Loughrea crowned Galway SHC champions for third year in-a-row

A POINT deep into injury time from Tiernan Killeen saw Loughrea edge past Tommy Larkins to secure a third successive Galway Senior Hurling Championship title in dramatic fashion.

Once again, the reigning champions dug deep, drawing on all their experience in the closing stages to snatch a narrow one-point victory. For Tommy Larkins, their season ended in heartbreaking circumstances, but Niall Kelly’s side can look back on a remarkable campaign with immense pride, having reached their first county final since 1971.

Conor Gardiner and Jason Flynn pushed Tommy Larkins into an early three-point lead after four minutes. Loughrea responded, however, with Anthony Burns, Tiernan Killeen and Jamie Ryan all finding the target to keep Tommy Kelly’s charges within touching distance.

The Woodford-Ballinakill outfit made a bright start and settled into the contest as Eanna Murphy, Jason Flynn, Kevin McHugo and Cian Daniels helped them establish a 0-9 to 0-3 advantage on 23 minutes. Loughrea responded through Jamie Ryan and Tiernan Killeen, reducing the deficit to three before Adrian Moran and Cullen Killeen exchanged scores as Tommy Larkins held a 0-10 to 0-7 lead at the interval.

The Killeen brothers, Tiernan and Caimin, combined to bring Loughrea right back into contention after the restart. However, Flynn and Ronan Murphy kept the men in red and black in front. Jamie Ryan was beginning to take control in attack for the All-Ireland finalists, raising three white flags as Loughrea closed the gap to 0-14 to 0-12 on the 40-minute mark.

Ryan added three more points in succession to draw the sides level at 0-14 apiece on 43 minutes. Loughrea then edged in front for the first time in the contest with a placed ball through Ryan on 48 minutes.

Flynn responded with two placed balls of his own to restore Tommy Larkins’ advantage, leaving Kelly’s side 0-16 to 0-15 ahead as the contest entered its closing stages. It looked as though the Woodford-Ballinakill outfit were on the brink of creating history, but Loughrea had other ideas.

Tiernan Killeen brought the sides level before producing the decisive moment deep into injury time. Receiving a terrific long-range puck-out from goalkeeper Gearoid Loughnane, the Galway hurler sent over an outstanding effort to snatch victory and complete a dramatic turnaround for the champions.

Loughrea can now look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final in December, but their immediate celebrations will centre on a remarkable third consecutive Galway senior hurling crown.

Scorers for Loughrea: Jamie Ryan 0-8 (4fs, 1 65, 1 sideline), Tiernan Killeen 0-5, Caimin Killeen, Vince Morgan, Anthony Burns, and Cullen Killeen 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tommy Larkins: Jason Flynn 0-8 (4fs, 1 65), Kevin McHugo 0-2, Cian Daniels, Ronan Murphy, Conor Gardiner, Adrian Moran, Conor Slattery, and Eanna Murphy (f) 0-1 each.

Loughrea: Gearóid Loughnane; Alan Kelly, Johnny Coen, Paul Hoban; Brian Keary, Shane Morgan, Joe Mooney; Ian Hanrahan, Jamie Ryan; Anthony Burns, Cullen Killeen, Caimin Killeen; Vince Morgan, Martin McManus, Tieran Killeen.

Subs: Darren Shaughnessy for McManus (HT), Dylan Shaughnessy for I Hanrahan (46), Jack Shaughnessy for Burns (46), Shane O'Brien for Keary (56), Ethan Coleman for Morgan (60+2)

Tommy Larkins: Eanna Murphy; Keith Dervan, Conor Nevin, Eoghan Nevin; Darren Duggan, Ronan Murphy, Kevin McHugo; Cian Daniels, Conor Hanley; Jason Flynn, Adrian Moran, Conor Gardiner; Conor Slattery, Ben Porter, Colm Flynn.

Subs: Ben Shiel for Slattery (52), Cathal Tuohy for Porter (57), Tomas Lyons for C Flynn (60+5)

Referee: Conor Quinlan.