Galway hurling kingpins St Thomas’ head for Croke Park this weekend with their sights firmly focused on securing a third appearance in the AIB All-Ireland senior club championship final in the New Year.
Sunday afternoon’s semi-final against Antrim and Ulster champions Dunloy Cuchullains (1.30pm throw-in ) promises to be a cracking encounter, with St Thomas’ raging hot favourites to progress. Kenneth Burke’s men will be looking for redemption after a heartbreaking loss to Ballyhale Shamrocks at the same stage earlier this year.
The status of hamstring injuries picked up by both James Regan and Shane Cooney continues to be a source of concern for the St Thomas’ management team, but the club’s less heralded panel members stepped up to play a major part in securing a fifth county title in a row.
Mark Caulfield’s haul of 1-3 proved invaluable in a cagey replay, but at the end of the day it came down once again to the steely nerve of captain Conor Cooney and the scoring ability of Eanna Burke to get St Thomas’ over the line.
St Thomas’ have lost their last two national semi-finals, but on the two previous occasions they did succeed at this stage. Coincidentally it was the reigning Antrim champions they defeated – Loughiel Shamrocks in 2013 - and Ruairí Ógs, Cushendall in 2019.
Eight members of the current panel are still involved since that replay win in 2013 when Bernard Burke was the star man in Clones with four points from play, while in 2019 it took a late Cathal Burke block to keep Cushendall at bay in a slender one-point victory in Parnell Park.
Dunloy claimed their 11th Ulster title with a 2-12 to 0-16 win over Slaughtneil on December 4, having lost their three previous clashes with the Derry club dating back to 2017. Manager Gregory O’Kane played intercounty hurling for Antrim for 15 seasons and will have his side relishing their underdog status on Sunday.
In Conor Cunning they have an ace marksman who was man of the match in his county's Joe McDonagh Cup victory over Kerry back in June, with Keelan Molloy and Sean Elliott others to shine for the Saffron men in that campaign.
Dunloy’s last appearance in the final four was in 2010, when Portumna gained revenge for a disappointing defeat in the 2004 semi-final. Dunloy also recorded a win over Athenry at this stage in 1995, but lost out to the same club in 2001, while Sarsfields needed a replay in 1998 before emerging victorious.
With Semple Stadium out of action due to pitch repairs, the much-anticipated meeting of Munster champions Ballygunner and Leinster champions Ballyhale Shamrocks, a repeat of February’s thrilling final, will also take place in Croke Park on Sunday. Both games are being televised live by TG4.
