Galway Bay FM - Sports

Sean Carley rounds up the sporting weekend, including: Galway's victory over Kilkenny in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship  Galway's win over Laois in the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Galway's loss to Tipperary in the U23 Camogie Championship Galway U16 Camogie's victory over Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final Connacht beating the Stromers in Cape Town Galway United's loss to Dundalk in the League of Ireland Men's Premier Division Galway United Women's fourth consecutive league victory away to Treaty United Local Soccer Racing at the Curragh and Tramore

Members of Galway Corinthians RFC will be losing the club jersey and putting on outfits of a different kind as they take to the stage for the Corinthians Lip Sync Legends on Sunday 3rd of May at the Galmont Hotel in Galway. All acts will do their best to impress the judging panel and what is sure to be a supportive It will be a fantastic night of entertainment with 14 acts and over 80 performers taking to the stage. HOWEVER, there can only be one winner! The event is being organised by Fundraising Events Group, a group with a long standing record of excellent Lip Sync Shows. Proceeds from the event goes toward the development of facilities at the club. Fergal Leonard, John Fox, Aisling Kearney Burke and Dave Watterson joined John in studio to talk about the event.

Sean Walsh reports from Pearse Stadium after Galway defeated Kilkenny in the opening round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship on Saturday afternoon...

Galway's Tiernan Kileen spoke to Niall Canavan after Galway's victory over Kilkenny in the opening round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday afternoon...

The June Bank Holiday weekend will see runners from all over the country once again visit Galway for the 2026 Connacht Backyard Ultra.  This sold out event at the Brothers of Charity in Clarinbridge, starts at 12 noon on Saturday May 30th, involves athletes running a 6.7km loop in an hour.  Following a short break, they then go out on another loop of the course and continue on until they stop with the event using a last person standing format.  The winner will complete approximately 40 loops, which will take them 40 hours. The event is also now under the IMRA - Irish Mountain Running Association umbrella of events. The IMRA calendar has 175 events across 21 counties. 6 of which are in county Galway. The IMRA Galway league is 5 races over 5 months. April to August. With distances of 7km -> 11km Francis Kelly - Chairperson of Galway Trail Running AC and co race director of the Connacht Backyard Ultra, spoke to John Mulligan.  

After success of the Sunchasers Charity Cycle last year which raised over €14,000 for charity, they have decided to go again this year. Once again the route is Dublin to Galway and their arrival this year will coincide with Connacht and Munster at Dexcom Stadium on May 9th. There's going to be a core crew of about 20 doing the cycle on both days, but they are seeking to get community involvement as well. This can be done in two ways... On the 8th of May at 5pm.  An "Extra Mile" Cycle will take place from Athlone Springs Hotel to Curraghboy National School. Or On the 9th of May at 2 pm, by taking part in The "Last Leg" Cycle from The Filling Station, Athenry into Eyre Square and then up to Dexcom Stadium.  Kevin Lavin is the organiser of the cycle and he spoke to John Mulligan  You can donate by clicking on the link HERE. Kevin can also be contacted via email at Sunchasersgalway@gmail.com.

Galway Senior Hurling Manager Micheal Donoghue speaks to Niall Canavan after Galway's victory over Kilkenny in the opening round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship on Saturday afternoon...

Sean Walsh, Cyril Farrell and Andy Coen discuss Galway's impressive victory over Kilkenny in the opening round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.

Commentary by Niall Canavan, Sean Walsh, Cyrill Farrell and Andy Coen of Galway's victory over Kilkenny in the opening round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship at Pearse Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

SOCCER: Galway United manager John Caulfield with Galway Bay FM's Mike Rafferty and assembled media after therir defeat to Dundalk

Galway United didn't make it three wins in succession in the SSE Airtricity League Men's Premier Division at Oriel Park on Friday (17th April 2026) as Dundalk outscored them in a last 10 minute goal blitz to secure a first competitive victory over the Tribesmen since 2017. Declan McDaid scored for the Lilywhites on 81 and 85 minutes to put Ciarán Kilduff's team clear before Stephen Walsh replied with a Galway United consolation. Galway Bay FM's match commentary team were Mike Rafferty and Derek Rogers. == Galway United's next game is away to bottom side Waterford next Friday (24th).  Kick-off at Waterford RSC is 7.45pm and we'll have LIVE coverage here on Galway Bay FM.

