Croke Park will play host to the 2026 All-Ireland Hurling Final on Sunday, July 19th, as Limerick take on Galway in a repeat of the epic 2018 decider.
Both sides booked their spot in this year's decider in dramatic fashion after a weekend of semi-final action that few will forget, and while our oddsmakers have Limerick priced up as clear favourites to lift the Liam MacCarthy, Galway will point to their own semi-final heroics as reason for belief.
Final Details
2026 All-Ireland Hurling Final Match Details
Matchup: Galway vs Limerick
Date: Sunday, July 19th, 2026
Time: 15:30
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Betting Odds
2026 All-Ireland Hurling Final Betting Odds
To Lift Liam MacCarthy
To Lift the Cup
Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
Limerick | 2/5 |
Galway | 15/8 |
Full-Time Result
70-Minute Result
Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
Limerick | 4/9 |
Draw | 8/1 |
Galway | 9/4 |
Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting
Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
Limerick -4 | 10/11 |
Draw (handicap) | 12/1 |
Galway +4 | 10/11 |
Path To The Final
Road to the 2026 All-Ireland Hurling Final
Limerick Survive Clare Scare
Limerick's place in the final was anything but straightforward, coming from behind to beat Clare 1-21 to 1-19 in the second semi-final on Sunday.
Clare led for most of the contest and looked set to cause a major upset when Tony Kelly converted a penalty to put them six points clear with 56 minutes played.
Remarkably, Clare would not score again for the remainder of the game. Limerick chipped away at the deficit before Aidan O'Connor's goal, beating Clare goalkeeper Darragh Lohan as the clock struck 70 minutes, put them ahead for good.
Galway Stun Cork in Semi-Final Rout
Galway produced the shock of the weekend on Saturday, demolishing hot favourites Cork by 11 points, 2-26 to 1-18, in the first semi-final. It was a complete team performance, with all six of Galway's starting forwards scoring at least three points and both starting midfielders also chipping in.
Cork had been five points clear with almost half an hour played and looked on course for another final appearance, but Galway responded by outscoring them 1-19 to 0-06 for the remainder of the game. Central to the turnaround was Galway's ability to stifle the Cork puckout over the final 40 minutes.
Form Guide
Form Guide
Galway – 2026 Championship Results
- Leinster SHC Group Stage: Galway 3-25 (34) – 1-16 (19) Kilkenny
- Leinster SHC Group Stage: Galway 2-26 (32) – 1-18 (21) Offaly
- Leinster SHC Group Stage: Galway 4-22 (34) – 1-22 (25) Kildare
- Leinster SHC Group Stage: Galway 0-21 (21) – 3-15 (24) Dublin
- Leinster SHC Group Stage: Galway 2-31 (37) – 3-20 (29) Wexford
- Leinster Final: Galway 4-29 (41) – 4-15 (27) Dublin
- All-Ireland Semi-Final: Galway 2-26 (32) – 1-18 (21) Cork
Limerick – 2026 Championship Results
- Munster SHC Group Stage: Limerick 1-23 (26) – 2-22 (28) Cork
- Munster SHC Group Stage: Limerick 2-30 (36) – 1-18 (21) Clare
- Munster SHC Group Stage: Limerick 2-29 (35) – 2-20 (26) Waterford
- Munster SHC Group Stage: Limerick 5-27 (42) – 0-25 (25) Tipperary
- Munster Final: Limerick 1-21 (24) – 2-17 (23) Cork
- All-Ireland Semi-Final: Limerick 1-21 (24) – 1-19 (22) Clare
Head-to-Head Rivalry
Head-to-Head History
Limerick lead the all-time senior championship series 10-4, with one draw between the counties.
Galway's strongest spell against Limerick came in the 1980s, headlined by their famous 1980 All-Ireland final win, followed by a dramatic two-game semi-final saga in 1981 which the Tribesmen would also come out on top in after a semi-final replay.
The rivalry has intensified in recent years, with Limerick winning four straight championship meetings between 2018 and 2023, including the 2018 All-Ireland final. That win ended a 45-year wait for Limerick to get their hands on the Liam MacCarthy Cup, and they will be looking to continue their recent dominance over Galway when the sides meet again at Croke Park on July 19th.
Bet on Hurling Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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Dylan has forgotten more about the world of sports betting than many will ever know. Seven years in the game will give you that kind of perspective, and he brings that knowledge to the BOYLE Sports Blog. This long-suffering Mayo man has a particular passion for Gaelic football, American football and golf.
