indoor under-23 800m record in the National Sports Arena in Dublin, clocking a time of 2'2.39". It also moved her to sixth on the all-time Irish senior indoor list, in a year where she also produced personal bests at 400m (55.41"), 600m (1'29.31") and with the 4*400m relay team at the European championships in Bergen (3'34.81"). After being hampered by injuries in recent years, she's back on track and competing in major championships with Los Angeles 2028 still the target. Emma Moore chatted to Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly on 'Over The Line.'

The Michael Byrne Cup got underway on Friday (19th December 2025) with two games.   Two Aaron Molloy goals overturned the deficit as Maree-Oranmore beat Athenry 3-2 away; JJ Oifoh and Darragh Forde both struck twice in Moyne Villa's 8-2 victory over Corrib Celtic in  Headford. Before those games concluded, Galway Bay FM's Mike Rafferty previewed this weekend's action on the domestic scene.

Racing in Ireland on Saturday is in Thurles (20th December 2025). Cross-channel, there are meetings in Haydock, Hereford, Ascot, Newcastle and Wolverhampton. With his 'Saturday Six,' here's Galway Bay FM's George McDonagh.

RUGBY: Connacht duo Caolin Blade and Chay Mullins with Galway Bay FM's William Davies ahead of their URC trip to Dragons

RUGBY: Connacht assistant coach Rod Seib with Galway Bay FM's William Davies ahead of their URC trip to Dragons

Kiltormer brothers Aidan and Fergal Lenehan have come together to write a new book about Aidan's involvement with the formation of a hurling and camogie club in football-dominated north county Dublin. 'Grit and Glory: A Decade at the Club' tells the story of the Wild Geese hurling and camogie club and is a narrative of survival marked by humour, and also tragedy, in which a simple act of playing a game with your neighbours and friends, the immense meaning this can have and the sense of community it creates, takes centre stage. Aidan Lenehan joined Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly on 'Over The Line' to chat about the book. == 'Grit and Glory: A Decade at the Club' is available from Charlie Burns, Kennys, News N Choose, and Salmons bookshops.

All-Ireland winning hurling captain David Burke announced his intercounty retirement on Friday (19th December 2025) after 16 years representing Galway at senior level. The 35-year-old led the Tribesmen to their first Liam McCarthy Cup triumph in 29 years back in 2017, as well as scoring 1-2 when Galway won their first Leinster championship five years earlier. St. Thomas' David Burke, who'll still line out with his club, has been chatting to Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan.

On Hurling Chat this week, Andy Coen and Cyril Farrell join Niall and Sean and discuss: Can Loughrea reach the All-Ireland Club Final with victory over Slaughneil? Will Ballygunner overcome St Martins in the other semi? The exploits of Athenry and Kilkerrin Clonberne are highlighted while in a brief review of Galway's hurling year, the lads quickly begin to look forward to what is likely to be a much-changed Galway team for 2026.

Professional Darts player, William O'Connor from Limerick, spoke to John Mulligan ahead of his 2026 World Darts Championship opener on Friday (19th December) against Krzysztof Kciuk of Poland.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne manager Willie Ward joined George McDonagh and John Mulligan on Monday's 'Over the Line' to discuss their victory over St. Ergnat's, Moneyglass, which sealed their fifth All-Ireland Championship in a row on Saturday at Croke Park.

John Mulligan and Sean Carley look back at a busy weekend of sport in Galway and involving Galway teams. 

Darren Kelly speaks to the Galway Bay FM Player of the Match Siobhan Divilly, after her outstanding performance in the All-Ireland Final victory over St. Ergnat's Moneyglass.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne's Lynsey Noone spoke to Darren Kelly after victory over St Ergnat's in Croke Park on Saturday...

Kilkerrin-Clonberne's goalscorer Chloe Miskell spoke to Darren Kelly after her crucial role in overcoming Moneyglass...

Darren Kelly reports from Croke Park where Kilkerrin-Clonberne were crowned All-Ireland Champions after a 2-5 to 1-8 victory over St. Ergnat's Moneyglass...

Kilkerrin-Clonberne Goalkeeper Lisa Murphy after her side's All-Ireland Final Victory over St. Ergnat's, Moneyglass...

Kilkerrin-Clonberne manager Willie Ward and his captain and daughter Louise Ward speak to Tommy Devane after the victory over St. Ergnat's Moneyglass in the All-Ireland Final to claim their fifth All-Ireland title in a row...

The commentary from Tommy Devane and Niamh Duggan at Croke Park as Kilkerrin-Clonberne defeated St. Ergnat's, Moneyglass, to win their fifth All-Ireland Senior Title in a row...

Kilkerrin-Clonberne's Eva Noone spoke to Tommy Devane after her side were crowned All-Ireland Senior LGFA Champions, after defeating St. Ergnat's, Moneyglass at Croke Park on Saturday evening on a scoreline of 2-8 to 1-5...

Kilkerrin-Clonberne's Nicola Ward speaks to Tommy Devane at Croke Park after her side were crowned All-Ireland Senior Football Champions for the fifth consecutive time...

Ollie Turner reports from The Green as Creggs were defeated by Dromore in the All-Ireland Junior Cup semi-final on a scoreline of 32 points to 21.

Caltra Cuans Manager Peter Birch spoke to Darren Kelly after his side were defeated by Knockbride in the All-Ireland LGFA Intermediate Final on Saturday afternoon at Croke Park on a scoreline of 3-10 to 0-4.