There is a familiar look to this year’s Galway Senior Hurling Championship quarter-finals, with six of last season’s final eight back for another shot at the Tom Callanan Cup. Craughwell and Oranmore/Maree are the only new faces at this stage, replacing Cappataggle and Castlegar.
It is also striking that across the past three seasons, three-quarters of this year’s quarter-final line-up have remained consistent in various combinations. That tells its own story - those who have survived year after year have built up both pedigree and valuable knockout-stage experience.
Still, after another disappointing round of preliminary quarter-finals - nine of the last 12 ties have ended in double-digit margins over the past three years - the championship badly needs a weekend of closely fought encounters. On paper, these fixtures in Kenny Park, Athenry, have the potential to deliver just that, with large crowds expected across the weekend to see the challengers in action.
Craughwell v Sarsfields
Saturday - Kenny Park, 2.15pm
If Craughwell can reproduce the intensity and quality of their surprise win over holders Loughrea in the final group game, they will take stopping. Cousins Ciaran and Tiarnan Leen, along with Tom Monaghan and Ryan Howley, stood out that day, in particular. But, truthfully, it was a complete team performance. The question for Ian Daniels’ side is whether they can back up that level of performance.
Francis Madden’s Sarsfields have been solid without sparkling. They laboured to get past Castlegar after extra-time, a draining clash that left several players carrying knocks. Darren Morrissey and Joseph Cooney are not at full fitness, while Paddy Mac Carthaigh has missed recent games due to army commitments. They did look very impressive against Tommy Larkins, however.
This is the two clubs’ first knockout meeting since their famous county final replay 10 years ago. With an extra two weeks’ rest in the tank, Craughwell may just edge it, but a full strength Sarsfields have every chance.
Prediction: Craughwell
Oranmore/Maree v Turloughmore
Saturday - Kenny Park, 4pm
Both teams come in carrying serious momentum. Oranmore/Maree topped their group with a game to spare and followed that up by capturing the U-20 A title after a replay against Loughrea in a match for the ages. Rory Burke is in superb form, ably supported by his brother Colm, Niall Burke, Ruben Davitt, and hat-trick hero Ryan O’Donnell from that underage triumph.
But Turloughmore are well-seasoned at this level. Defensively, they can call on Daithí Burke, Cillian Trayers and Dan Loftus to shackle Oranmore/Maree’s attack. Up front, they have been spreading the scoring load impressively through the likes of captain Tom Quirke, Conor Walsh, Sean Loftus, Cillian Whelan and Jamie Holland.
Youthful energy meets hardened experience here. That nous and cuteness could make the difference for Turloughmore.
Prediction: Turloughmore
St Thomas' v Tommy Larkins
Sunday - Kenny Park, 2.15pm
Few have managed to topple St Thomas’ in recent seasons, but Tommy Larkins can take confidence from beating them in last year’s group stages and pushing them hard in 2019 where the Toms needed three injury-time scores to avoid an upset at this venue.
Their recent form is encouraging too, with strong wins over Oranmore/Maree and Athenry, who, themselves, gave Thomas’ plenty of trouble in the group tie. Cian Daniels, Ronan Murphy and Jason Flynn have all hit form at the right time.
For Thomas’, if they can get the likes of John Headd, Fintan Burke and Cian Mahoney, their hopes increase drastically. While Conor Cooney and Éanna Burke remain match-winners on their day even in Oisin Flannery’s absence. The Peterswell/Kilchreest men have also enjoyed a four-week break, invaluable at this stage of the season.
Larkins, who are overdue a big knockout victory, have faced the stiffer tests to date, but St Thomas’ know how to grind out results. That experience is hard to look past.
Prediction: St Thomas’
Clarinbridge v Loughrea
Sunday - Kenny Park, 4pm
The weekend’s headline tie pits reigning champions Loughrea against arguably the form team of the competition in Clarinbridge. The Bridge have racked up a remarkable 15-71 so far – averaging five goals a game - underlining their attacking threat.
Aaron Niland, Evan Niland, Cian Salmon and Joshua Ryan have been to the fore, and much has been said about their ability to adapt when conditions deteriorate which should surely light a fire under them.
Loughrea, stung by their group defeat to Craughwell, are unlikely to be undercooked again. If key forward Jamie Ryan is fit, his influence could be decisive. With the management team experienced in big-game preparation, the champions should arrive primed for battle.
Clarinbridge have the form, but history favours Loughrea, who have knocked them out in each of the past three seasons. That record and psychological advantage cannot be ignored.
Prediction: Loughrea
