Three Loughrea stars named on Club Hurling team of the year
THREE Loughrea stars have been named on the club hurling team of the year.
Loughrea centre half back Shane Morgan, midfielder Cullen Killeen and sharpshooter Anthony Burns have all been included on the club hurling team of the year for the first time.
The Galway county champions reached the All-Ireland senior club hurling final, where they were defeated by Ballygunner in January.
Loughrea have won back-to-back Galway senior hurling championships in the past two seasons and proved too strong for Slaughtneil in the All-Ireland semi-final in December.
Morgan impressed in defence for Tommy Kelly’s charges, scoring vital long-range frees during Loughrea’s run to the All-Ireland final.
Cullen Killeen was a key part of his side’s’ middle third. After referee Johnny Murphy sent off Killeen in the All-Ireland semi-final against Slaughtneil, Loughrea successfully got the red card rescinded, allowing him to line out for his club in Croke Park.
Burns was in inspirational scoring form, hitting 1-7 from play across the county final, All-Ireland semi-final, and All-Ireland final
The awards will be presented at a special function held at Croke Park on Friday, March 13th.
Loughrea currently have four players involved on the Galway senior hurling squad which include Kieran Hanrahan, Shane Morgan, Kieran Hanrahan and Cullen Killeen. Kieran Hanrahan and Cullen Killeen made their competitive debuts for the Galway senior hurlers in their victory over Waterford last weekend.
Meanwhile, The Irish Examiner have confirmed Anthony Burns will not be part of Micheal Donoghue’s outfit for 2026.
CLUB HURLING TEAM OF THE YEAR:
- Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025)
- Aaron O’Neill (Ballygunner)
- Ian Kenny (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2019, 2022)
- Joe Barrett (St Martins)
- Harry Ruddle (Ballygunner)
- Shane Morgan (Loughrea)
- Philip Dempsey (St Martins)
- Cullen Killeen (Loughrea)
- Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2022, 2024)
- Jack O’Connor (St Martins)
- Rory O’Connor (St Martins)
- Peter Hogan (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2024)
- Anthony Burns (Loughrea)
- Kevin Mahony (Ballygunner)
- Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2020, 2022, 2024)