A Galway senior hurling final for the ages unfolded at Pearse Stadium on Sunday. And it almost ended in a magical victory for Tommy Larkins, who had returned to the final after a 55-year wait.
But Loughrea showed their pedigree as All-Ireland finalists and defending county champions, as they controlled the final quarter to complete a brilliant three-in-a-row.
The Loughrea team celebrate their three-in-a-row success. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Tommy Kelly’s side trailed 0-9 to 0-3 after 23 minutes and were still three points adrift at the break. They took the lead for the first time in the 48th minute when Jamie Ryan converted a free, and were forced to rally again after Jason Flynn pushed Larkins ahead coming into injury-time. Galway star Tiernan Killeen supplied the winner in the final minute as Larkins’ challenge faded after missing some crucial chances.
The manner of Loughrea’s comeback was similar to their semi-final win over Craughwell, when they trailed by three coming into the final 10 minutes, and rattled off seven points without reply to win by five. Loughrea have taken over from St Thomas’ as the dominant hurling club in Galway, winning their last two county finals by one point, and edging the 2024 decider by two.
They move on now to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Edendork's Fiachra Nelis. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
2. Edendork want more than just a county
After waiting 94 years for their first senior championship in Tyrone, Edendork St Malachy’s had a turnaround of just eight days before they were facing Down champions Clonduff in the Ulster preliminary round.
With 10 different winners over the last 20 years, the Tyrone championship is highly prized, but their record in Ulster is poor. Only Errigal Ciaran have won an Ulster title, the last coming in 2024.
Outside of that run, the Tyrone champions have only won two games in Ulster over the last decade; Trillick beating Crossmaglen in 2023, and Killyclogher knocking out Cargin in 2016.
Edendork managed what many couldn’t, to park their county title in time. They now face Antrim’s St Brigid’s next week.
3. Aidan McCarthy puts the hand up in front of the nation
And moving on to another hardy group of first-timers, it was Inagh-Kilnamona who secured their first ever Clare senior championship and the Canon Hamilton Cup when they beat Kilmaley a few weeks ago.
A previous iteration of the club, operating as just Kilnamona, scooped three early titles in 1902, ’03 and ’08.
But in Páirc Uí Rinn, they weren’t going to let the season dissolve like bubbles on the top of stale beer, beating the illustrious name of Glen Rovers in the quarter-final and sending themselves through to a Munster semi-final against Thurles Sarsfields.
The standout performance, in a game televised by TG4, was that of Aidan McCarthy with a sensational 0-14 haul (0-9 from frees and a single ‘65’) that went a long way to their 1-21 to 1-14 win.
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He hasn’t been seen in a Clare jersey since 2025. But clearly, they could be doing with him in 2027.
4. Cuala for Con
Just as they did two years ago, Cuala edged out another Leinster meeting with Tullamore. They went on to sweep the provincial and All-Ireland competitions after their last encounter, and will be hoping for the same outcome this time around as they move on to the Leinster quarter-finals where they will meet Kildare champions Sarsfields.
The ever-reliable Con O’Callaghan, who missed out on an All-Star on Friday night, proved to be their hero again as he slotted a late two-pointer to secure a 0-16 to 1-11 victory. Tullamore were four points clear with 20 minutes to go, but Cuala outscored the Offaly champions by 0-8 to 0-1 in the concluding stages to lay the groundwork for their win.
O’Callaghan’s tally of 0-6 was key while his brother Niall chipped in with three points from play.
For 32-time Offaly champions Tullamore, this result marks their latest disappointment in the provincial championship. They reached the semi-finals in the last two campaigns, but of their 14 outings in the Leinster championship overall, they have now lost 10 times.
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5. Fr Caseys end 20-year famine in Limerick
There was joy for the Fr Caseys club at the weekend as they returned to the summit of Limerick football for the first time in 20 years. Interestingly, the club shares its name with the trophy for the winners of the senior football championship.
And after losing the 2009 and 2024 finals, the cup will reside with the Abbeyfeale outfit for the ninth time this winter after a 0-16 to 2-8 win over Kildimo Pallaskenry.
Their long-awaited success came at the expense of Limerick’s six-time hurling All-Star Kyle Hayes.
Hayes was among the nine Limerick players honoured in the 2026 All-Star selection on Friday after their All-Ireland success earlier this year, and was back in action for his club on Sunday. He was positioned at midfield for Kildimo-Pallaskenry, and played an influential role in a tight battle where his side just fell short.
Luke Loughlin in action for The Downs. Inpho
Inpho
6. Not so Downs in the dumps
Not for the first time in this section, we come to praise Luke Loughlin and what has been an incredible season in so many ways.
On 29 April, he tore his hamstring in the middle of Westmeath’s Leinster championship campaign, thereby missing out on playing a role in only their second provincial title.
By 9 August he was back on the pitch, rattling two two-pointers for his club The Downs in the county championship.
And at the weekend he shows no signs of slowing down as he accounted for 1-4 (including a two-point free) as they negotiated a way past Longford champions Clonguish in the Leinster club campaign.
They now have a quarter-final against Wexford champions Kilanerin-Ballyfad. You never know, he could have a Leinster title on the field of play yet in 2026.
