Thar an Trasnán: Saturday, June 27th 2026 - Men’s Senior Football Championship

Galway Boston vs Shannon Blues

Saturday, June 27th 2026, 5:00PM

Galway Boston 1-14 | Shannon Blues 1-9

The scoring opened with a point from Galway’s Cathal Sweeney. The Blues responded through Blake Murphy after a kick pass inside from Paddy Kelly.

Galway replied with a fisted point over the bar from Rian Teahan. After Blake Murphy’s point attempt struck the crossbar, Ryan O’Donnell reacted quickest to the rebound to level the game at two points apiece. Paddy Kelly then added a point for the Blues to put them in front.

Galway responded through Nathan Grainger, who linked up well with Darragh O’Sullivan before splitting the posts to level the game once again. O’Sullivan added a point shortly afterwards to put Galway back in front.

Shannon Blues’ Ryan Nugent was shown a black card, leaving his side down a player for the next 10 minutes. Galway were then awarded a penalty and Nathan Grainger stepped up to take it. His initial effort was well saved by Blues goalkeeper Eoin Blanchfield, but Grainger reacted quickest to the rebound and fired the ball into the back of the net to give Galway the first goal of the game.

The heavens opened 17 minutes into the contest, with the heavy rain making conditions difficult.

Conor Gray added a point for the Blues after a kick pass inside from Rian Fitzpatrick.

The Blues levelled the game when Paddy Kelly broke through the Galway defence, soloed through and found the back of the net to make it 1-4 apiece.

Cathal Sweeney nudged Galway back in front with a point after Grainger played a free short. The Blues were awarded a free just inside the arc and Blake Murphy converted to level the sides once again.

The rain continued to pour as conditions became increasingly wet and slippery. Galway finished the half strongly with points from Rian Teahan and Darragh O’Sullivan.

Half-time:

Galway Boston 1-7 | Shannon Blues 1-5

Galway opened the scoring in the second half through Nathan Grainger before Rian Teahan added another point to extend Galway’s lead to four.

Galway burst through the Blues defence again, but Grainger’s effort drifted just wide to the left. Blake Murphy responded with a pointed free for the Blues to make it 1-9 to 1-6 after six minutes of the second half.

Blues substitute #15 came off the bench and pointed to reduce the margin to two. The Blues then had a chance to level the game with a 2-point free, but Rian Fitzpatrick’s effort went wide.

Galway substitute Darragh Swords made an immediate impact with a point for his side. The Blues had another opportunity from a 2-point free, but were unable to convert. Fionn Duggan won a kickout and drove forward before linking up with Paddy Kelly, whose shot was blocked down by the Galway defence. Blues substitute #20 gathered the rebound, but his effort drifted just wide.

Darragh Swords added a pointed free for Galway before Cathal Sweeney added another to extend Galway’s lead to five, 1-12 to 1-7.

Blues substitute #22 pointed from just inside the arc with four minutes of normal time remaining to reduce the deficit to four. Paddy Kelly added a free for the Blues to bring it back to a three-point game at 1-12 to 1-9.

The Blues had another opportunity from a 2-point free, but the effort dropped short and came back into play. Galway worked the ball patiently up the field but their attack drifted wide. The Blues had one final 2-point attempt in the closing stages, but it also went wide.

Galway were awarded a free just before the final whistle and Nathan Grainger made no mistake in converting the 2-pointer to seal Galway’s third consecutive championship victory.

The referee blew the full-time whistle shortly afterwards as Galway maintained their unbeaten start to the championship.

Full-time:

Galway Boston 1-14 | Shannon Blues 1-9

Teams & Scorers:

Galway Boston: