LOUGHREA CAPTURED THEIR third successive Galway SHC title when they came from behind to break Tommy Larkins’ hearts in a gripping final at Pearse Stadium.
Loughrea only led for a minute in the game and trailed by a point going into four minutes of injury-time.
County star Tiernan Killeen then emerged as the hero when he levelled before landing the winner from a tight angle on the right after being picked out by a superb long delivery from goalkeeper Gearoid Loughnane.
Tommy Larkins were appearing in the final for the first time since their sole success 55 years ago, while Loughrea’s dominance sees their tally hit five titles.
Larkins seemed poised for victory for long periods and will have huge regrets after a host of chances went unconverted in a quality final.
Tommy Larkins’ Eoghan Nevin and Vince Morgan of Loughrea. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Tommy Larkins led by 0-10 to 0-7 at the end of a lively opening half, but they should have been much further ahead after taking the game to the champions from the outset.
They converted just 10 of 25 scoring chances, including four good goal opportunities, while Loughrea responded before the break with three points in succession when they were six adrift.
The good start that Tommy Larkins craved materialised with a couple of early points from Jason Flynn and one from Conor Gardiner in the opening four minutes.
Flynn was denied a goal by Loughrea goalkeeper Loughnane but Larkins led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter.
Goalkeeper Eanna Murphy landed a free with the breeze 30 metres from his own goal and twin brother Ronan shouldered Martin McManus off the ball just when it seemed Loughrea were in for a goal.
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Loughrea’s Anthony Burns and Johnny Coen celebrate. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
At the other end Colm Flynn drilled a low shot wide when put through by Cian Daniels.
Then Jason Flynn, who came into the game with a haul of 6-40 which included four goals from frees, went low with an effort from 20 metres but Loughnane saved well.
Two points from wing-back Kevin McHugo either side of an effort from Daniels pushed Larkins 0-9 to 0-3 in front seven minutes from the break.
But Loughrea did not panic and reeled off the next three points. Jamie Ryan landed a 65 after first Tiernan Killeen and then Vince Morgan were denied by goalkeeper Murphy.
Morgan pointed and Killeen got his second point from the right, and they were just three adrift at the break when Adrian Moran and Cullen Killeen exchanged points.
Caimin Killeen became the third of the brothers to score directly after the restart and Tiernan reduced the margin to a single point a minute later and the sides then exchanged points four times to leave Larkins 0-14 to 0-13 ahead after 41 minutes.
The outstanding Jamie Ryan levelled and then edged Loughrea in front for the first time in the game after 48, but Jason Flynn got the next two points for Larkins to lead going into injury-time.
They had chances to extend the lead but Loughrea used all their experience to secure the Tom Callanan Cup with Tiernan Killeen landing the two points to win the crown.
Scorers for Loughrea: Jamie Ryan 0-8 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65, 0-1 sideline), Tiernan Killeen 0-5, Anthony Burns, Vince Morgan, Cullen Killeen, Caimin Killeen 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tommy Larkins: Jason Flynn 0-8 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), Kevin McHugo 0-2, Conor Gardiner, Conor Slattery, Eanna Murphy (1f), Cian Daniels, Adrian Moran, Ronan Murphy 0-1 each.
LOUGHREA
1. Gearóid Loughnane
2. Paul Hoban
3. Johnny Coen
17. Alan Kelly
5. Brian Keary
6. Shane Morgan
7. Joe Mooney
8. Ian Hanrahan (captain)
9. Cullen Killeen
10. Caimin Killeen
11. Tiernan Killeen
12. Jamie Ryan
13. Vince Morgan
20. Martin McManus
15. Anthony Burns
Subs: 14. Darren Shaughnessy for McManus (half-time)
26. Dylan Shaughnessy for Hanrahan (45)
23. Jack Shaughnessy for Burns (45)
4. Shane O’Brien for Keary (55)
33. Ethan Coleman for Morgan (62)
TOMMY LARKINS
1. Éanna Murphy
2. Keith Dervan
3. Conor Nevin
4. Eoghan Nevin
5. Darren Duggan
6. Ronan Murphy (captain)
7. Kevin McHugo
8. Colm Flynn
9. Conor Hanley
10. Jason Flynn
11. Cian Daniels
12. Conor Gardiner
13. Adrian Moran
14. Ben Porter
15. Conor Slattery
Subs:
17. Ben Sheil for Slattery (52)
18. Cathal Tuohy for Porter (56)
20. Tomás Lyons for C Flynn (64)
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Loughrea continue Galway dominance in heartbreaking fashion for Tommy Larkins
Loughrea 0-17
Tommy Larkins 0-16
LOUGHREA CAPTURED THEIR third successive Galway SHC title when they came from behind to break Tommy Larkins’ hearts in a gripping final at Pearse Stadium.
