Here we go. It’s All-Ireland semi-final weekend!

Cork and Galway open the last four action at Croke Park this afternoon, before Limerick and Clare go head to head on Sunday as the Race for the Liam MacCarthy Cup reaches fever pitch.

Cork are targetting their third final appearance in a row – and an end to a 21-year wait for All-Ireland glory. Galway are looking to reach their first final since 2018, having last reigned supreme the previous year.

Throw-in is at 3.30pm, with the game live on RTÉ One and BBC Two NI, but we’ll keep you up to date right here.

Fans are arriving to Croke Park in their droves. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Team news

Here’s how both teams have been named to start. We’ll let you know if there are any late changes.

Cork

1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)

2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)

5. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)

8. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 9. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton)

10. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville, captain), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold)

13. Alan Walsh (Kanturk), 14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s)
Subs

Galway

1. Darach Fahy (Ardrahan)

2. Joshua Ryan (Clarinbridge), 3. Cillian Trayers (Turloughmore), 4. Darren Morrissey (Sarsfields – captain)

5. Padraic Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh), 6. Daithí Burke (Turloughmore), 7. Ronan Glennon (Mullagh)

8. Tiernan Killeen (Loughrea), 9. Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge)

10. Tom Monaghan (Craughwell), 11. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh Fohenagh), 12. Darragh Neary (Castlegar),

13, Jason Rabbitte (Athenry), 14. Conor Whelan (Kinvara), 15. Aaron Niland (Clarinbridge)

The preceding All-Ireland camogie quarter-final went to extra-time, and Kilkenny have beaten Waterford 2-19 to 1-19. A huge win for the Cats.

Some pre-match reading to get stuck into ahead of throw-in…

• Cork’s main man – how Hayes has become central as latest Galway test awaits
• Clarinbridge connection inspiring Aaron Niland’s unorthodox free-taking technique
• ‘In the playing group, we appreciate him’ – The wait for a Croke Park chance with Cork

Or a podcast clip, from our man in Croke Park Fintan O’Toole, if you’d prefer a quick hit…

“I’d say they’ll be absolutely ravenous to make the most of this opportunity.”

🎙️ @fotoole13

Listen to the GAA Weekly preview of this weekend's All-Ireland SHC semi-finals on The 42 app or wherever you get your podcasts. pic.twitter.com/TiUuvOAAM5

— The42.ie (@The42_ie) July 3, 2026

This will whet the appetite nicely, too.

'The Cork and Galway rivalry stretches back over a hundred years'
Watch Galway v Cork on @rteone and @rteplayer on Saturday from 3pm pic.twitter.com/9SCAfo9wXt

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 3, 2026

10 minutes to go – time to call it.

Who will win and progress to the 2026 All-Ireland senior hurling final?

The pre-match formalities are underway in a loud and colorful Croke Park. Nearly go time. Buckle up!

THROW-IN! Johnny Murphy gets the action underway.

Cork 0-0 Galway 0-1

1 min - Tom Monaghan with the first score of the game. Lively start.

Cork 0-0 Galway 0-2

3 mins - Aaron Niland doubles Galway’s early lead with the first free of the game. Damien Cahalane adjudged to have fouled Jason Rabbitte.

Cork 0-0 Galway 0-3 

4 mins - Cathal Mannion lands a huge point to make it three on the bounce for the Tribe.

Cork 0-2 Galway 0-3

5 mins - Shane Barrett hits Cork’s first score from a tight angle. Early days but they needed that to settle. Brian Hayes has just added another.

GOAL! Galway 1-3 Cork 0-2 (Darragh Neary, 6 mins)

Galway’s dream start continues, Darragh Neary rattling the net at the Hill 16 End after being slipped through by Conor Whelan.

Cork 0-2 Galway 1-4

8 mins - Rabbitte with a monstrous point from distance before Galway hit their first wide of the game through Monaghan. 

Cork 0-4 Galway 1-4

10 mins - Hayes and Darragh Fitzgibbon with much-needed back to back points for Cork after Galway’s early marker.

Cork 0-5 Galway 1-4

11 mins – Alan Connolly reduces the gap to two with his first free, which was drawn by Shane Barrett.

Here’s the Darragh Neary goal that has Galway in the early ascendency:

Goal for Galway: Darragh Neary puts it in the back of the net and the Tribesmen take a commanding early lead

📺Watch on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
📻Listen on RTÉ Radio 1 pic.twitter.com/CqI29vDkud

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 4, 2026

Cork 0-5 Galway 1-5 

13 mins - Whelan’s effort from a tight angle is deemed over by HawkEye. All six Galway forwards have now scored.

Cork 0-6 Galway 1-5

15 mins - Connolly taps over another Cork free. 

