Performance of the decade sees Craughwell top the table

Loughrea 2-22

By David Connors at Kenny Park

No silverware is handed out for group-stage victories, but Craughwell’s superb display in toppling reigning champions Loughrea last Sunday deserves every plaudit going, in what was arguably their best performance in perhaps a decade.

Though die-hard Craughwell supporters may beg to differ, it’s their memorable semi-final win over St Thomas’ way back in October 2015 that still stands out in this writer’s mind in terms of comparison, a day when the club displayed immense heart and courage to reach a first county final in 83 years.

Last weekend against Loughrea, those same qualities were on full display. Craughwell never allowed the reigning champions a moment to settle or breathe, bringing relentless energy and pressure from the off. Crucially, they married that tenacity with a cutting edge up front, punishing Loughrea with clinical efficiency on the scoreboard. A potent combination in any team’s arsenal.

Granted, Loughrea might not have hit the heights of their Tom Callanan Cup-winning form from last year. But Craughwell never let them. Every single player in Ian Daniels’ side delivered a performance that was, at a minimum, an eight out of ten. With more than a few going beyond that.

In what has been a poor championship up to last week by any metric, Craughwell’s performance and result was one so many neutrals were craving. A big upset against their fancied neighbours, something the Galway hurling championship has long been renowned for.

Craughwell’s younger faces in Ryan Howley, Lucas Keane, Tiarnan Leen, his cousin Ciaran, Nigel Kelly, Conor Gilligan, and Darragh McCartin all produced coming-of-age performances. Supporting them every step of the way were the seasoned campaigners: Mark Horan, Ger O’Halloran, Alan Callanan, Tom Monaghan, and the human battering ram himself, Jamie Ryan, whose physical presence and leadership helped guide the next generation to this statement victory.

And they didn’t make it easy on themselves, as they found themselves 0-5 to 0-1 down in the opening seven minutes, with Loughrea appearing to be on course to take the crucial two points on offer that would expectedly secure direct passage through to the quarter-finals.

Loughrea midfielder Cullen Killeen landed two of his side’s early points, while their tally was topped up by efforts from Martin McManus, Alan Kelly, and a Shane Morgan free from distance. Craughwell’s only response came from midfielder Tiarnan Leen.

However, from that point until the break, Craughwell would go on to outscore Loughrea 2-12 to 0-7 as the intensity rose several notches and Tommy Kelly’s Loughrea side, who were admittedly missing star men Jamie Ryan, Shane O’Brien, and Darren Shaughnessy, were unable to cope.

Pictured: Alan Kelly of Loughrea gets a brilliant block on the shot of Craughwell’s Ciaran Leen in Athenry on Sunday. Photo: Joe Keane.