Inside Track: Galway clubs’ magical days in rear view mirror

When Kiltormer overcame Birr in Thurles in the Spring of 1992, it initiated a Galway stranglehold on the Tommy Moore Cup. That day at Semple Stadium still lives in the memory. Under the management of former player John Goode, and blessed with top-class performers like the Kilkenny brothers, Tony and Ollie, Aidan Staunton, the Dervans, the Curleys, Tony Larkin and Tony Furey, the Galway champions certainly deserved their big day in the sun after coming through three epic semi-final battles with Cashel of Tipperary.

Kiltomer's triumph was a prelude to Galway domination of the championship, as over the next 20 years, Portumna (4), Athenry (3), Sarsfields (2), Clarinbridge and St Thomas' all went the whole way. The ironic thing is all this club success never led to an All-Ireland at inter-county level over the same period.

Galway champions, however, have been finding the going a lot tougher since. Over the past 13 years only St Thomas' – thanks to Eanna Burke's wonder winning-point against O'Loughlin Gaels – have managed to claim All-Ireland glory. Compared to the fortunes of Tipperary and Cork clubs, Galway should still be grateful for small mercies.

Not since Borrisoleigh in 1987 and Newtownshandrum in 2004 have the champions from either county gone on to achieve All-Ireland success. That's an appalling record for two of hurling's three traditional powers. Glen Rovers of Cork have already been knocked out of this year's Munster title race, while I don't fancy the chances of Thurles Sarsfields against Clare's Inagh-Kilnamona in the provincial semi-final this weekend. Drifting off course, if Banner boss Brian Lohan doesn't recall Aidan McCarthy to next year's panel, Clare deserve no luck.

Having completed a notable title hat-trick last Sunday week, Loughrea will be hoping the experience of their last two All-Ireland campaigns will stand to them over the coming weeks. They will be taken on the winners of Munster – Inagh-Kilnamona have the scope to end Ballygunner's reign – in December.

Tommy Kelly's team reached the final last Spring, but just lacked Ballygunner's ringcraft and cohesion. Are they any better this time round? Kieran Hanrahan remains a big loss, though the defender is getting closer to fitness; while Johnny Coen and Paul Hoban are no longer able to tear around the place like spring lambs.

Loughrea also need the injury-prone Anthony Burns to rediscover his best form; and getting a fully-fit Darren Shaughnessy on the pitch will be equally important. The Galway champions will be desperately trying to become the eighth Galway club – after Castlegar, Kiltormer, Athenry, Sarsfields, Clarinbridge, Portumna, and St Thomas' – to claim All-Ireland glory, and they do have a have a puncher's chance.

In football, Salthill Knocknacarra are Galway's flag-bearers for the first time since 2012. The city club achieved All-Ireland success on a biting cold day at Croke Park in March of 2006 when overcoming St Gall's of Antrim, so they do have pedigree in the championship.

After making heavy work of defeating Ballinamore Sean O'Heaslins of Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon last Sunday, Salthill Knocknacarra will need a much more consistent display if they are to take down provincial champions and last year's All-Ireland finalists St Brigid's of Roscommon this weekend.

Not since the glory days of Corofin – they captured the Andy Merrigan Cup four times in six years – has a Galway team even made it to the All-Ireland Final, and though county players Rob Finnerty, John Maher, MatthewThompson and Cathal Sweeney will be driving them on, it would represent a minor surprise if their All-Ireland ambitions are still intact after playing St Brigid's.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne

WHAT a team! Winning a ninth consecutive Connacht title at Tuam Stadium last Sunday and extending their unbeaten record to an incredible 60 matches, the ladies footballers of Kilkerrin-Clonberne continue to rewrite the record books. They strolled through Galway again and though Knockmore were no pushovers in the provincial final, Willie Ward's team never looked in danger of being toppled.

An early Louise Ward goal put them on the road to victory and Kilkerrin-Clonberne remain on course to complete the All-Ireland six-in-a-row. Looking at the highlights from the other provincial finals on TG4 on Monday night, there really isn't a team out there with the armoury and quality to stop them.

Ciara Mageean

SHE was one of my favourite Irish sporting high achievers, an athlete who came through multiple injury setbacks to be crowned European 1,500m champion in Rome in 2024. Ciara Mageean's triumph on that June night was met with popular acclaim and her post-race quote – “I didn't play camogie with Portaferry to be boxed in” – summed up the Down woman's determination.

Sadly, less than two and a half years later, Ciara had departed this world after falling victim to stage four bowel cancer. It's an awful cross to bear for her family but she touched so many lives with her bubbly personality, kindness, and achievements. Remember, Ciara also broke several of Sonia O'Sullivan's long-standing middle-distance Irish records. She will be missed.

Derek O'Connor

He was the undisputed king of the Point-to-Point scene, claiming multiple Irish titles and riding an astounding 1,418 winners between the flags. Derek O'Connor also enjoyed no shortage of success on the racetrack, but is now hanging up his riding boots at the age of 43. We congratulate the Beagh man on his outstanding achievements in the saddle and wish Derek well on his new training career.