Gus Lohan leads Oranmore Maree past Craughwell in Minor Hurling final

Oranmore Maree claimed back-to-back county minor hurling titles, further highlighting the strength of their underage structures and the talent coming through the club. The challenge now will be to translate that success into the adult ranks over the coming years.

Their achievement was particularly impressive considering a large majority of the squad were balancing football and hurling commitments throughout the season. They also reached the Minor A Football Championship final, where they suffered defeat to Micheál Breathnach.

Craughwell can also take plenty of encouragement from their campaign, having already secured the U16 A Hurling Championship title this year, while five members of their starting XV will be eligible for minor again next season.

The sides drew on October 26th after a late Eanna Morrissey free forced a replay and they returned to Kenny Park for the replay.

Craughwell made the brighter start, with Liam Reilly, Oran Collins and Ultan Leen on target for Dylan Morgan’s charges as they established a 0-3 to 0-1 advantage after ten minutes.

However, Oranmore Maree gradually imposed themselves on proceedings, dominating possession and moving the sliotar with greater purpose. Their movement in attack caused considerable problems for the Craughwell defence, who struggled to contain their opponents during a dominant spell.

Galway minor hurling captain Gus Lohan was particularly influential, registering seven points as Oranmore Maree scored ten of the next eleven points. His brother Paul Lohan, Jack Akham and Sean Clare also contributed as Gearoid Hannify’s side moved into a commanding 0-11 to 0-4 lead.

The 2025 Minor hurling champions were sharper in most departments, particularly around the middle third, where their ability to win possession and distribute the sliotar into dangerous areas allowed them to dictate proceedings.

There was no immediate sign of a Craughwell revival after the interval, with Lohan, Jamie Egan and Cian Mannion extending the defending champions’ advantage to 0-13 to 0-4 by the 36th minute.

Collins eventually registered Craughwell’s first point from play since the tenth minute, but Oranmore Maree continued to maintain control and held a ten-point advantage at 0-16 to 0-6 on 46 minutes.

However, the complexion of the contest changed dramatically as Craughwell began to play with greater intensity and urgency, putting their opponents under sustained pressure.

A goal from Collins sparked their revival before Ethan Whyte, Ultan Leen, Culann Leen and two points from Morrissey reduced the deficit to just two, 0-16 to 1-11, by the 57th minute.

Hannify’s charges needed a response, and Lohan delivered with an outstanding individual run before finishing brilliantly to the net. With a five-point advantage heading into the closing stages, the defending champions appeared to have weathered the storm.

However, Craughwell were far from finished. Two Culann Leen frees reduced the gap to three before Eoin Middleton showed excellent awareness to pick out an unmarked Collins, who drove the sliotar into the roof of the net to remarkably force extra time.

The opening period of extra time was evenly contested, with neither side able to establish a significant advantage. Two Lohan frees and a point from play through Egan helped Oranmore Maree edge 1-19 to 2-15 ahead, while Morrissey and Darragh O’Donnell kept Morgan’s side firmly in contention.

The decisive moment arrived when Lohan spotted Harry Glynn inside the full-forward line and delivered an excellent pass. Glynn turned his marker before firing his shot beyond Craughwell goalkeeper Darragh O’Hea.

Further points from Lohan and Mannion extended Oranmore Maree’s advantage to 2-21 to 2-16 by the 75th minute, and this time they appeared determined not to surrender their lead.

The men in yellow and green continued to battle, with Oisín O’Donovan, Shane Mitchell and Darragh O’Donnell reducing the deficit to 2-22 to 2-19 by the 79th minute. Another goal was required to force a penalty shootout, but Oranmore Maree held firm.

Mannion landed a late insurance point to seal a memorable victory and secure back-to-back minor hurling titles. Lohan’s leadership and attacking influence proved crucial, while Craughwell’s remarkable comeback ensured this was a final that will live long in the memory.

Egan, Lohan, Cian Mannion, Joey Cullinane and Aaron Hanrahan all produced solid displays for the victors. Ultan Leen, Oran Collins, Ethan Whyte and Eanna Morrissey were central in Craughwell almost pulling off a result.

ORANMORE MAREE: P McGrath; L O’Halloran, C Cusack, J Brennan; S Casey, C Hannify, A Hanrahan; E Healy, J Egan (0-3); G Lohan (1-12, 0-9 f), J Cullinane, P Lohan (0-2); C Mannion (0-4), J Akham (0-1), S Cleare (0-1). SUBS: B Kearney for P Lohan (41), D Holland for Cleare (48), H Glynn (1-0) for Akman (56), R O’Callaghan for Casey (60), P Lohan for Cullinane (69).

CRAUGHWELL: D O’Hea; D Farrell, P Keaveney, L Callanan; D Seoighe, J Cahill, A Hallinan; E Whyte (0-1), U Leen (0-2); O Collins (2-2), E Morrissey (0-5, 0-2 f), C Leen (0-3, 0-3f); S Mitchell (0-2), L Reilly (0-1), O O’Donovan (0-1). SUBS: H Comer for Callanan (16, injury), E Middleton for Reilly (37), D O’Donnell (0-2) for Mitchell (47), T Molloy for Keaveney (70),S Mitchell for O Collins (70) , O Collins for Morrissey (73).

REFEREE: David Staunton