Oranmore-Maree cruise into sixth successive Galway minor hurling final
REIGNING champions Oranmore-Maree produced a commanding display to book their place in a sixth consecutive Galway Minor A hurling final, overcoming Turloughmore by 1-20 to 0-10 at Kenny Park.
Built on a defensive performance that restricted their opponents to just three scores from play, Oranmore-Maree’s victory was driven by Galway U17 captain Gus Lohan, who finished with 0-10, as they maintained their pursuit of a fourth title in five years.
Following Oranmore-Maree’s recent wave of underage success, only four clubs currently hold more Minor A titles than the current champions, while Loughrea also have six. Turloughmore and Clarinbridge have seven each, with the latter earning five of those titles between 2015 and 2021, while traditional powerhouses Castlegar (eight) and Athenry (11) lead the roll of honour, having last won the title in 2017 and 2024, respectively.
Oranmore-Maree retained eight starters from last year’s final against Athenry, though county minor Jamie Egan was unavailable for selection. Along with Lohan and Egan, centre-back Cathal Hanniffy also wore maroon this year, as did Turloughmore captain Dillon O’Shaughnessy.
Although Gearoid Hanniffy’s team has recorded 19-121 in their six championship games, it was their defence that impressed most against Turloughmore, limiting them to just one first-half score.
The experience of 2025 medallists Cian Cusack, Hanniffy and Aaron Hanrahan strengthened the back line, while corner-back John Brennan was particularly impressive.
Turloughmore competed well with the favourites for long spells, though their inability to make inroads against the champions’ resolute defence proved costly.
Diarmuid Collins pointed after four minutes before Turloughmore’s attack was kept quiet. A fifth minute goal by the opportunistic Sean Cleare, along with points by Gus Lohan and Joey Cullinane, left Oranmore-Maree 1-3 to 0-1 ahead.
Michael Walsh, O’Shaughnessy, Jack Grealish and Niall Dunleavy all took shots in the first half but failed to add to Turloughmore’s tally. Lohan extended his first-half tally to 0-5, while Hanniffy and Jack Ackman helped Oranmore-Maree into a 1-8 to 0-1 interval lead.
Turloughmore responded well after the break, with Barrett, Walsh and Grealish all pointing consecutively, reducing the deficit to seven. Unfortunately for them, their momentum faltered, as Lohan pointed two third-quarter frees to halt any prospect of a comeback.
Walsh and Barrett scored again for Turloughmore, while Grealish added their remaining points from frees. It wasn’t enough scoring to overturn the original deficit, let alone keep pace as Oranmore-Maree upped the ante once more.
Lohan brought his scoring tally into double digits while his brother Paul, Akman and Cian Mannion also contributed scores. Joey Cullinane, who scored 1-2 in last year’s final, finished the game strongly, bringing his tally to 0-5.
Like Craughwell, Oranmore-Maree have reached the final in convincing fashion, but it remains to be seen whether the challengers will end a 24-year wait for a Minor A title or if Oranmore-Maree can continue their winning ways at underage level.
Oranmore-Maree: P McGrath; L O’Halloran, C Cusack, J Brennan; S Casey, C Hanniffy (0-1), A Hanrahan; E Healy, R O’Callaghan; G Lohan (0-10, 0-7 frees, captain), J Cullinane (0-5), B Kearney; C Mannion (0-1), J Akman (0-2), S Cleare (1-0). Subs: P Lohan for Hanrahan (temp, 40-43mins); P Lohan (0-1) for O’Callaghan (43); D Hollard for Casey (56); C Deveney for O’Halloran (60); C Lohan for Mannion (60).
Turloughmore: R Dolan; J Fahy, D O’Shaughnessy (captain), C Dinneen; J Hession, M Barrett (0-2), B Ambagtsheer; D O’Kane, M Walsh (0-2 frees); D Collins (0-1), J Grealish (0-5 frees), M Hession; R Meehan, N Dunleavy, A Higgins. Subs: M Kelly for Higgins (49); J Pilkington for Meehan (55).
Referee: Conor Quinlan.