Galway SHC Final: Loughrea complete three-in-a-row
Ian Hanrahan captained Loughrea to Galway SHC Final glory at Pearse Stadium. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Galway SHC Final
Loughrea 0-17 Tommy Larkins 0-16
By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium
Ultimately, a compelling encounter in Salthill was decided by Tiernan Killeen's class.
Trailing by a point in additional time, Killeen responded clipping two splendid efforts to ensure Loughrea retained the Galway SHC title.
Character had to be demonstrated by Tommy Kelly's admirable team because Tommy Larkins posed all sorts of stern questions throughout a gripping game.
Larkins were brave and brilliant, especially in the opening period, but left nursing regrets. A conversion rate of 0-16 from 37 attempts proved costly. Loughrea concluded with 0-17 from 33.
In the first half goalscoring opportunities were squandered too, but Loughrea had the guile when it mattered most.
Late on when Jason Flynn nailed a pressure free, Larkins edged ahead. Loughrea stayed cool and composed with Tiernan Killeen's excellence a key factor.
Darren Duggan, Tommy Larkin's, and Martin McManus, Loughrea, in Galway SHC Final action. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Underdogs Larkins thundered into the match, accumulating a 0-9 to 0-3 lead by the 23rd minute. Ronan Murphy was defiant, while up front Flynn carried a threat.
Wing back Kevin McHugo rifled over two long distance points and Larkins were very much in the groove. Then, a crucial Loughrea burst arrived as the interval loomed.
Loughrea struck four of the last five points prior to the turnaround, trimming the half-time deficit to three, 0-10 to 0-7.
It was similarly hard fought after the restart. A Flynn score nudged Larkins 0-14 to 0-12 ahead in the 41st minute, but then Loughrea clipped three on the spin, all courtesy of the influential Jamie Ryan, to take the lead.
Flynn restored parity from a free and subsequently guided Larkins in front. Killeen, though, supplied the decisive blows in a frenetic finale.
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.