Temporary Galway sub as Padraic Mannion needs to change his bloodied jersey.

Cork 0-7 Galway 1-6

SAVE! Darach Fahy denies Diarmuid Healy, but Galway can’t clear their lines and Connolly fires over. They respond immediately at the other end.

Cork 0-8 Galway 1-7

20 mins - Connolly’s latest free brings the deficit to one, before Tiernan Killeen splits the posts at the other end.

Galway's Cathal Mannion comes up against Robert Downey of Cork . James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Cork 0-9 Galway 1-7

21 mins – Hayes with his third point of the day. He has been menacing already, causing serious problems for Daithi Burke as he returns from injury.

Cork 0-9 Galway 1-7

23 mins - Rabbitte with Galway’s fourth wide. Eoin Downey had fired over just beforehand, but he’s pinged for steps. 

GOAL! Cork 1-9 Galway 1-7 (Alan Walsh, 23 mins)

Cork go direct and raise their first green flag of the afternoon. Downey sends a sideline straight into the area, Walsh turns and rifles home. What a goal!

‘Rebels, Rebels’ rings out around Croker.

Cork 1-10 Galway 1-7 

26 mins - Hayes with his fourth point from an extremely tight angle, shaking off Burke once more.

Cork 1-11 Galway 1-7

28 mins - Hayes with his fifth from play, after another good sideline from Mark Coleman. Comes shortly after Aaron Niland’s effort from a free drops short at the other end.

Cork 1-12 Galway 1-7

30 mins - Fitzgibbon fires over with Cork firing on all cylinders now, they move quick after a turnover on Conor Whelan and stretch their lead to five.

Here’s Alan Walsh’s goal that has helped Cork claw on top:

Cork are right back in it Alan Walsh lashes one past Darach Fahy and cuts the deficit to two

📺Watch on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
📻Listen on RTÉ Radio 1 pic.twitter.com/KllKrTJwMR

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 4, 2026

Cork 1-12 Galway 1-8

31 mins - Niland’s free ends a 12-minute scoreless spell for Galway after Cahalane is booked for a pull down on Rabbitte. 

Cork 1-12 Galway 1-9

33 mins - Rabbitte gets the better of Cahalane and fires over to bring Galway within three points.

Cork 1-12 Galway 1-9

34 mins - Hayes again for 0-6 after Connolly’s indirect free for Ronan Glennon’s challenge on Barrett. Boos from the Cork crowd as he doesn’t join Cahalane on a yellow card.

Cork 1-13 Galway 1-11

35 mins – Darren Morrissey and Monaghan on target for Galway, as three minutes are added on.

Cork 1-13 Galway 1-12

35 mins +3 – Niland’s latest free brings Galway within a point, after two disappointing wides. Sean O’Donoghue joins Cahalane on a yellow card for a high challenge on Rabbitte. 

And that’s that…

HALF-TIME: Cork 1-13 Galway 1-12

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

A brilliant, battling first half at Croke Park, as Cork lead by the minimum, 1-13 to 1-12. 

Galway enjoyed a dream start, buoyed by Darragh Neary’s sixth-minute goal and they led by five points – 1-4 to 0-2 – shortly afterwards. Cork found their feet, and powered in front when Alan Walsh’s goal made it 1-9 to 1-7 in the 23rd minute. 

With Brian Hayes in inspiring form, they clawed on top and led by five – 1-12 to 1-7 – on the half-hour mark, but Galway finished strongly to get back within a point.

A huge second half ahead. Interesting to see what tweaks might be made at half-time: Cork defenders Damien Cahalane and Sean O’Donoghue are both on yellow cards.

Galway rally yields 0-5 in last 5 minutes of the second half. They're right in this but so much is going to hinge on Brian Hayes.

He's been electric for Cork in first half, 0-6 from play, fouled for a pointed free and set up goal chance for Diarmuid Healy.

— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 4, 2026

SECOND-HALF! We go again. 

Cormac O’Brien replaces Cahalane.

Cork 1-13 Galway 1-13

36 mins – Killeen levels matters straight from the throw-in.

Fitzgibbon sees yellow for a high challenge.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-14

37 mins - Barrett and Glennon trade scores.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-14

39 mins – Niland’s long-range free floats well wide, Galway’s eighth of the game compared to Cork’s one.

Rob Downey is okay to continue after receiving treatment.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-15

40 mins - Padraic Mannion edges Galway back in front as they press the puck out.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-16

42 mins – Monaghan lands a huge score from range after a promising Cork attack breaks down.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-17

43 mins - Another huge Galway cheer as HawkEye confirms Rabbitte’s third score of the game to move the Tribe three ahead.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-18

44 mins – An even bigger roar as Whelan fires over. A real purple patch for Galway here, can Cork stem the tide?

