Loughrea and Oranmore/Maree set for Ballinasloe repeat after game for the ages

Oranmore-Maree 2-25

By Darren Kelly in Duggan Park

Anticipation is already building to next Wednesday’s U-20A hurling championship final replay in Duggan Park (7.15pm) after Loughrea and Oranmore-Maree played out one of the games of the year last Thursday to force another day out.

In a thrilling battle that yielded five goals, a controversial wide, and plenty of twists, two free-takers stood above everyone sharing a combined 4-27.

Oranmore-Maree captain Rory Burke scored two goals from play, delivered five assists, and registered 2-15 over the hour, including a pressure free from his own 65 in the 64th minute.

On any other day, Loughrea’s Jack Shaughnessy, Galway’s top scoring minor in 2025, would have stolen the plaudits. Playing a part in all three of his side’s goals, he stepped up with a long-range effort to put his team in front, giving him a personal tally of 2-12.

This contest under lights in Ballinasloe swung on so many occasions with multiple protagonists leaving their mark.

Oranmore-Maree, with 16 panellists remaining from their final defeat to Clarinbridge in 2023, came in as strong favourites and featured seven of this year’s Galway U-20s, four of whom are regulars with the club’s senior team that have reached this year’s quarter-finals.

Their opponents were a younger outfit featuring seven Galway underage players still eligible for this competition in 2026.

Paul Hoban’s team needed a good start and got it after Burke split the posts for the sky blue and navy in the second minute. Cullen Killeen equalised straight away before Shaughnessy opened his account on four minutes.

Oranmore-Maree’s long deliveries were telling but they suffered one mishap going short in the fifth minute. Shaughnessy was eager to strike and after his 20-metre free was brought between the posts, he rattled the roof of the net for Loughrea’s first goal.

Loughrea built that advantage to 1-4 to 0-2 on six minutes with Shane Greensmyth, thanks to Shaughnessy’s assist, and Killeen troubling the umpires. Aaron Doyle converted Oranmore-Maree’s second white flag from the right.

The scores kept coming as Burke’s free was followed by Thomas Blake finding Cathal Sweeney for an Oranmore-Maree point from distance.

Shaughnessy had another go from a close-range free for Loughrea, but goalkeeper Harry Keady made the stop. Jason Griffin picked out Bobby Feeney to make it 1-5 to 0-4 on 10 minutes.

The two free-takers shared points before Oranmore-Maree launched themselves back into proceedings. Keady’s long drive was plucked from the sky by Burke, and he ploughed on despite his arm being pulled to strike his first goal.

Another Burke free levelled at 1-6 apiece by the quarter hour.  The teams were all square nine times in total and shared the next four scores evenly. Shaughnessy and Mikey Maher tallied for Loughrea either side of points for Burke and Jake Keady.

Oranmore-Maree then enjoyed their best spell, starting with Matthew Furey helping Colm Burke score from the left; and after Doyle won a free on 25 minutes, Rory Burke played a quick one-two with Ryan O’Donnell before striking his second green flag.

Pictured: Oranmore/Maree captain Rory Burke and Loughrea’s Oisin Sadowski control possession with Jason Griffin of Loughrea and Aaron Doyle of Oranmore/Maree lending a helping hand. Photo: Joe Keane.