Ballinasloe's Beibhinn Parsons and Kilconly's Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald have maintained their starting places in the Ireland team for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Italy, while Connacht's Anna McGann is also in the matchday squad. Following their opening day 33-12 defeat to England, Ireland are looking to bounce back against an Italian outfit who suffered a 40-7 reversal against France.  And even though Ireland won 54-12 when they met last year, the previous two tests went in favour of Le Azzure. Ireland captain Erin King was a try scorer in Round 1 and she looked ahead to the game with Galway Bay FM's William Davies, who asked her first how the Captain's Run went. == Kick-off at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday is 5.40pm and we'll have updates here on Galway Bay FM.

Gus Lohan and Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh are the two survivors from last  year's starting team for Galway's Leinster minor championship opener against Laois on Saturday (18th April 2026). Galway are in a group with Wexford and Westmeath, but crossplay teams from the other group with Kilkenny and Dublin to come over the next two weeks. Leading up to the Laois game, Galway manager Kenneth Burke has been chatting to Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan. == Throw-in at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday is 12pm and we'll have full coverage on our website galwaybayfm.ie.

Racing in Ireland on Saturday is in Bellewstown (18th April 2026). Cross-channel, there are meetings in Ayr, Bangor-on-Dee, Newbury, Thirsk and Nottingham. With his 'Saturday Six,' here's Galway Bay FM's George McDonagh.

The Inaugural Connacht Masters Gaelic Football Championship will take place this Saturday at the Connacht GAA Centre in Bekan. Six teams are involved with Galway joined by Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, London and Longford/Leitrim. The Galway Masters have been drawn in group A along with Sligo and London and will play their first game against Sligo at 12 Noon with their second game against London throwing in at 1.20. All proceeds from the Championship will go to Down Syndrome Ireland. Eoin O'Donnellan spoke to John Mulligan about the weekend and he told John that everyone is looking forward to it.    You can donate to Down Syndrome Ireland at the link below. https://www.idonate.ie/event/InauguralConnachtMastersGAABlitz 

This Saturday, Galway Corinthians will aim to go one step further in their bid for promotion to Division 1B of the Energia League when they travel to the Mardyke to face UCC (Kick off - 2.30pm). Corinthians are going into this game in good form. Wins at the back end of the regular season including crucial bonus point wins in Ballymena and Banbridge saw them back in contention and while it took a Barnhall win over Wanderers to copper fasten the place in the playoffs, it was no more than what was deserved for the side coached by Ambrose Conboy and Tommy Ellard. However, the challenge ahead will not be an easy one. Their opponents finished second from bottom in 1B and were unfortunate to end up where they did and they will be determined to keep their status at home. With the former Munster and Ireland scrum half Tomas O'Leary at the helm and featuring players like Sean Edogbo and Charlie O'Shea, they will be dangerous and Corinthians will have to be at the top of their game to counter their threat. John Mulligan spoke to Corinthians Head Coach Ambrose Conboy ahead of Saturday's game.  He put it to Ambrose that there must be a buzz in the camp ahead of Saturday given their recent wins. 

All is now almost ready for the 2026 Salthill 5's that will take place over the June Bank Holiday weekend.  Since 1977, the 5's has seen teams from all over the world come to Galway for a weekend of football and fun and this year is no exception. There will be three competitions starting on Saturday the 30th. U13 Boys and Girls and a Senior Men's Tournament that is already sold out.  Organised by Salthill Devon, the 5's is a highlight in the Galway sporting calendar.  Pete Kelly is one of the organisers of the 5's and he sat down with John Mulligan to talk about this year's edition. 

This week Niall & Sean host a Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Preview on Hurling Chat. Guests Andy Coen, Cyril Farrell, Johnny Coen & Jeff Lynskey look at: Can Galway build on the early season promise in the heat of Championship? Kilkenny will arrive on Saturday with a ferocious intent to overturn the league result..... The other Leinster opposition, namely Offaly, Kildare, Dublin & Wexford.... The ultra competitive Munster championship & what 3 teams could come out.... Jeff, who is part of the Laois management team, gives an insight into their year so far with the Joe McDonagh campaign also starting this weekend.

