The 2026 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship comes to an end this weekend when Galway and Limerick meet in the decider at Croke Park.
One of the biggest days in the hurling calendar is almost here, with the two provincial champions set to face off in the All-Ireland final for the first time in three years.
The winner will get to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup, with Limerick looking for their first victory since 2023, when they completed four in a row, while Galway are looking for their first triumph since 2017.
Limerick are looking to win their 13th All-Ireland title, while Galway are looking for their sixth, with the Tribesmen having a disappointing record in finals this century, losing five, while Limerick have only lost one.
Galway finished second in the Leinster Championship table, losing to Dublin in the round robin, but they bounced back to brush them aside with ease in the Leinster final, winning 4-29 to 4-15. In the All-Ireland semi-final, Galway came from behind to comprehensively beat Cork 2-26 to 1-18.
Limerick also finished second in their provincial round robin, losing to Cork before beating them in the Munster final. Then they had a close call against Clare in the semi-final, where they were behind for long periods of the second half but managed to scrape through, winning 1-21 to 1-19.
The two counties have previously met three times in the All-Ireland final, with the Connacht men winning the 1923 and 1980 editions, before the Treaty men got one back with that victory in 2018.
The sides have met 15 times previously in the championship, with Limerick having 10 wins, Galway with four, and a draw in the 1981 All-Ireland semi-final. Recent history is not on the Connacht men’s side either, as their last win came in a qualifier in 2005.
After their narrow 2018 final victory over Galway, Limerick won All-Ireland semi-finals against the Tribesmen in 2020, 2022 and 2023. They were also victorious when the sides clashed in the National Hurling League in the spring, winning by two points.
Date
The game is on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Throw-in time
The game starts at 3:30 pm Irish time.
Venue
The game will be played at Croke Park on the north side of Dublin.
TV information
Fans can watch the All-Ireland hurling final live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, with build-up beginning at 2:15 pm. Highlights and reaction to the big match on The Sunday Game (9:30 pm) on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Odds at time of writing
Galway – 12/5
Limerick – 1/3