Loughrea only led for a minute in the game and trailed by a point going into four minutes of injury-time.
County star Tiernan Killeen then emerged as the hero when he levelled before landing the winner from a tight angle on the right after being picked out by a superb long delivery from goalkeeper Gearoid Loughnane.
Tommy Larkins were appearing in the final for the first time since their sole success 55 years ago, while Loughrea’s dominance sees their tally hit five titles.
Larkins seemed poised for victory for long periods and will have huge regrets after a host of chances went unconverted in a quality final.
Tommy Larkins led by 0-10 to 0-7 at the end of a lively opening half, but they should have been much further ahead after taking the game to the champions from the outset.
They converted just 10 of 25 scoring chances, including four good goal opportunities, while Loughrea responded before the break with three points in succession when they were six adrift.
The good start that Tommy Larkins craved materialised with a couple of early points from Jason Flynn and one from Conor Gardiner in the opening four minutes.
Flynn was denied a goal by Loughrea goalkeeper Loughnane but Larkins led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter.
Goalkeeper Eanna Murphy landed a free with the breeze 30 metres from his own goal and twin brother Ronan shouldered Martin McManus off the ball just when it seemed Loughrea were in for a goal.
At the other end Colm Flynn drilled a low shot wide when put through by Cian Daniels.
Then Jason Flynn, who came into the game with a haul of 6-40 which included four goals from frees, went low with an effort from 20 metres but Loughnane saved well.
Two points from wing-back Kevin McHugo either side of an effort from Daniels pushed Larkins 0-9 to 0-3 in front seven minutes from the break.
But Loughrea did not panic and reeled off the next three points. Jamie Ryan landed a 65 after first Tiernan Killeen and then Vince Morgan were denied by goalkeeper Murphy.
Morgan pointed and Killeen got his second point from the right, and they were just three adrift at the break when Adrian Moran and Cullen Killeen exchanged points.
Caimin Killeen became the third of the brothers to score directly after the restart and Tiernan reduced the margin to a single point a minute later and the sides then exchanged points four times to leave Larkins 0-14 to 0-13 ahead after 41 minutes.
The outstanding Jamie Ryan levelled and then edged Loughrea in front for the first time in the game after 48, but Jason Flynn got the next two points for Larkins to lead going into injury-time.
They had chances to extend the lead but Loughrea used all their experience to secure the Tom Callanan Cup with Tiernan Killeen landing the two points to win the crown.
Scorers for Loughrea: Jamie Ryan 0-8 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65, 0-1 sideline), Tiernan Killeen 0-5, Anthony Burns, Vince Morgan, Cullen Killeen, Caimin Killeen 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tommy Larkins: Jason Flynn 0-8 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), Kevin McHugo 0-2, Conor Gardiner, Conor Slattery, Eanna Murphy (1f), Cian Daniels, Adrian Moran, Ronan Murphy 0-1 each.
LOUGHREA
1. Gearóid Loughnane
2. Paul Hoban
3. Johnny Coen
17. Alan Kelly
5. Brian Keary
6. Shane Morgan
7. Joe Mooney
8. Ian Hanrahan (captain)
9. Cullen Killeen
10. Caimin Killeen
11. Tiernan Killeen
12. Jamie Ryan
13. Vince Morgan
20. Martin McManus
15. Anthony Burns
Subs:
14. Darren Shaughnessy for McManus (half-time)
26. Dylan Shaughnessy for Hanrahan (45)
23. Jack Shaughnessy for Burns (45)
4. Shane O’Brien for Keary (55)
33. Ethan Coleman for Morgan (62)
TOMMY LARKINS
1. Éanna Murphy
2. Keith Dervan
3. Conor Nevin
4. Eoghan Nevin
5. Darren Duggan
6. Ronan Murphy (captain)
7. Kevin McHugo
8. Colm Flynn
9. Conor Hanley
10. Jason Flynn
11. Cian Daniels
12. Conor Gardiner
13. Adrian Moran
14. Ben Porter
15. Conor Slattery
Subs:
17. Ben Sheil for Slattery (52)
18. Cathal Tuohy for Porter (56)
20. Tomás Lyons for C Flynn (64)
Referee: Conor Quinlan (Salthill-Knocknacarra).
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GAA Galway SHC Loughrea GAA October Tommy Larkins GAA