This week on 'Over The Line' with Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly and Sean Carley: Denis Kirwan chats about Rory McIlroy's US Masters success in Augusta; Imelda Hobbins looks back on Galway National Camogie League Final victory over Waterford; Tracey Leonard reflects on Galway's Ladies National Football League Final defeat to Cork; Adrian O'Neill talsk about Titans performances in the National Basketball League Finals; And Ballinrobe racecourse manager John Flannelly sets the scene for their new season including the Mayo National; All this and more. == 'Over The Line' broadcasts every Monday from 8pm on Galway Bay FM.

With the 2026 racing season at Ballinrobe racecourse just days away (Friday, 17th April), interest is already building ahead of 10 fixtures over the year that will feature a mix of competitive national hunt and flat racing. Among the highlights will be McHale Raceday (Monday, 25th May), which hosts the biggest races run at Ballinrobe each year — the McHale Mayo National and the McHale Mayo Hurdle — attracting leading trainers and competitive fields. The McHale Mayo National has been won by horses from the Gordon Elliott yard for the past 3 years with last year's winner Western Fold going on to achieve success in the Tote Galway Plate and the Champion Chase in Gowran Park. Racecourse manager John Flannelly joined Galway Bay FM's George McDonagh on 'Over The Line' to chat about the season and the Mayo National. == Check out lunchtime sport on Galway Bay FM this Tuesday and Wednesday (14th/15th April) for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the McHale Raceday.

Galway captain Darren Morrissey spoke about the positivity around the Galway Camp, the infusion of youth and the massive challenge ahead of them on Saturday when he spoke to Galway Bay FM's Sean Walsh at the Launch of the Leinster Championship at Kinnity Castle Hotel recently.

At the recent Launch of the Leinster SHC in Kinnitty Castle, Kilkenny star Eoin Cody spoke to Sean and clearly outlined how Kilkenny have focused on this game for the past six weeks since the heavy loss to Galway in the League.

Galway's Niamh Mallon speaks to Tommy Devane after beating Waterford in the National Camogie League Division 1A Final.

Galway Bay FM's Tommy Devane gets the thoughts of the Galway Senior Camogie Captain Carrie Dolan after being crowned league champions with victory over Waterford at Nowlan Park Kilkenny...

Galway Senior Camogie Manager Cathal Murray speaks to Galway Bay FM's Tommy Devane after his side were crowned National Camogie League Division 1A Champions with victory over Waterford at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Sunday afternoon.

Tommy Devane reports from Nowlan Park after Galway were crowned National Camogie League Division 1A Champions after defeating Waterford on Sunday afternoon.

The commentary from Galway's victory over Waterford in the Division 1 A Camogie League Final by Tommy Devane and Imelda Hobbins...

Sean Carley looks back on the sporting weekend, including: Galway Camogie's League Final victory over Waterford The Galway Minor Camogie team qualifying for the All-Ireland final after beating Tipperary The Galway Ladies Footballers beaten by Cork in the League Final The Galway U20 Hurler's victory over Kildare in the Leinster Championship Connacht's loss to Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup Quarter Final Local soccer including the FAI Junior Cup Finals weekend in Basketball for Titans and Claregalway The #fulltimewhistle is sponsored by GetSetGo Game-changing online car, home and travel insurance that's faster, better and easier!

LGFA: Galway manager Daniel Moynihan with Galway Bay FM's Tommy Devane after their National League Final defeat to Cork

Commentary of Galway's heartbreaking LGFA National League Division 1 Final defeat to Cork at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick by Tommy Devane and Tracey Leonard...

Adrian O'Neill reports as Titans were beaten by Oblates in the U18 National Basketball League Final at the National Basketball Arena...

Galway are through to the All-Ireland Minor Camogie Final following  this four-point victory over Tipperary in Castletown Geoghegan on Saturday (11th April 2026). Amy Kenny and Leah Forde got the goals for the victors, while Mary Brigid Cosgrove also prominent on the scoreboard. As a result, they will face  defending champions Kilkenny in the final in two weeks.  The Noresiders were 0-16 to 0-11 victors over Cork.  Galway are into a first final in four years, seeking a first success at this grade since 2017. Afterwards, Galway minor manager Fintan McNamara chatted to Galway Bay FM's PJ Lynch.

HURLING: Galway Bay FM's Sean Walsh, Niall Canavan and Johnny Coen look back on Galway's 1-19 to 0-9 victory over Kildare in the Leinster under-20 Championship

HURLING: Galway under-20 manager Gavin Keary with Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan after their victory over Kildare in the Leinster championship