St. Thomas’ steadfast determination to etch their name on the Tommy Moore cup for the second time will face a severe test on Sunday afternoon in Croke Park when they take on Leinster champions O’Loughlin Gaels from Kilkenny in the All-Ireland senior hurling club final, which throws in at 1.30pm.
O’Loughlin Gaels claimed their third ever provincial title when defeating Dublin’s Na Fianna and then overcame Antrim champions Ruairí Óg Cushendall in a riveting semi-final. Both games could have gone either way but Brian Hogan’s charges finished strongly on both occasions to prevail and will be looking to create their own history in claiming the club’s first ever title.
Their only previous final appearance was in 2011, when after defeating the Antrim champions they were well beaten by Clarinbridge, who had defeated the Waterford champions in their semi-final. Hogan played that day, and two players remain involved thirteen years later, goalkeeper Stephen Murphy and prolific forward Mark Bergin.
The star quality in their line up is further back the field, where two of the country’s best defenders in Mikey Butler and Huw Lawlor reside, while Paddy Deegan, who was a water boy for the 2011 final, is a barn-storming presence in the half back line, with six points to his name in their last two wins. Bergin is razor sharp on the placed balls so St. Thomas’ discipline will need to be vigorous.
Make no mistake, St. Thomas’ will need to at least match the levels of effort and performance put in against Ballygunner in their epic semi-final win on penalties if they are to prevail. It is ten years since a Galway club last won this title, and St. Thomas’ need this icing on the cake of their dominance of the local scene, so there is certainly pressure to produce the goods.
Put simply, their key men will need to come up trumps. Fintan Burke, Shane Cooney, David Burke, Conor Cooney, and Éanna Burke must lead the way, with James Regan, Cathal Burke, Cian Mahony, and Darragh Burke always reliable to meet the challenges head on.
The potential match-ups will be intriguing, with Deegan likely to start off picking up Conor Cooney, but St. Thomas’ main worry may be in how to nullify Deegan’s threat going forward. It is sure to be a riveting contest and Kenneth Burke’s side are warm favourites with the odds makers to bring the total number of Galway wins in this competition to 14.
Elsewhere, Galway made light work of the challenge of Laois in the Walsh Cup last Sunday in Ballinasloe, running out 6-29 to 2-20 winners. With Jamie Ryan ruled out by injury just before throw-in, Alex Connaire grabbed the chance for a first start with both hands, netting two goals.
Declan McLoughlin’s hat-trick and a haul of 1-9 from Jason Flynn meant Laois were always struggling to keep up, while Gavin Lee grabbed an impressive tally of four points from midfield.
Henry Shefflin’s side will now travel to Parnell Park on Saturday to take on Dublin in the semi-final, with the winners to face either Kilkenny or Wexford.
