Loughrea dig deep to see off Craughwell in Galway SHC semi-final
LOUGHREA produced a powerful finish to overcome Craughwell 0-20 to 0-15 in their Galway Senior Hurling Championship semi-final at Kenny Park on Sunday afternoon
Craughwell led 0-14 to 0-11 after 50 minutes, but Loughrea finished strongly to run out five-point winners and seal their place in a third successive Galway SHC final. Substitute Jack Shaughnessy made a major impact off the bench, firing over four points during the closing stages.
Once again, Tommy Kelly’s charges drew on all their experience down the stretch and the reigning county champions can now look forward to a county final meeting with Tommy Larkins in two weeks’ time. Loughrea will also have the chance to avenge their defeat to Tommy Larkins in the opening round of the SHC.
Loughrea started brightly and led 0-6 to 0-2 after 11 minutes, with Cullen Killeen, Jamie Ryan, Martin McManus, Johnny Coen and Caimin Killeen all on target for the men in blue and yellow during the early stages. Two Ciaran Leen frees kept Craughwell within touching distance.
Ian Daniels’ side began to settle into the contest and hit five of the next six points, with Leen continuing to lead the way as Craughwell drew level at 0-7 apiece after 24 minutes.
McManus and Ryan combined to push the 2026 All-Ireland finalists back in front, but Craughwell responded with their first point from play through Tom Monaghan, who was being closely marked by Alan Kelly.Craughwell then broke forward and Nigel Kelly was fouled by Loughrea defender Paul Hoban, allowing Leen to convert his eighth placed ball of the half and bring the teams level for the third time.
Anthony Burns, made his return for Loughrea after picking up a knee injury in their preliminary quarter-final win over Castlegar. Burns then struck his first point from play to send Kelly’s side into the interval with a 0-10 to 0-9 advantage.
Three Leen frees moved Craughwell into the lead for the first time after 41 minutes as they went 0-12 to 0-10 clear. Discipline was beginning to cause Loughrea problems, while they were also left to rue four missed scoring opportunities at the beginning of the second half. Ryan responded with a placed ball on 42 minutes, but Leen and Monaghan pushed Craughwell three clear at 0-14 to 0-11 with ten minutes remaining.
The two-in-a-row champions did not panic and showed terrific composure during the closing stages. Shaughnessy landed four points off the bench, while Tiernan Killeen, Cullen Killeen and Ryan all chipped in with crucial scores.
Loughrea landed nine of the final ten points of the contest, with Craughwell's only response coming from a late Leen free. Remarkably, just two of Craughwell’s 15 points came from play, and Loughrea’s greater spread of scorers proved decisive as the champions powered into another county final.
READ FULL MATCH REPORT AND REACTION IN THIS THURSDAY’S CONNACHT TRIBUNE
LOUGHREA: Gearoid Loughnane; Paul Hoban, Johnny Coen (0-1), Shane Morgan; Brian Keary, Tiernan Killeen (0-1), Joe Mooney (0-1); Ian Hanrahan, Alan Kelly; Caimin Killeen (0-1), Cullen Killeen (0-2), Jamie Ryan (0-7, 0-5 frees); Anthony Burns (0-1), Martin McManus (0-2),Vince Morgan. SUBS: Jack Shaughnessy (0-4) for Vince Morgan (43), Darren Shaughnessy for McManus (48), Dylan Shaughnessy for Ian Hanrahan (52), Shane O’Brien for Caimin Killeen (63).
CRAUGHWELL: Stephen O’Halloran; Ger O’Halloran, Mark Horan, Patrick Monaghan; Alan Callanan, Ryan Howley, Kevin Molloy, Oisin Quirke, Tiernan Leen; Darragh McCartin, Tom Monaghan (0-2), Jamie Ryan; Ciaran Leen (0-13, 0-13 frees), Adrian Prendergast, Nigel Kelly. SUBS: Conor Geoghegan for Horan (3, injury), Conor Gilligan for McCartin (37, injury), Lucas Keane for Geoghegan (45, injury), Iarlaith Leen for Quirke (57), Adam Clarke for Kelly (59).
REFEREE: Paul Fahy.