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Loughrea rule in Galway again, McCarthy soars with Clare champions, and Con strikes for Cuala
1. Loughrea Stand Tall Once Again
A Galway senior hurling final for the ages unfolded at Pearse Stadium on Sunday. And it almost ended in a magical victory for Tommy Larkins, who had returned to the final after a 55-year wait.
But Loughrea showed their pedigree as All-Ireland finalists and defending county champions, as they controlled the final quarter to complete a brilliant three-in-a-row.
Tommy Kelly’s side trailed 0-9 to 0-3 after 23 minutes and were still three points adrift at the break. They took the lead for the first time in the 48th minute when Jamie Ryan converted a free, and were forced to rally again after Jason Flynn pushed Larkins ahead coming into injury-time. Galway star Tiernan Killeen supplied the winner in the final minute as Larkins’ challenge faded after missing some crucial chances.
The manner of Loughrea’s comeback was similar to their semi-final win over Craughwell, when they trailed by three coming into the final 10 minutes, and rattled off seven points without reply to win by five. Loughrea have taken over from St Thomas’ as the dominant hurling club in Galway, winning their last two county finals by one point, and edging the 2024 decider by two.
They move on now to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
2. Edendork want more than just a county
After waiting 94 years for their first senior championship in Tyrone, Edendork St Malachy’s had a turnaround of just eight days before they were facing Down champions Clonduff in the Ulster preliminary round.
With 10 different winners over the last 20 years, the Tyrone championship is highly prized, but their record in Ulster is poor. Only Errigal Ciaran have won an Ulster title, the last coming in 2024.
Outside of that run, the Tyrone champions have only won two games in Ulster over the last decade; Trillick beating Crossmaglen in 2023, and Killyclogher knocking out Cargin in 2016.
Edendork managed what many couldn’t, to park their county title in time. They now face Antrim’s St Brigid’s next week.
3. Aidan McCarthy puts the hand up in front of the nation
And moving on to another hardy group of first-timers, it was Inagh-Kilnamona who secured their first ever Clare senior championship and the Canon Hamilton Cup when they beat Kilmaley a few weeks ago.
A previous iteration of the club, operating as just Kilnamona, scooped three early titles in 1902, ’03 and ’08.
But in Páirc Uí Rinn, they weren’t going to let the season dissolve like bubbles on the top of stale beer, beating the illustrious name of Glen Rovers in the quarter-final and sending themselves through to a Munster semi-final against Thurles Sarsfields.
The standout performance, in a game televised by TG4, was that of Aidan McCarthy with a sensational 0-14 haul (0-9 from frees and a single ‘65’) that went a long way to their 1-21 to 1-14 win.
He hasn’t been seen in a Clare jersey since 2025. But clearly, they could be doing with him in 2027.
4. Cuala for Con
Just as they did two years ago, Cuala edged out another Leinster meeting with Tullamore. They went on to sweep the provincial and All-Ireland competitions after their last encounter, and will be hoping for the same outcome this time around as they move on to the Leinster quarter-finals where they will meet Kildare champions Sarsfields.
The ever-reliable Con O’Callaghan, who missed out on an All-Star on Friday night, proved to be their hero again as he slotted a late two-pointer to secure a 0-16 to 1-11 victory. Tullamore were four points clear with 20 minutes to go, but Cuala outscored the Offaly champions by 0-8 to 0-1 in the concluding stages to lay the groundwork for their win.
O’Callaghan’s tally of 0-6 was key while his brother Niall chipped in with three points from play.
For 32-time Offaly champions Tullamore, this result marks their latest disappointment in the provincial championship. They reached the semi-finals in the last two campaigns, but of their 14 outings in the Leinster championship overall, they have now lost 10 times.
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5. Fr Caseys end 20-year famine in Limerick
There was joy for the Fr Caseys club at the weekend as they returned to the summit of Limerick football for the first time in 20 years. Interestingly, the club shares its name with the trophy for the winners of the senior football championship.
And after losing the 2009 and 2024 finals, the cup will reside with the Abbeyfeale outfit for the ninth time this winter after a 0-16 to 2-8 win over Kildimo Pallaskenry.
Their long-awaited success came at the expense of Limerick’s six-time hurling All-Star Kyle Hayes.
Hayes was among the nine Limerick players honoured in the 2026 All-Star selection on Friday after their All-Ireland success earlier this year, and was back in action for his club on Sunday. He was positioned at midfield for Kildimo-Pallaskenry, and played an influential role in a tight battle where his side just fell short.
6. Not so Downs in the dumps
Not for the first time in this section, we come to praise Luke Loughlin and what has been an incredible season in so many ways.
On 29 April, he tore his hamstring in the middle of Westmeath’s Leinster championship campaign, thereby missing out on playing a role in only their second provincial title.
By 9 August he was back on the pitch, rattling two two-pointers for his club The Downs in the county championship.
And at the weekend he shows no signs of slowing down as he accounted for 1-4 (including a two-point free) as they negotiated a way past Longford champions Clonguish in the Leinster club campaign.
They now have a quarter-final against Wexford champions Kilanerin-Ballyfad. You never know, he could have a Leinster title on the field of play yet in 2026.
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