DUBLIN — Galway defeated Cork 2-26 to 1-18 in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (SHC) semi-final at Croke Park on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The victory advances Galway to face the winner of the Clare versus Limerick semi-final.

Conor Cooney contributed 1-1 for Galway, and Jason Rabbitte scored three points. Galway had 14 different scorers in the match. For Cork, Brian Hayes scored seven points. Cork captain Darragh Fitzgibbon received a second yellow card, and Cork ultimately had six different scorers.

Ahead of the match, Cork had finished at the top of the Munster Championship table, securing four wins from four games. They defeated Offaly 6-25 to 2-11 in an All-Ireland quarter-final at Semple Stadium. Galway had finished second in the Leinster Championship, winning four of their five games, and defeated Dublin 4-29 to 4-15 in the Leinster final at Croke Park.

Jason Forde, a three-time All-Ireland winner with Tipperary, commented on Galway's progress. "Galway have been steadily progressing. I think winning Leinster was a big thing for them," Forde said. He added, "Micheal Donoghue has brought a lot of youth into the team which has benefitted them. They have pacy, young players who will have no fear, but if you're going on form you'd be tipping Cork." Forde also noted Cork's recent scoring, saying, "They got back scoring goals with six the last day against Offaly and their forwards look to be really on it."

The other All-Ireland SHC semi-final at Croke Park will feature Clare against Limerick on Sunday, July 5, 2026, scheduled to begin at 16:00 BST. Clare finished third in the Munster Championship with two wins from four games. Limerick defeated Clare 2-30 to 1-18 in the Munster Championship in May 2026. Clare also defeated Dublin 0-29 to 0-16 in an All-Ireland quarter-final in Thurles.

Seamus Flanagan, a five-time All-Ireland winner with Limerick, reviewed the upcoming match. "Everyone is leaning towards a Limerick whitewash and I just don't see it. These two teams bring the absolute best out of each other," Flanagan said. He continued, "From a Clare perspective I'd akin it to the last dance for a lot of them. It's been so up and down. If you're Limerick and doing analysis, what game do you pick and say here is how Clare play? When they've been good they've been so good, but when they've been poor they've been so poor." Flanagan concluded, "Clare know exactly what Limerick will bring. They know the challenge that's ahead of them. It's intriguing. Clare will have to go to a level we haven't seen this year to beat Limerick."

The semi-finals were broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two NI. The All-Ireland SHC final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026.