Galway Senior Hurling Championship reaches semi-final stage

The victors that day were Loughrea, ending an 18-year wait for Galway hurling’s biggest prize and they remain on course for three-in-a-row when they go face-to-face with Craughwell on Sunday.

Turloughmore and Tommy Larkins come before them in the Junior A Final (1pm) before a repeat of last year’s one loss for the defending champions. Craughwell have proven their 2025 semi-final appearance was no fluke by returning to the penultimate hurdle.

These four sides faced each other in Round 1 fixtures with Loughrea and Craughwell going down to Tommy Larkins and Clarinbridge respectively.

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SATURDAY

Clarinbridge vs Tommy Larkins

(Kenny Park, 3.30pm)

Clarinbridge are back in the semi-finals after a two year absence and now aim for a first final appearance since 2021 against a team they’ve beaten in four knockout fixtures since the preliminary play-offs in 2017.

In 2021, 2022 and 2024, the Bridge downed Tommy Larkins at the quarter-final stage. Cathal Coen’s charges are the only side with a 100% record and showed no rustiness from a four week break with four first half goals in dismissing Gort (4-25 to 0-18) the last day.

Clarinbridge’s squad have evolved over the championship and Sean Murphy (shoulder) is back and got a full 60 minutes in the under-20 A final against Castlegar. They were, however, missing Liam Leen in the quarter-final.

With only two goals conceded, keeper Chris Callanan sits behind a tight defence that includes Mikey Fallon, Phelim McCann, Joshua Ryan and TJ Brennan. Dylan Dunne and Darragh Counihan are strong in midfield, but positions rotate in this team.

Captain Evan Niland (0-36) leads the attack that includes brother Aaron (2-10), Gavin Lee, Mark Kennedy and David Lee. The Bannons (Christy and Shane) and Shane Ryan are just other options open to the two-time champions.

Tommy Larkins have made the breakthrough and prepare for a semi-final for the first time since going down to Kiltormer in 1982. Their 4-14 to 1-21 victory over Turloughmore was the highlight of an undefeated year.

They’ll now feel free to express themselves providing the pressure of reaching a first final since 1971 doesn’t take over.

Eanna Murphy in goal has Conor Nevin, captain Ronan Murphy and Kevin McHugo in defence. While in attack, Jason Flynn (6-27) has been breathtaking, especially with goals from frees, as they chase revenge for recent Clarinbridge defeats.

Conor Slattery, Conor Gardiner and Cian Daniels are the support act while Ben Shiel must be in line for a start after his final score against Turloughmore.

Tommy Larkins will need everyone on song. Wing back Brennan against Flynn looks a stand out tie; but so does the reverse pairing of McHugo versus Aaron Niland.

Does Lee push up on holding midfielder Ronan Murphy? And can Daniels have a bigger influence against Ryan? Both goalkeepers will be solid (Larkins have only conceded three goals) so one green flag is priceless. Larkins must hold par in midfield which could be the most crucial.

​Verdict: Clarinbridge

SUNDAY

Loughrea vs Craughwell

(Kenny Park, 3pm)

Darren Shaughnessy and Mark Horan are major doubts for their respective sides, potentially robbing supporters of one anticipated match-up.

Loughrea lost Darren and Jack Shaughnessy through injury in their quarter-final victory over Athenry (2-19 to 0-14), but Jack looks set to take part. Anthony Burns remains a doubt but the signs are positive regarding Shane Morgan returning.

Tommy Kelly’s team have taken time to reach last year’s heights that saw them make an All-Ireland Final, but there was no hiding that their 11-point second half dismantling of Athenry showed they are not going ready to surrender their title yet.

Tiernan Killeen has slotted back comfortably to number six in Morgan’s absence while Alan Kelly has proven an able replacement for Cullen Killeen in midfield. Johnny Coen and Paul Hoban provide experience along with captain Ian Hanrahan.

Jamie Ryan (1-34) has been superb, even when he didn’t start the preliminary quarter-final against Castlegar. Martin McManus, Vince Morgan and Caimin Killeen have shown flashes of their danger which will be needed over a more sustained period.

Along with Horan, Dara Zimmerer, the winning goalscorer against Ardrahan in the preliminary play-offs, is a concern for Ian Daniels’ Craughwell as they chase a first final appearance since 2015.

Ciarán Leen (3-46) is their top scorer but any doubts about the support act were erased in their 1-24 to 1-17 quarter-final victory over Sarsfields. Tom Monaghan (0-9) and Jamie Ryan (0-3) both kept the umpires active with Adrian Prendergast getting the crucial goal.

The defensive spine is strong led by keeper Stephen O’Halloran, Horan, Ryan Howley and Tiarnan Leen anchoring midfield. Ger O’Halloran, Patrick Monaghan and Alan Callanan are other reliables in a team that has conceded an average of just over 21 points per game.

Craughwell beat Loughrea 3-23 to 2-22 last year even though the blue and gold still claimed the championship. These familiar foes also met in 2024 when Loughrea prevailed 2-22 to 1-19.

Whether in midfield or on the ’40, it appears inevitable that Tiernan Killeen and Tom Monaghan will lock horns with the winner giving their team a serious advantage. Coen, Hoban and crew must ensure Ciaran Leen’s isn’t granted too many soft frees.

At the other end, Hanrahan and Kelly must take midfield, and that won’t be easy. And if Darren Shaughnessy is out, can Loughrea’s other forwards step up, like they’ve done before?

Craughwell’s defenders will, with our without Horan, but the champions still appear to have more options.

Verdict: Loughrea