WATCH: Loughrea defender Joe Mooney reflects on epic battle with Tommy Larkins
Loughrea defender Joe Mooney described the feeling of winning a third consecutive Galway Senior Hurling Championship as special after the Town edged past Tommy Larkins in Sunday’s county final at Pearse Stadium.
Tommy Kelly’s side have developed a habit of finding a way to win tight encounters, particularly in the closing stages. Their last three county final victories have been decided by narrow margins: winning by two points in 2024, a single point last year and another one-point victory this season.
“It’s unreal, to win one county title is surreal but to win three county titles is special,” Loughrea’s Joe Mooney told Tribune Sport.
“We always say you only need to lead once in a game. That was very true again today. We played Larkins in the first round and they beat us comfortably really, they beat us in 2017, 2019 and 2020 and we got one over them in 2022. There’s nothing between us and that was shown again today, it was great to get over the line.”
The Galway Senior Hurling final was an absorbing contest that swung back and forth throughout, with two late points from Tiernan Killeen ultimately proving decisive as Loughrea secured a 0-17 to 0-16 victory.
Mooney felt both sides brought plenty of physicality to the occasion, even if it made it difficult for the game to develop a consistent flow.
“The pitch and all that was in good shape, both teams brought tenacity and aggression to the table. There were a lot of rucks and bunching and breaks. It probably didn’t really let the game flow that well but at the end of the day you just want to come out on top and that’s what we did.”
The Loughrea defender had expected a stern test from Tommy Larkins, who arrived at Pearse Stadium unbeaten in the championship and having already beaten the Town earlier in the campaign.
“They were here on merit, they were the only unbeaten team coming into today. They are a great side. Sean Sweeney’s and Jamie Ryan’s underage teams were always up against Jason Flynn’s underage teams and Larkins always used to beat us. A lot of those players are playing on both sides, we always knew it was going to be tight.”
“It’s like a drug, you’re chasing all your life to win one county title. Then the second you win one you want more, number two last year was the same again. The hunger will always be there, it’ll be there again next year. Our neighbours out the road St Thomas’ look at the history they created, hunger was never an issue there. You just cannot beat winning.”
Loughrea now await the winners of the Munster Hurling Championship in the All-Ireland semi-final. Inagh Kilnamona face Thurles Sarsfields and Kilmallock take on reigning All-Ireland champions Ballygunner in the Munster semi-finals.
“We will enjoy this, we won’t even discuss that for the next week or so. It’ll be down tools and enjoy this. Then when we get back on the pitch and get back ready to rock and see who we are playing we will give that a good rattle,” added Mooney.