The Galway Senior Hurling Championship is heating up as Round 2 throws up a series of mouth-watering clashes across all four groups.
With defending champions Loughrea looking to maintain momentum, St Thomas’ aiming to reassert dominance, and the likes of Clarinbridge and Oranmore/Maree attempting to really make their mark, this weekend promises high stakes, local rivalries, and no shortage of drama on the pitch.
Group 1
Athenry v Gort
On the evidence of their defeat to St Thomas’, Gort look up against it here, especially without the experience of Greg Lally, who is suspended.
In contrast, it was a dream return to the top tier for Niall Sunderland’s Athenry, with Cillian Lawless hitting seven points from play in their comfortable win over Moycullen. Victory here for Athenry would likely set up a top-of-the-table clash against recent kingpins and group favourites St Thomas’. Gort surely cannot be as poor again, but Athenry should still have too much.
Prediction: Athenry
St Thomas’ v Moycullen
For Moycullen, this could very well be about damage limitation, with one eye already on their crunch final-round clash against Gort - a game that could still see them advance.
Worryingly, they have managed just a single victory in their last seven group outings, and challenges do not come tougher than this. Containing a lethal Thomas’ attack led by Conor Cooney, Éanna Burke, and Oisín Flannery will be no small task. If Moycullen can keep the margin to a couple of scores, it might provide a confidence boost for what lies ahead.
Prediction: St Thomas’
Group 2
Kilconieron v Craughwell
Kilconieron earned deserved plaudits for their battling performance in defeat to holders Loughrea in a cagey opener where scores from play were scarce.
If they can limit Craughwell’s dangerman Tom Monaghan - who struck 0-7 last time out - and Jamie Ryan’s goal threat, they will have a real chance. Craughwell impressed in their win over Killimordaly, and victory here could set up a free shot at Loughrea for top spot. Kilconieron are improving all the time and will fancy their chances of an upset but Craughwell to do just enough.
Prediction: Craughwell
Killimordaly v Loughrea
Brian Concannon was only fit enough for a second-half introduction in Killimordaly’s opening loss to Craughwell, and even if the Galway star starts here, it’s difficult to look past the champions in this one.
Brian Burke’s return is a major boost for Killimordaly, but Loughrea’s squad depth has only grown since last year, with livewire Jamie Ryan and goalscorer Martin McManus available. Killimordaly can trouble anyone on their day, but Tommy Kelly’s side should have too much quality.
Prediction: Loughrea
Group 3
Castlegar v Turloughmore
Turloughmore were left reeling following a second-half, four-goal blitz from Clarinbridge in an opening-round upset.
Castlegar, meanwhile, unconvincingly scraped past Ardrahan by a single point, thanks largely to Greg Thomas’s 1-3 contribution. It’s difficult not to see Turloughmore bouncing back here, and we may see their All-Star defender Daithí Burke redeployed deeper to shore up what was a leaky rearguard in Round 1. Both sides will expect improvement but Turlough have more in them.
Prediction: Turloughmore
Clarinbridge v Ardrahan
This local derby has seen Clarinbridge dominate in recent years, and their Round 1 display was explosive, in posting 5-21 against Turloughmore, with braces from Joshua Ryan and Aaron Niland, plus a goal from sub Mikey Fallon.
Ardrahan can take huge encouragement from their narrow loss to Castlegar, and if they can welcome back some long-term absentees such as Darach Fahy, Michael Walsh, and Iarla Tannian, they can pose a serious challenge. Clarinbridge simply have too much quality though and will not afford Ardrahan a sweeper like Cashel did.
Prediction: Clarinbridge
Group 4
Oranmore/Maree v Cappataggle
Oranmore/Maree gained revenge over Sarsfields for last year’s heartbreaking, last-gasp defeat to get their campaign off to the perfect start. With a blend of underage success and inter-county experience, they continue to progress strongly at this level.
2024 runners-up Cappataggle will be disappointed to have been pegged back late by Tommy Larkins, but the point earned could yet prove crucial in a game where Ja Mannion and Liam Collins posed problems. This promises to be a tight contest, perhaps too close to call.
Prediction: Draw
Tommy Larkins v Sarsfields
This is a must-win for Sarsfields, who face the prospect of elimination if they lose and Cappataggle defeat Oranmore-Maree.
Francis Madden’s side badly missed the creativity of Alex Connaire in their opener, while Tommy Larkins showed real character to fight back from five points down and earn a draw against Cappataggle. With Kevin Cooney and others, Sarsfields remain dangerous, but on the basis of Round 1, Larkins look to be in slightly better shape with the likes of Kevin McHugo and Jason Flynn to help carry the day.
Prediction: Tommy Larkins
Round 1 results:
St Thomas 1-28 Gort 0-15
St Mary's Athenry 1-25 Moycullen 2-14
Loughrea 1-19 Kilconieron 0-18
Craughwell 3-20 Killimordaly 2-17
Castlegar 1-20 Ardrahan 0-22
Clarinbridge 5-21 Turloughmore 1-26
Oranmore-Maree 2-19 Sarsfields 1-21
Cappataggle 2-17 Tommy Larkins 1-20
