Galway Poker Festival – Final Day Wrap
As the curtain begins to fall on a major event like the Galway Poker Festival, it’s hard not to feel a sense of longing. Longing for one more deep run, another round of drinks with the poker crew, or simply one last chance to soak up the buzz of the poker floor. The Galmont Hotel once again played host to what has been a truly sublime week of poker in Galway.
Kicking off the day was the one everyone had been waiting for — the Galway Poker Festival Main Event Final Day. From an impressive 706 entries, players first had to navigate their way through the opening flights before battling it out on Day 2. When play resumed, just 24 players remained, all sharing the same goal: to leave Galway as champion. The total prize pool for the event stood at a staggering €420,214.
As eliminations mounted, payouts increased — and so did the tension on the floor. Local hero Jude Ainsworth, a former PokerStars PRO, looked like the man to beat for much of the final. Jude eventually bowed out in 4th place for €29,000, and upon his elimination the floor erupted in applause, acknowledging yet another deep run from the Galway favourite.
Throughout the final day, one story spread like wildfire. David Mulvany, a Community Employment Supervisor from Mullingar, had secured a Last Longer package to the Dublin Winter Festival for just €20. Using a single bullet, he navigated masterfully all the way to the final day. At one point at the final table, David found himself short-stacked, but two consecutive double-ups saw him right back in contention.
A deal was discussed when 3 remained but not agreed upon, and play continued. It was Kevin Lynch who exited next, finishing in 3rd place for €38,600. After a short break, the final two players returned to the felt. An ICM deal was negotiated and agreed upon, with €3,000 taken from each payout, leaving €6,000 and the trophy to play for.
The entire poker floor was captivated as the chip lead swung back and forth during an intense heads-up battle. Eventually, both players got their chips in the middle — and a winner was crowned. Davide Raschella who is no stranger to the IPT and was hoping to add to his IPT Dublin Final Main Event 2023 win, finished in 2nd place, pocketing €67,355.
The Galway Poker Festival Main Event Champion was David Mulvany who completed an incredible run, turning €20 into €70,844. The room erupted in applause as David claimed the title before heading back to Mullingar to celebrate with his family.
Next to get underway was the Galway 400, which attracted 180 entries, creating a prize pool of €62,210 — more than double the guarantee. Among the field were Dylan Sweeney, winner of the Claddagh Cup, and Vincent O’Toole, winner of the Omaha Progressive Bounty, though both fell short of making the money. In the end, it was Mark Johnston, who finished 3rd for €6,900. In the heads up an ICM deal was done meaning Liam Herward, claimed 2nd place and €12,250. Taking home the trophy and €14,200 was Hugh Smyth, 2024 IPT Leaderboard Winner.
The Monsterstack also drew 180 entries, producing a prize pool of €29,375 and once again smashing the guarantee. With deeper stacks in play, the tournament brought a unique dynamic to the festival. As players looked on while the Main Event reached its climax, the Monsterstack field slowly whittled down to a final table. Bartlomiej Jelinski, finished in 3rd place with €3,325. The prize pool was adjusted and play continued which led to Jamie Cunningham, taking 2nd and €6,000. The winner of the Monsterstack was Donegal’s Tomas Flanagan, who was the Summer in Dublin Main Event Winner he took home the trophy along with €6,350.
The Omaha 4/5 Card event attracted 66 entries, pushing the prize pool past the guarantee to €10,770. The field was stacked with regulars from the IPT circuit, including Killian Farrell, Daryl McAleenan, and Sam Zheng. Once the numbers dwindled and 3 remained the prize pool was adjusted. Ektor Strumi, runner-up in the Claddagh Cup, finished 3rd for €2,000. Zeik Tuit claimed 2nd for €2,400, while Shane Keary secured his first trophy of 2026 along with €3,000.
The Festival Closer offered players one final opportunity to take home silverware. A total of 37 entries generated a prize pool of €4,440. As the night wore on, farewells were exchanged until the next stop on the calendar. Harry Bradley finished 3rd for €850, and a heads-up deal saw Aidan Hynes take 2nd for €1,470. Claiming the trophy and €1,470 was Canada’s June Jenkins who also recently won the IPT Killarney 300.
Well folks, that’s a wrap.
The team at livepokerupdates would like to thank everyone involved in making the Galway Poker Festival an absolute cracker.
Stay tuned to LivePokerUpdates for all the action from the poker floor throughout the year.