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-19

45 mins – Not yet anyway! Glennon the latest on target and Galway are humming. They lead the second half 0-7 to 0-1.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-19

45 mins - Hayes drags wide, just Cork’s second of the day. They haven’t scored in almost 10 minutes.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-20

46 mins – Gavin Lee gets in on the Galway scoring act as they exert their dominance in the third quarter.

Galway sub - Conor Cooney in for Niland.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-21

48 mins - Shades of the 2025 All-Ireland final here, with Cork reeling and Galway roaring. They tag on another!

Cork sub - Robbie O’Flynn for O’Connell.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-22

49 mins - Another point from Cathal Mannion, and Galway lead by eight!

Cork have only scored once since half-time, they really need something. 

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-22

51 mins - Hayes goes in the book, and there’s a break in play as a player gets treatment.

Cork sub - William Buckley for Connolly.

Cork 1-14 Galway 1-22

52 mins - A staggering second-half scoreline so far, 0-10 to 0-1 to Galway.

Another Cork sub - Barry Walsh for Alan Walsh.

Cork 1-15 Galway 1-22

53 mins - Hayes hits his seventh point of the game for Cork’s first score in 16 minutes.

Much needed, to say the very least.

Cork 1-16 Galway 1-22

54 mins - The pacy and direct William Buckley with a good score to cut the gap to six.

RED CARD! Darragh Fitzgibbon is sent off for a second yellow card. 

Referee Johnny Murphy signals at head contact. A huge, huge blow for Cork. Bad to worse.

Cork 1-16 Galway 1-23

56 mins - Mannion lands the free.

Galway sub - Cian Daniels for Ryan.

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-23

57 mins – Barrett taps over a free as Cork boos ring around Croke Park. 

Hayes went to ground after a challenge from Cillian Travers, there are calls for a black card, but Murphy doesn’t go to his notebook as he awards the free.

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-23

59 mins - More boos as Murphy collides with a Cork player. 

Concern for Eoin Downey who limps off and looks like that could be the end of his day. Can 14-man Cork turn this around?

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-23

60 mins - Mannion with Galway’s 11th wide, they still lead by six.

Cork sub - Ger Mellerick for Eoin Downey.

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-23

62 mins - Barrett the latest Cork player to go in the book for swiping his hurley at a Galway player after a being turned over. Frustration.

Galway sub – John Fleming for Killeen.

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-23

64 mins – SAVES! Fahy denies a Barrett goal chance, Collins then steps up at the other end. Chaos.

Neary with Galway’s 12th wide just beforehand

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-24

64 mins - Fleming sends Galway seven points clear. Cork wide at the other end. ‘Galway, Galway’ rings out.

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-24

66 mins – Barrett charges at the Galway defence, with Cork in dire need of a goal, but he’s smothered.

Galway sub - Brian Concannon for Lee.

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-25

67 mins - Whelan lifts over as Galway lead by eight!

Second-half score: Galway 0-13 Cork 0-4.

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-26

69 mins – Cooney fires over, Galway lead by nine. O’Flynn with a poor wide for Cork just beforehand, and Coleman’s free afterwards drifts wide. 

Five minutes added on.

Cork 1-17 Galway 1-26

70 mins (+2) - Cork are floored, but trying desperately for a goal, to no avail. Hayes is suffocated, he has tried everything in fairness but can’t do it all alone.

Galway sub - Sean Linnane is on, not sure who for.

GOAL! Galway 2-26 Cork 1-17 (Conor Cooney, 73 mins)

WOOOOOW. A superb goal from Cooney. The cherry on top for Galway.

Cork 1-18 Galway 2-26 

70 mins (+4) - The Fields of Athenry ring out as Galway fans call for the final whistle. 

Incredible stuff.

FULL-TIME: Cork 1-18 Galway 2-26

james lawlor photos james lawlor photos

Wow! Galway are into the All-Ireland senior hurling final after a stunning second half blew Cork away. The Tribe return for the first time since 2018, having last reigned supreme the previous year. They will face the winners of Limerick and Clare.

Cork’s long wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup goes on after another second half collapse, shades of last year’s final as Ben O’Connor’s side are left floored.

Micheál Donoghue’s side trailed by one at the break – 1-12 to 1-13 – but won the second half on an astonishing scoreline of 1-13 to 0-6. Cork were reduced to 14 men after Darragh Fitzgibbon’s second yellow card in the 56th minute, but this was a richly deserved victory for Galway.

That’s all from our liveblog, but Fintan O’Toole’s match report from Croke Park will be on The 42 imminently. Plenty of reaction, analysis and colour will follow. 

Join us again tomorrow for Limerick versus Clare as the Race for the Liam MacCarthy Cup continues apace.

Thanks for reading – enjoy your evening!